Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt (2024)
Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt (2024): A Loving Tribute to a Legend
"A loving, star-studded tribute to one of America’s most distinctive cartoonists" — 4/5 Stars
I first heard about the Drew Friedman documentary online and immediately went hunting for it. Finding this film about the legendary cartoonist proved challenging, but I eventually watched it for free thanks to my library card and Hoopla—a huge shout out to them. Reviewing a documentary is always tricky, especially one this short, but this one is excellent. I found myself wishing I could see every single second of the interviews that ended up on the cutting room floor.
Who is Drew Friedman?
Drew Friedman (or "Jewdots," as Gilbert Gottfried affectionately called him) is a legendary American cartoonist and illustrator. He has published many books, and his work has appeared on the covers (and inside) of Mad Magazine, High Times, The New Yorker, National Lampoon, Heavy Metal, and countless others, including The New York Observer—which during his tenure was purchased by Jared Kushner. Yes, Friedman talks about that briefly, confirming what we all suspected about Kushner.
Friedman's Unique Artistic Style
Somehow, Friedman has managed to become both an icon of mainstream pop culture and a central figure in alternative comics, as well as New York Jewish royalty. His distinctive artistic style is instantly recognizable, walking the line between grotesque detail and affectionate caricature. Even if you don't know his name, you've likely encountered Drew Friedman's artwork.
Star-Studded Documentary Interviews
The cast of people interviewed for this documentary is impressive. We get appearances from comedians and actors like the late Gilbert Gottfried, Richard Kind, Marc Maron, Patton Oswalt, and Mike Judge, plus archival footage of his father, Bruce Jay Friedman—a legend in his own right. Fellow artists Robert Crumb and Kaz also appear, making this film a veritable who's who of cultural icons.
As someone who loves art, comedy, and comic books, this documentary—and Friedman's entire career—feels tailor-made for me. Mike Judge perfectly captures Friedman's significance:
"There are artists, and then there is Drew Friedman."
Inside Friedman's "Jewseum"
Roughly a third of the movie is Friedman giving us a tour of what he affectionately calls the "Jewseum"—his studio or home—while pulling out random pieces from his collection. This intimate look at his workspace and collection is fascinating, and I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, I would have welcomed even more of these personal glimpses.
One notable omission is any discussion of his controversial work The Incredible Shrinking Joe Franklin, which led Franklin to sue Friedman for $40 million. I was hoping for more background on this incident, as my knowledge is limited to knowing it happened and was eventually dropped.
One of my favorite moments comes from Richard Kind, who says:
"I'm a big fan of being a fan."
This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of the documentary—a love letter to fandom, comedy, art, and one of the sharpest illustrators working today.
Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars. Excellent.
Official trailer for Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt (2024)
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