Steve Martin is a comic genius. He writes about someone he once knew, namely himself. He writes about a past life filled with confusion and illegal aromas. He writes about his history with the sincerity of a comedian who lays it all out before 10 drunken bastards or 45,000 delirious fans.
Steve argues that philosophy led him to contemplate the big realities of life, but that philosophy was the gateway drug to performance. From idiotic lyrics to brilliant and enduring bits, Martin shows the background of a legend; such background is flattering at times, but it is mostly distilled to who you know and being at the right place at the right time.
But until stardom reaches him, in the meanwhile, he argues with life; the life that gave him an unresponsive father whom he only reconciled at his death bed and a life that gave him memorable car trips across the country with others who would become themselves enthralling figures in the history of music, writing, and comedy.
“Born Standing Up” is a trip into the promiscuity of the 60’s, the pursuit of meaning, and ultimately the purposelessness of fame apart from the one who gives us all joy.
