Between Two Ferns: The Movie Review: Zach Galifianakis Makes Celebrities Uncomfortable For A Whole Feature-Length Film

Zach Galifianakis makes celebrities uncomfortable for a whole feature-length film on his Netflix special, Between Two Ferns: The Movie. 

The Funny or Die web series consists of short interviews where Zach mocks his guests on a low budget, public access talk show. It’s hard to see that filling an entire movie, but add in a road trip plot and a behind-the-scenes documentary angle, and it works quite nicely.

The concept and the style of comedy reminds me of a cross between Wet Hot American Summer and Christopher Guest mockumentaries. It is absurdist humor with Galifianakis and his droll deadpan delivery leading the way. All of this is a particular brand of funny, and Between Two Ferns: The Movie hits all the right beats. 

And you can’t ask for a better cast—both the celebrities playing themselves and the actors that make up Zach’s merry band of misfits. It is just one megastar right after the other with in-between bits that follow the quirky Ferns crew, making the best out of every scene.

It’s never a dull moment.

The contrived storyline lends itself to this kind of comedy. Tropes and predictable plot twists fit in well and let the comedians and the improvisations shine. An inventive plot is not the draw here, it is the laugh factor and the jokes that give it its uniqueness. 

Writer and director Scott Aukerman and Lauren Lapkus who plays Carol said in an interview with The AV Club that they kind of made it up as they went along, creating a bizarre world in which Galifianakis’ Zach could exist. The celebrities are comedians as well, playing satirical versions of themselves, either being totally fed up with or delightfully tickled by the host’s antics.

This off-the-cuff format is executed flawlessly by everyone involved. Blank stares from unimpressed movie stars or a quirked eyebrow at an offending remark all add to the overall hilarity just as much as a written joke.

Everything just clicks.

It is fast-paced comedy, both in performances and editing. So quick are the punches that I feel I miss some of the jokes. Galifianakis’ delivery, in particular, is so dry that even a flippant, throw-away line can catch you by surprise.

Butchering well-known, household names is one of the staples of the original web series and that aspect in the film does not disappoint, garnering some of the biggest laughs. From Staylee Seinfeld to Benadryl Cumberbash, Zach’s stumbling and purposeful mispronunciation never gets old and is, hands down, my favorite running gag.

Carol: Some sad news. Jake Gyllenhaal had to cancel.
Zach: Why?
Carol: He spelled his name wrong on his plane ticket.
Zach: What?
Carol: It’s too many As.

Another oft-used approach is the inappropriate question. It is a given that this would be central to the film as that is what the internet show is best known for. Asking Brie Larson when she got her first period or if Peter Dinklage’s last name is an STD are stellar examples of this.

Never knowing how the celebrity will react is part of the fun and adds a little suspense. Will they get angry and insult him back or will they find it amusing? Jon Hamm cracks up at everything out of Zach’s mouth even when he calls him a “hot idiot,” while Chance The Rapper (or Chintz The Rapping Person) is having none of it.

Zach: If your parents had not named you Chance The Rapper, do you think you would have pursued a different career?
Chance: My parents didn’t name me Chance The Rapper. That’s a stage name.
Zach: Any siblings?
Chance: I have one brother, yeah.
Zach: What’s he do for a living?
Chance: He’s a rapper, too.
Zach: What is his name? Community Chest The Rapper? […] You’re friends with Kanye West. That’s the joke.
Chance: I don’t like that joke. […] Stop f***ing playing with me right now.

Only Galifianakis’ mind could make the jump from the name Chance to a Monopoly joke so effortlessly. 

The celebrity interviews are the basis of the show, but the storyline with the Ferns crew is just as integral and is made so by the talent of the actors. Lapkus, Ryan Gaul as Cam, and Jiavani Linayao as Boom Boom have exceptional synergy, giving life to the behind-the-scenes story.

They all have great comedic timing and have given their characters unique identities. With all the chaotic energy that is the plot of Between Two Ferns: The Movie, there isn’t much time to really see the development or backstory of these characters, but they achieve this in their mannerisms and improv’d lines, giving them each offbeat personalities that are fun to watch.

Boom Boom: Turning down a celebrity is maybe the greatest joy a person can have.
Jason Schwartzman: How are you?
Boom Boom: Not gonna happen, Champ.

The way this group bonds brings an unexpected feel-good spirit to the film.

I cannot forget to mention the other titular stars of the show: the ferns. I love how much of the focus is on these two plants—they get to ride shotgun in the car. And it starts with a nice introduction to them: “I originally wanted to call it Betwixt Two Ferns but I thought that was too high-brow for the public.”

Talk about integral.

These important “props” provide an outlet for some physical comedy. I especially like the scene where Zach painstakingly inspects them, much to Carol’s dismay as it is revealed that she keeps killing them and buying new ones whenever they have a show to tape.

The descriptive name of the public access show often comes up in exchanges. Some stars are fascinated by it or use it as fodder to make fun of the host. This is a long-running joke on the show and it is utilized in the movie as well.

David Letterman: Is it Between Two Ferns or Between The Ferns?
Zach: Between Two Ferns.
David: Yeah, but that’s apparent.
Zach: Your show was on late. Everybody knew it was late. It was dark outside. Why did they call it The Late Show or whatever they call it? If you’re going to get nitpicky with titles-
David: […] One day you might go crazy and add a third, then what are you going to do?
Zach: I haven’t thought about that.

He ends up getting four ferns for his selling-out show, Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.

As a viewer, you become attached to these leafy shrubs, just as Zach is, which makes watching harm come to them an exciting and comical element of the film.

The plot and premise might be trivial, but Between Two Ferns: The Movie has layers of humor that examine the Hollywood press machine and celebrity status in a surreal way. It is entertaining to watch movie stars poke fun at themselves or at Zach which provides a nice escape from reality while still getting a dose of reality in a meta kind of sense.

How many films can pull that off in such an easy and lighthearted manner?

Stray Observations:

• I could use more button action. The red buzzer that Zach keeps on the table is mentioned in one scene, but is never used as intended.
• Keanu Reefs: Bill or Ted
• The web series often made a lot of fat jokes directed at Zach. I was hoping that this trend would not be carried over to the film. There are a couple here and there (mostly said by Will Farrell), but the usage is sparse, thankfully.
• Chrissy Teigen thinks Mr. Rogers died so that she could be a supermodel.
• Speaking of Wet Hot American Summer, A.D. Miles makes a funny appearance as a waiter. “My name is Mike, you can call me Michael.”
• I love the bit with Awkwafina. “I’d love to see an all-male reboot of Ocean’s 8.”
• I would like to know more about Carol and what the hell her family life was like.
• Flubbing Benedict Cumberbatch’s name has to be the best of the name-slaughtering. “Benefit Lumberjacks.”
• Tesla Thompson
• “Let’s get to our very first guest ever. According to Wikipedia, she is 5 foot 10 and was born April 30th, 1985. Please welcome our guest, Gal Gadot!”
• The bloopers as the credits roll are a huge highlight and it gives us outtakes of dialogue that got cut. “When you and Woody Harrelson are acting in a scene together, are you sad that somewhere there is a sack not being hackied?”
• I’m pretty upset that Gillian Anderson isn’t in this.
• “What was the marijuana budget on True Detective?”
• “And again I’d like to thank Crystal Meth Santa Claus for being here.”

What did you think of Between Two Ferns: The Movie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Between Two Ferns: The Movie is streaming on Netflix.

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