Louis C.K.: Chewed Up

Louis C.K. is in perfect form and unashamedly delves into the most unpleasant topics that today’s politically correct public discourse rather frowns upon: sexual and racial minorities, 9/11, sex after forty, child sexuality…. As a white father of two, he knows well what he’s talking about. When it comes to himself and his self-regard, he knows no boundaries. On the one hand, this is something that he has in common with Lena Dunham of Girls, who speaks for a generation twenty years younger (“No one could ever hate me as much as I hate myself”); on the other hand, it distinguishes him from the essentially similarly negativistic internet trolls who conversely throw mud at everyone around them. A straight line can be drawn from the neurotic foundations of his humour to Woody Allen, who, however, isn’t as naturally specific and deals in more general existential, philosophical and religious matters. Though Louis gives us a break from serious issues by not addressing them, he also manages to throw us off balance by shining the light of common sense on problems to which we have long turned a blind eye. With brutal honesty, he speaks for us about the plain facts that we have learned to keep quiet about in polite society. Such silence can be both a sign of civility and a mark of common hypocrisy. At the very least, Louis's stand-up helps us come to this realisation. 85% (03.09.2014)