Synopsis:  Some foolishly have the belief that “improvising” is simply “making things up.”  To a degree, that’s true.  To be able to do that and have the New York Times describe you as, “…masters of long form improve” means you’re going a little further than simply making a few off the cuff jokes.  TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi have become living legends in their field.  Their performances of entirely improvised, character-driven, often hilarious and wholly original one-hour plays have mesmerized audiences worldwide.  Exploring the folds of faith that underline their relationship and the transcendental forces that govern their improvisation, Trust Us This is All Made Up features an unforgettable live performance recorded at New York’s Barrow Street Theater.  Students and appreciators of improvisational performance will be astounded.  Those less experienced with improvised theater will find this to be the perfect primer.  Regardless, you’ll be left in awe of what these two can do. 

Review:  Trust Us This Is All Made Up is a difficult film to review.  On the one hand, the film features a brilliant improvisational show put on by TJ Jagadowsi and Dave Pasquesi.  The two are hilarious and superbly talented at the difficult art of improvisation. 

On the other hand, there’s not much more to the film.  We get to know TJ and Dave a little bit as the film shows a “day in the life” prior to the show, but the main focus of the film is the show.  There’s not a thing wrong with the film, but there’s not much meat in it either.  It would be like filming a play and then presenting the film as a documentary.  It may technically qualify as a documentary, but it doesn’t really meet the spirit of what a documentary film should be. 

The film was enjoyable and the improv done by TJ and Dave is very funny, but Trust Us This Is All Made Up is a rather thin example of a documentary.

 (3.0 out of 5.0)

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