For Madmen Only

Synopsis

In this at once hilarious and poignant look at the life of improv impresario Del Close, Festival alum Heather Ross (Girls on The Wall) tracks the comedy trailblazer from “human torch” sideshow act to his influential and contentious rise at The Second City, mentoring such greats as Bill Murray, John Candy, and Tina Fey, among many others. Inspired by his semi-autobiographical DC Comics anthology Wasteland, the film delves into the inner workings of Close’s wacky mind through inspired reenactments, archival clips, and interviews with such devotees as Bob Odenkirk, Tim Meadows, and Adam McKay. The result is a lively, multi-layered picture of a man and his mission, riding on the edges of genius and despair, creativity, and insanity.

“For Madmen Only conjures the messy, candle-burning spirit still recognizable at the heart of so much of today’s most exciting comedy.”
–Hollywood Reporter