"Road Hard" (2015)

He’s whiny but he’s not. Adam Carolla’s movie, which was funded by roughly 14,000 people giving him a little over 1 million dollars is the subject of a movie about a standup comedian who is forced to step backwards in life AFTER a super successful career in television as the co-host of a show called “The Bro Show.”

Sound familiar? Yep, it’s his real life. And Jay Mohr plays the guy who shoots up solo into Jay Leno territory while he spins his wheels back as a standup comedian. He is transparently Jimmy Kimmel. And though Adam has denied his resentment towards his friend (and I truly believe this) he paints this version of him to be brutal prick of a network yes man. Most likely written to tear at his pride.

It’s not enough to say, Adam gives himself a phony TERRIBLE moniker as Bruce Madsen. Why not Moose Carmichael? Or Danny McGucci? Nope, an innocuously bland name. In his life, he has earned some success as a funny man,  but has ostracized his ex-wife to a point where he lives in the garage of the house he pays for. His ex, played by a clearly bored Illeana Douglas, is a shrew of a woman. Very much resembles his real wife in looks. They both have an (inexplicable) adoptive Asian daughter who is 18 and contemplating college. A soft spoken good girl. Yet…no history exists between them. I think, also, it gets uncomfortable, since Carolla is trying his best to show any level of warmth. It is painfully false.

Bruce also has a group of friends he grouse’s about his terrible fortune. Which…David Alan Grier is simply the best thing about this movie. He is doing his best not to unleash the manic energy of D.A.G. but is uncontrollably funny. Bruce is whiny and shitty towards…everyone. Which is the same schtick as Louis C.K. which, at a certain point I wasn’t sure if I was watching that show OR “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with as many moments in an airplane.

Airplane travel jokes…are an extension of his podcast which he complains about. Which, I wholeheartedly agree with. There was no way it wouldn’t make this movie. And, in small batches, I guess you can plow through it, but it is a constant beating of that drum which starts to irritate.

Along the way, he befriends Diane Farr. A widow who has been slowly following Bruce’s career. For what reason? It’s beyond comprehension. Because he’s funny? Because he’s available? Because he blew off her friend by labeling her a fat backpack? That may be the truth, but it’s not going to win over people. Maybe she sees a broken person, similar to a stray animal. Most likely not. Their chemistry is non-existent, worse…Adam getting romantic with a girl while he’s been THIS lethargic just seems…off. It feels like when Marty McFly kisses his mom. You groan.

Bruce claims to be a loser at life but lives in a great home, raised a dutiful daughter and surrounds himself with people who desperately cheer for him. Perhaps I see my future in him, and it’s annoying. His agent, Babydoll (which is a real person) is played by Larry Miller. And the material he is given is painful. He’s suppose to be a shitbag agent with a heart of gold, but he seems just to be a phony.

If you like Adam Carolla, you will enjoy this romp. It’s not completely unwatchable. Some funny stuff at places. Personally, if he didn’t direct, produce, write and act in it, this probably would’ve been better. Especially the acting.