BO BURNHAM: INSIDE
Bo Burnham (2021)
3.5 STARS
Over the past year and a half, most of us have experienced quarantine and many have battled with mental health issues. So, we may be able to relate to Bo Burnham: Inside, a highly personal exposition of the struggles the last year has thrown at Mr. Burnham, strung together by the usual humorous songs that we’ve come to expect of the American comedian come filmmaker.
Burnham begins by recognising that the last thing the world needs right now is another rich white man complaining, then proceeds to do it anyway. This self-awareness provides Inside its relatability and catharsis. There are more important issues in the world right now, but if you’ve been struggling this past year, it’s comforting to see you’re not alone.
Burnham’s songs are well put together and hilariously relatable. However, it’s the insight into his life between songs that hits home. Inside comes when, for many people, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, this allows the narrative through line of mental health and suicidal thoughts to be presented and pondered from a safe distance.
Written, produced, directed and starring Burnham, this production is more than just a stand-up show, it’s a glance into the life of someone who has struggled to make it through 2020 and Burnham deserves praise for releasing it to the ether, and the jokes are pretty good too.