Sarah Silverman’s new comedy special, “Postmortem,” landed on Netflix yesterday, and it will make you laugh, cry, and love her even more. Silverman’s family stories bring her parents to life in a heartfelt tribute.
Sarah Silverman’s “Postmortem”
Sarah Silverman is well-known for comedy that includes a dose of reality. “Postmortem” is no different. It’s a funny and beautiful tribute to her parents, her family, and grief. But make sure the kids aren’t in the room because she doesn’t shy away from some adult humor. Watch it first, before sharing it with younger people, just to make sure it’s appropriate for them.
Silverman starts by sharing background on her father and step-mother as well as her birth mother. Her stories illustrate how close she was to them and how important they were to her. She artfully moves on to discuss her stepmother’s cancer diagnosis and how her family moved through it. Then her father, who despaired about being without his wife, became ill and decided to die at home instead of going to the hospital.
The stories of her family are interwoven with stories of her boyfriend, Rory, whose name she says she has difficulty saying. There’s also a bit about the life span of flies, which is far more amusing than it sounds when it’s put that way.
Should You Watch It?
Absolutely, yes. Sarah Silverman handles the subject of grief in a charming and humorous way that feels respectful. You may find yourself tearing up a few times. But the feelings are warm and reflect the love of family for each other. Is it knee-slapping hilarious? No, but not all comedy needs to be. Silverman’s special is as unique as she is.
People have a hard time discussing death and grief. Sarah Silverman handles it with care and humor so that the pain isn’t so difficult to handle. Especially if grief is a companion of yours, this is a comedy special worth watching.
