The first I ever heard of Zach Galifianakis was when I stumbled upon a stand up comedy bit, well it was more like a sit down at the piano comedy bit, where one of the first things he talked about was his last name. He described a conversation he had with his father about how much he disliked it. His father explained why it was a great last name; “It starts with a Gal and ends with a Kis”. After a few silent moments of soft piano music, Zach said “I wish my name was Zach Galifianafuck”.
I recently saw two funny as hell movies: The Hangover and Away We Go. I saw The Hangover three weeks ago, and I just saw Away We Go last night. I laughed harder at Away We Go, but I can’t recall many of the situations that made me laugh so hard, and almost none of the funny dialogue. I just know it was funny. By contrast, I saw The Hangover more than two weeks ago, and even though I physically laughed with less gusto, I keep thinking about the film and how funny it was, and I’m able to recall exactly why it was so funny.
Even though Away We Go has John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph at their finest, the humor is encased in the almost absurd obliviousness of a child. While I was sitting there laughing to the point of annoying other movie goers, at those particular comedy moments the juxtaposition of Burt’s silliness and Verona’s stressed out, no nonsense attitude just didn’t have that subtle ingredient: believability.
It is that very subtlety of Zach Galifianakis’s performance that raises it from absurdist pandering to comedic brilliance. The first scene he’s in is a perfect example. The writing and mechanics of the scene include devices like standing around in one’s underwear and then hugging the other character. These things alone are humorous, but if they were delivered with a typical comedic style they would not be memorable in the least. This scene is so easy to do the wrong way, but the whole time I never thought for a minute that Alan (Zach) was doing anything “just for the camera” and that the character’s actions were those of someone who really didn’t think twice about walking around and hugging his soon to be brother-in-law while wearing nothing but a jock strap on his lower half.
The way in which Zach builds his character and delivers is pure brilliance. At no time does it feel like he panders to the audience, or swerves over the line into absurdity. Even the way he stands in the elevator is devilishly eccentric, while not going to far with it.
Zach's stance is a perfect example
The ultimate example of Zach’s expert interpretation of the script is perfectly represented by his delivery of a single line; “Coffee Bean”.
Stu: So ah, you sure you’re qualified to be taking care of that baby?
Alan: What are you talking about, I’ve found a baby before.
Stu: You’ve found a baby before? Where?
Alan: Coffee bean.
Those lines could have been delivered any number of ways, from over the top to total deadpan. Zach delivers in such a flawless “matter of fact” way that you never feel like he’s pandering, and throughout the film you believe that Alan (Zach) really is just a rich kid with a wonky social compass who isn’t necessarily crazy, just “a bit odd”.
I haven’t seen “Away we Go” but “The Hangover” is fantastic! You are so right about how he delivers lines and stays within a believable character. He is such a great comedian and can’t wait to see more of his work!!
VERY well written article.