Name: This Is Not a Comedy
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 2021-10-05T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Gabriel Nuncio, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Adriana Paz, Cecilia Suárez, Manolo Caro

The opening scene of This Is Not a Comedy finds Gabriel Nuncio, playing a version of himself, standing alone on stage under a harsh spotlight, his jokes falling flat. It’s a brutal but accurate depiction of the film’s central premise: a comedian who isn’t funny.

Directed by Rodrigo Guardiola and co-written by Nuncio, this Mexican comedy-drama follows Gabriel, an unemployed and unfunny comedian, as he navigates life’s absurdities after his best friend asks him to be her sperm donor. The film is billed as a comedy but leans heavily into drama, exploring themes of loneliness, inadequacy, and helplessness—albeit lightly.

What works in This Is Not a Comedy is Nuncio’s fearless commitment to the bit. His performance is raw and unfiltered, capturing the essence of a man struggling to find his place in the world. The film’s strongest moments come from its dramatic beats, particularly the scenes between Gabriel and Leyre (Cassandra Ciangherotti), where their chemistry feels authentic and their conversations resonate with emotional truth.

However, the film’s comedic elements fall flat more often than not. The jokes are few and far between, and when they do land, they’re undercut by the heavy-handed drama that follows. The tone is inconsistent, vacillating between slapstick and melancholy without ever finding a satisfying middle ground. Scenes that should be laugh-out-loud funny—like Gabriel’s disastrous stand-up sets—are instead cringe-inducing, highlighting the film’s struggle to balance its dual genres.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Cassandra Ciangherotti delivers a nuanced performance as Leyre, providing a much-needed emotional anchor. Adriana Paz, as Melissa, brings warmth and wit to her role, while Cecilia Suárez’s cameo adds a touch of glamour. However, some of the supporting characters feel one-dimensional, serving little purpose beyond advancing the plot.

The film’s originality lies in its willingness to tackle serious themes within a comedic framework. But this boldness is undermined by its inability to commit to either genre fully. The result is a film that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be—a comedy with heart or a drama with laughs?

In the end, This Is Not a Comedy is a well-intentioned but uneven effort.