Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything

Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything is a high-energy comedy special featuring the whimsical comedian Patton Oswalt, best known for his unique style of humor that embeds candid narration, meta-humor, and cultural references. Directed by famed director Bobcat Goldthwait, the 2020 Netflix special is yet another addition to Oswalt’s successful career in stand-up comedy, solidifying his status as a cherished household name in the genre.

The title, I Love Everything, serves as the guiding theme throughout the special, with Oswalt humorously channeling his midlife crisis, celebrating his fifties, and gushing over life’s seemingly mundane details. The joy he takes in everything he does, everything around him, and his fascination towards all things ordinary yet interesting becomes the backbone of this captivating comedy special.

His approachable personality and unadulterated joy make for an amusing and engaging experience, creating a comfort zone for the audience amidst the chaos of the world and encouraging them to see the humor through layers of an ordinary life. Each joke, each punch line, is a clever intertwining of Oswalt's observational wit, his imaginative analogies, and storytelling skills that traverse a broad range of topics reflecting his personal adventures and common societal minutiae.

We see Oswalt touch upon various contemporary subjects like love, marriage, parenthood, and even breakfast cereals! His perspective on aging, his experience with his daughter, and his second marriage showcases his capacity to weave personal narratives, heartful sentiments, and hilarious outcomes into a measure of laughter and engagement. It is undeniable that Oswalt's performance combines his energy and expressive nature, projecting a deep sense of fun-filled storytelling that resonates with viewers.

The high point of the slice is when he gets talking about his movie obsession, as a celebratory salutation to Star Wars and Denny's, which never strays into cruelty or sarcasm. What also stands out is Oswalt's performance style: he’s openhearted not just about his life but also about his art. Oswalt's humorous anecdotes and personal tales resonate as he delivers the material with an unmistakable authenticity that helps him forge a connection with his audience.

Interspersed within his life tales are his perspectives on trending cultural phenomena, social quirks, and human foibles. He gleefully dives deep into the inanities of our times, ridiculing foibles and eccentricities but never veering into offensive territory. Oswalt’s act never feels forced or feigned; it’s natural and honest humor derived from his view of the world around him.

Wrapping an astute understanding of social proceedings in a layer of humor, Patton’s absorbing narration and humorous metaphors are a delightful departure from slapstick humor or comedy that depends on belittling others.

The singular feature in this special is Bob Rubin, an old friend of Patton's from the San Francisco comedy scene in the '90s. Rubin, an eccentric performer with a unique comic style, provides a stark contrast to Oswalt's more relaxed demeanor. He took the stage after Oswalt’s performance to deliver what can be best described as a high-octane monologue. His bit adds an extra dimension to the show, displaying once again the diversity of modern stand-up comedy.

Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything is a quintessential comedy special, reflecting the evolution of contemporary comedy stand-up- not just a series of jokes, but a narrative, a story, a peek into a comedian’s life which is both relatable and quirky. From Oswalt’s uproarious humor to his heart-warming narratives of life and Rubin’s frenetic monologue, this special is a testament to the power of stand-up comedy to elicit laughter, thought, and connection in our ever-changing world. In these unsettling times, Oswalt brings something to the table for everyone, wrapped in a blanket of welcoming humor and topped off with narratives of life that add to the overall charm of the performance. It’s an effortless, hilarious, and profoundly moving watch.