PARK CITY, UTAH Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story, which premiered Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival, celebrates the deeply personal absurdity of the comedian. In seeking to understand her, the film serves up a poignant dose of classic Bamford.
Bamford is open in her stand-up act about struggles with mental health. The documentary provides a direct transition from trauma to art, and in fact the title is Bamford's alternate description of Depression.
She tells filmmakers Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley about early instances of Depression at 10, including evocative childhood artwork and an obituary she wrote for herself as a child.
She was already hilarious even while making cries for help. Then she discusses the confusing messages her mother gave her.
Following those stories directly with the resulting standup bit juxtaposes the real version with the comedy version. Both are true and vulnerable, but Bamford found the way to make it entertaining.
