John Purcell Ups the Meta Game

Last week, we covered a straight mockumentary – a clearly silly premise sold as something real. This week, we’re turning our focus to a project that’s a bit more layered. From the mind of John Purcell comes a piece about…the body of John Purcell.

What is on the surface a straightforward mockumentary quickly reveals itself to be a real commentary on the silliness of physical comedy…or is it? Well, it’s hard to say for sure, because Purcell’s so adept at making fun of physical comedy by doing physical comedy. In fact, there are more laughs born from the slapsticky work he’s mocking than the mocking itself, and, by the film’s end, it’s impossible to discern where the jeering ends and the commentary on physical comedy as a still-worthwhile form begins. Regardless, he makes his point. Or…does he? He does.

Luke is an executive producer at CollegeHumor and a watcher of many web videos. Send him yours @LKellyClyne.

John Purcell Ups the Meta Game