Who better to address the enigma that is Richard Ayoade (speaking of- wouldn’t he make a great Riddler) than Richard Ayoade?
I don’t know that I brood. I just occasionally take time out to silently consider the specific ways in which others have wronged me.
Ayoade, the elusive filmmaker, has been tracked down by Ayoade, the author and maniac behind both personas. His ability to be so silly and yet so serious- often simultaneously- continues to leave me both baffled and delighted.
Even so-called ‘short novels’ are pretty long and can take several hours to read, so make sure you stay hydrated. I like to keep an isotonic sports drink handy if I’m going to be reading for any longer than forty minutes. I’ll also take regular breaks and make sure I’m wearing loose-fitting clothing.
He is equally self-deprecating and self-mythologizing. Ayoade is seduced, taunted, given the run around, and possibly impregnated by Ayoade. His escapades are broken up from time-to-time by his American agent, played by a delightfully off-putting Jesse Eisenberg.
Why yes, I did mean played by! This is, of course, best experienced as an audio book. Ayoade plays Ayoade, Ayoade, and countless other characters while Eisenberg pops in to blast dirtbag-manic energy throughout.
The book is loosely wrapped around the production of Ayoade’s films Submarine and The Double (hence the Eisenberg cameo), and there are some real tales of the struggle to put together a film hidden among the absurdity. There may even be a bit of practical advice hidden in there too, but you’ll have to sift through the silliness to get there.
I’ll leave you now with the greatest question every asked:
Has any film ever been made that’s better than the worst episode of Columbo?
This has been on my list for a while.
be SURE to listen to it!