Exporting Raymond
Angelika Film Centre, May 19, 2011
Movie #30 for 2011
In 2005, the popular American sit-com “Everybody Loves Raymond” wrapped after nine seasons. (Nine! I never saw one single episode!) In 2008, the show’s network and creator PHIL ROSENTHAL (pictured, looking nervous) were approached by the Russians* to develop their own version of the show.
Rosenthal - sometimes looking like Liam Neeson’s tense, weedy and less handsome little brother - took a documentary film crew along when he went to Moscow to help the burgeoning Russian comedy network adapt “Raymond”. It quickly seems clear that his assumptions about what is universal and what is funny - fervently held ideas that are the foundation of his show - do not translate into Russian. Or do they?
Rosenthal is often righteous and passive-aggressive, but is also frequently funny. And the documentary is as much about the creative process as it is about cultural difference. The Russian’s create their TV show - “Everybody Loves Kostya” - under less than salubrious conditions. They also do it under the nose of the judgmental, cranky and often bewildered Rosenthal. But then, the Russian writers, directors and costumers are often as righteous and belligerent as he is, which is even funnier.
After seeing the film, I happened to read an article in New York magazine about show runners. The magazine asked a bunch of oh-so-hot-right-now creator/producer/writer-types all kinds of interesting questions about the show they wish they’d created, the best rejected pitch they ever made and so on. They also asked what it takes to be a good show runner. Kurt Sutter, of “Sons of Anarchy” said, “Be willing to compromise on your execution but not on your vision. And try not to be a dick in the process”. It crystallized for me what was so grating about Rosenthal in Exporting Raymond. He was doing his job as Sutter would have it, staunchly defending his vision, while being sympathetic to the constraints of delivery. But he was kind of a dick about it.
But what’s not awesome for the Russians, is pretty fun for us, and at least Rosenthal is prepared to honestly show the impact of his lack of cultural nous had on the act of creativity.
* Is that not the greatest phrase ever?
