Starring Doug Benson as himself. Benson is a funny guy and a legitimate pothead. His quest to do thirty days of dope smoking is a fun concept. Especially when to be truly scientific, he has to abstain for thirty days prior to the experiment. And attempt to function in the world and in his rather appropriate stand-up comedian job. Will he be as funny without weed?
This doco is interesting and it’s also insightful in that we get to see different phases of Benson's weed-influenced life. His comedy routines, his health – interviews with his doctor and his therapist. And their impressions of how weed affects the brain.
The comedy snippets are great and relevant. Different marijuana-related points of view. The experiment is approached in a truly scientific method – or it at least tries to. As a viewer, I appreciate this. Even laws on legal marijuana restrictions are considered.
This is a film that covers a lot of bases. The interview with the Prince of Pot is intense. This guy is eccentric, but he’s a machine of exciting monologue.
When day one of the pot experiment hits, it’s so exciting.
Benson tries vaporising weed. And gets high with a bunch of celebrities. He also discovers and documents a number of pro-weed institutions such as a 420 church, how weed can affect psychic ability and medicinal marijuana businesses.
Some really great comedians in the movie discussing weed, from Sarah Silverman, Brian Posehn and Patton Oswalt. But there isn’t as much interesting material that actually covers marijuana.
As a documentary this feels entertaining for a while, but not ground-breaking. Benson is charismatic, kind and quirky. His humour is genuine and he speculates in a mode which alternates between the silly and the complex.
Benson is fun to watch. And if you do like this movie check out his podcast, Doug Loves Movies, because he’s good fun to listen to, as well.
This film lacks expression of a strong idea or emotion. It’s a little bit silly, but funny. With breaks for documented political rebellion.
The process of getting high for thirty days legally (because he's doing it on film,) is refreshing to see - so much weed, so much variety, so much choice. He is able to explore many different methods for smoking many different types of weed. But we never see him do a bucket bong.
Benson looks depressing when he's not smoking weed, but he says he feels fine. He's anxious about the idea of smoking weed constantly for such a long time, but he's also excited. Through his experience, we the viewer also feel intrigued and looking forward to the experiment.
Benson's comedy style is youthful and a little provocative, but mostly he looks like he's having fun on stage and this transfers to the audience.
His comedy and his approach to the experiment are the most enjoyable aspects of the film. However, the direction of this movie is a little aimless - sometimes political, sometimes philosophical, sometimes ironic. But never enough to be meaningful.
2.5 stars
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