Contributor Darren Richman

Couple in 1940s style clothing, woman with wavy blonde hair, man in shirt and tie, standing close together indoors.
In Praise Of

Double Indemnity and the banality of evil

by Darren Richman

The shadow of the Holocaust and the filmmaker's personal experience with it looms large across Billy Wilder's most influential and enduring work.
Illustration of a young man with curly hair, glasses, and a red cap, wearing a green and blue checkered shirt against an orange and yellow background.
Interviews

Jesse Eisenberg: ‘Is our modern pain valid?’

by Darren Richman

The actor and writer/director of A Real Pain discusses his Polish heritage and the tricky prospect of filming scenes for a comedy drama in a concentration camp.
Two people in casual clothing sitting together. A couple lying on a bed, embracing.

How Hollywood buried the original version of Meet the Parents

by Darren Richman

In 1992 Greg Glienna released a film about a man meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time. Eight years later, a Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro comedy with the same premise made a fortune. What happened?
Man in a suit, sitting at a desk in an office, with a computer screen and other office items visible.
In Praise Of

El vino did flow – How The Office achieved sitcom perfection

by Darren Richman

Twenty years on, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s landmark show reminds us that a good idea is a good idea forever.
Four people, two men and two women, posing for a group photograph in a dimly lit interior setting. The men are wearing casual attire, one in a red shirt and the other in a lighter coloured shirt. The women are wearing light-coloured clothing. The composition appears to be informal and casual.
Not Movies

Seinfeld at 30 – The show about nothing that changed everything

by Darren Richman

How Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, two stand-up comedians with contrasting worldviews, made the most influential sitcom of the ’90s.
Man in suit standing in front of BBC entrance.

Jurassic Park! The not-so textbook evolution of Alan Partridge

by Darren Richman

As Steve Coogan’s comedy alias returns to the BBC, the character’s co-creator and scriptwriters reflect on the journey so far.
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How we documented my grandfather’s Holocaust survival story

by Darren Richman

Capturing Zigi Shipper’s testimony of the Nazis’ atrocities is the most important thing I’ve ever done.
Diners laughing at diner counter, people chatting and dining.
In Praise Of

Why The Apartment is my favourite Christmas movie

by Darren Richman

Billy Wilder’s classic 1960 comedy is the perfect film to get you in the festive spirit.
Two stern-looking men in black cloaks against a dark background.
In Praise Of

The bonkers, boundary pushing comic legacy of Mel Brooks

by Darren Richman

With Young Frankenstein now a major stage show, we reflect on the career of a living legend of comedy.
Older man with grey hair and glasses wearing a navy blue jacket, standing in a doorway with a stained glass window.
Not Movies

How Curb Your Enthusiasm reinvented the TV sitcom

by Darren Richman

Larry David’s semi-improvised comedy paved the way for an entire new generation of shows.

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