Featured photo: Ben Cain, a working actor, and Alex Grossman, writer and director, were friends in Flint growing up and will play friends in a movie to premiere at the Capitol December 7. According to Grossman, being able to play friends in the movie was the “best part” of filming it. Photo credit — Alex Grossman
Written By Tanya Terry
“THAT’S FUNNY” will premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Flint on December 7, before opening at select theaters in Michigan for a one-night-only event. The Courier recently talked to Flint Native Alex Grossman, the movie’s writer and director.
Grossman was always a class clown who sought out the attention of making others laugh. He has performed at gigs around the country at places like The World Famous Comedy Store and Stand-Up NY. Grossman told the Courier, however, he does not consider himself a professional stand-up comedian.
“It’s something I play with,” he said. “The people I consider professionals are those who do it straight for about 10 years.”
Grossman said he likes the people who are great with comedy who are also amazing storytellers. He pointed out writers like Steven Spielberg are not only masters of the craft, but their stories are always top-notch.
“As a kid, I thought John Hughes was the best because, yeah, you would laugh, but at the end of the movie, you would feel something,” added Grossman.
Grossman describes his career path as one involving several “baby steps.” He previously worked as a copywriter in advertising, became a commercial director, did improv, worked in stand-up, then became an actor in a movie.
Grossman feels comedy can help heal, as well as help us feel better about life in the world.
“I believe if you find the truth in something, there’s often some humor in it.”
“THAT’S FUNNY” is about a middle-aged man whose drive to achieve fame as a comedian causes him to miss out on the beautiful moments life has to offer. The movie was filmed throughout Michigan, with parts being filmed in Flint.
“I took parts from my own life, before the pandemic. I got into stand-up comedy. I was enjoying it. I was getting better at it. But I was just turning 50. I said to myself: ‘What’s the point?’ You’re 50 years old. You don’t have the 10 years to devote to this to get great, and you don’t have the time. So, I just kind of quit. Then, the pandemic happened, which made it real easy to quit. But one thing I learned throughout that time was there’s no promise of tomorrow. Truly, the only thing that exists is today. Do things because you love them, not because of some future goal or reward. And I decided I’m going to go do stand-up because I like it. I don’t care what happens.”
That thought gave rise to the idea of “THAT’S FUNNY.”
“It’s a movie about a guy like myself who thinks it’s futile. But when he gets the opportunity, unlike myself, to be on a really big TV show, he drops everything to pursue that. The lesson there, is, if you wanted to do standup comedy, you should just be doing it because you like it. The hope is you get a little bit better every day.”
“THAT’S FUNNY” stars Grossman as “Alex” and co-stars Ben Cain as “Ben.” In it, Alex reconnects with his best friend from childhood, Ben, played by Grossman’s real-life friend from growing up. Alex learns through Ben, who is trying to open a business, how lucky he is to be able to drop everything to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. Grossman said, like his character Ben, he is reminded how much he has to be grateful for.
Grossman also told the Courier he gravitates toward characters who have problems with self-confidence in many forms. Hickey, Grossman’s first feature film, which premiered in 2016, is among these movies. According to Grossman, “THAT’S FUNNY” is a variation of “Hickey.”
Grossman said he’s always been told he is funny and that he should do stand-up comedy, but he has feared getting on stage and not living up to people’s expectations for years. Grossman attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with a B.A. in English. After college, he decided he didn’t want to be a lawyer. He got a job with SONY Pictures in New York in their advertising department. He decided he wanted to write 30-second commercials. He has written commercials for Nike, E*Trade, eBay and Got Milk.
According to Grossman, the stories he wanted to tell gradually outgrew 30 seconds and were more personal.
Grossman, Cain and Nicole Forester, who plays Erin, will answer audience questions after the movie screening Dec. 7. The post-screening Q & A is being done in collaboration with Grossman’s high school drama teacher Martin Jennings.
For tickets to “THAT’S FUNNY,” visit: https://thefim.org/event/funny/
