“There is no greater threat to women than men,” Louis C.Ok. mentioned in his 2013 stand-up particular, Oh My God. “We’re the worst thing that ever happens to them.” In Sorry/Not Sorry, from administrators Caroline Suh and Cara Mones, the stage presence C.Ok. had is described as “I’m fucked up, but I’m trying to do the right thing.” At the time, this made him endearing and like an unparalleled comedic genius within the eyes of many. A decade later, C.Ok.’s assertion is only one of many bits from his profession that has aged like milk, feeling way more self-aware than he ever meant it to be. Only just a few years later, C.Ok. can be accused of a number of incidents of sexual harassment—which he would admit have been true. Yet after lower than a 12 months away from the general public highlight, C.Ok. would return with a vengeance, having made no penance for his actions, and even joking concerning the admittedly true allegations.
For those that adopted the Louis C.Ok. state of affairs, Sorry/Not Sorry doesn’t precisely present any groundbreaking revelations. Instead, Suh and Mones present the influence C.Ok.’s decisions had on these ladies, how dismissively he clearly thought these choices have been, and what the trail of redemption ought to probably appear to be for individuals who have made errors and are hoping to atone for his or her wrongful actions. While there have been loads of documentaries about beloved actors and comedians which have been introduced down by their horrific actions—like final 12 months’s glorious We Need to Talk About Cosby—Sorry/Not Sorry explores a deeper dialog about how normalized stunning habits has turn out to be and if there can or needs to be a comeback for males like C.Ok.
‘Sorry/Not Sorry’ Rightfully Puts the Attention on the Women
Sorry/Not Sorry is at its finest when displaying the ladies who’ve been affected by C.Ok.—both straight or not directly. Jen Kirkman—in all probability probably the most vocal individual with regard to her previous with C.Ok.—talks about how her makes an attempt to halt terrible conduct like this have adopted her for years, to some extent the place she felt like she wanted to lie about it even occurring. Abby Schachner, a comic and author, talks about how C.Ok.’s advances altered her profession trajectory, whereas Megan Koester exhibits how even making an attempt to name out C.Ok.’s actions in public had a long-lasting influence on her. While C.Ok.’s sexual harassment is introduced as flippant by him, they brought about a ripple impact on these ladies that’s heartbreaking.
Suh and Mones well give attention to the ladies on this story, however additionally they interview males who query how they will use their positions to make a change. For instance, Parks and Recreation co-creator Michael Schur discusses how he ignored the tales about C.Ok. when he employed the in-demand comic for his present, and the way attempting to not make this his problem was a part of the issue. Similarly, Michael Ian Black delves into his questioning on Twitter of how males like C.Ok. can work their manner again, or if that’s even a factor that ought to occur, and learns the intricacies of what makes any such dialogue so troublesome. Through that is partly a narrative of how C.Ok. poorly responded to the harassment he admitted was true, we see what folks in his state of affairs ought to and shouldn’t do when it comes to attempting to make amends.
‘Sorry/Not Sorry’ Is More About the Conversations That Need to be Had
Sorry/Not Sorry isn’t making an attempt to reply the questions of what C.Ok. ought to have achieved, or what would’ve been the proper compensation for his decisions, however relatively, Suh and Mones try to start out the dialog of what needs to be the trail ahead. Sorry/Not Sorry by no means negates that C.Ok. had nice comedic expertise, and whereas many have determined to maneuver on from what he has achieved up to now—as seen by him nonetheless promoting out Madison Square Garden in 2023—there’s a black mark on his profession that can by no means go away due to his response. While C.Ok. may need mentioned these incidents have been true, making enjoyable of those ladies, and having comedians like Dave Chappelle and Bill Maher mock these ladies and moments, solely exhibits how disgusting the street to standing up for what’s proper may be. Suh and Mones present why it may be exhausting for folks to current such allegations, particularly when the long-term repercussions can find yourself affecting the accusers and have little to no influence on the accused.
Suh and Montes are merely presenting the information as we’ve identified them since these allegations first got here out. Yet by presenting them this fashion, displaying the influence on these ladies, and the shortage of a significant influence it has had on C.Ok. and his profession, Sorry/Not Sorry nonetheless looks like an vital a part of the dialogue round “cancelled” celebrities, and even the place viewers ought to draw the road when it comes to their help. Near the tip of the movie, an individual going to Louis C.Ok.’s sold-out Madison Square Garden present states, “I think everybody lives with a certain amount of hypocrisy, and this is the amount that I’ve allocated myself.” In a wierd manner, this random comedy fan’s admittance is likely one of the movie’s most stunning moments—a reminder that no matter what an individual does, there can be those that flip a blind eye just because it’s simpler for them.
As a documentary, Sorry/Not Sorry isn’t groundbreaking when it comes to kind or info, however it does really feel vital within the bigger conversations that Suh and Montes are exploring, as C.Ok. isn’t the primary nor will he be the final superstar to have the ache they’ve brought about unveiled to the world. As increasingly more celebrities get referred to as out for the terrible habits that recognition, affect, and significance have allow them to get away with for a lot too lengthy, Sorry/Not Sorry looks like a necessary dialogue about how we should always transfer ahead with these we as soon as placed on a pedestal.
Rating: B
The Big Picture
- Sorry/Not Sorry sheds mild on the influence of Louis C.Ok.’s actions on the ladies concerned, highlighting the lasting results they skilled.
- The documentary explores the troublesome dialog surrounding the potential of redemption for people like C.Ok., prompting viewers to mirror on the place to attract the road in supporting “cancelled” celebrities.
- While not formally groundbreaking, Sorry/Not Sorry serves as an vital a part of the dialogue on holding celebrities accountable for his or her misconduct and the way society ought to transfer ahead.
Sorry/Not Sorry premiered on the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. A launch date has but to be introduced.