Clear History

Clear History is so funny it made me want to order up some Palestinian chicken.

Clear History single-handedly rehabilitates the word "derivative," as long as the source material you're reworking is anything Larry David writes and stars in.

It plays in many ways like a leisurely, bucolic version of "Curb," with a larger cast of characters and something like a "journey" for the main character.

There’s not a lot of plot to be had here, and the news that Clear History leaned heavily on the improvisational impulses of its cast might usually ward off the improv-weary. But Clear History has a nice, confident and well-edited breeze to it (including a lot of jokes about the band Chicago), with a fun cast that includes standout riffs from Michael Keaton, Danny McBride and Eva Mendes.

The humor's not as sharp as Curbed--one bit finds Nathan wondering if waitresses should really wipe down tables with rags, since they're dirty--and the cameos feel gratuitous. Only JB Smoove earns his screen time. [9 Aug 2013, p.73]

A perverse parable of envy and misfortune that loses some steam as it turns into a wacky but predictable revenge caper that you know can't end well.

It all feels like “Curb”-cutting-room-floor material set atop a feeble plotline and a group of unrealized and disposable supporting performances. Clear History is pretty, pretty average.