Take My Nose...Please!

Take My Nose… Please! is a fascinating, hilarious, and occasionally sobering 2017 documentary directed by 89-year-old first-time filmmaker, Joan Kron. The film dives into the world of comedy and cosmetic surgery, two spheres portrayed often as polar opposites. Known largely for her prior work as a journalist, Joan Kron's debut feature is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The movie revolves around the lives of two main central characters - Jackie Hoffman, an Emmy-nominated character actress and stand-up comedian, and Emily Askin, an up-and-coming improv performer. Both women are considering rhinoplasty - the former is hesitant because of fear of losing her identity, while the latter sees it as a tool to further her career. With unflinching honesty, they expose their innermost thoughts on their looks and how, they believe, their physical appearances define the way the world perceives them.

Interspersed with their stories are insights from notable funny women who have taken the plunge into plastic surgery. This includes commentary from icons like Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers, who made cosmetic surgery a part of their comedy routines. Also included are scholarly perspectives on why women, who make others laugh, feel compelled to alter their appearance. Among the scholars featured in the film is Jacquelyn Lynn Foltyn, Ph.D., who provides a sociological perspective on the matter, highlighting the societal pressures that women, especially those in the comedic scene, face in regards to their appearance.

What’s interesting about Take My Nose… Please! is how it finesse the delicate balance of humor and seriousness. On one hand, the film uses comedy as an effective medium to explore the deeply sensitive and emotional topic of body image and self-esteem. The personal narratives are not just about their struggles with their appearances but are also balanced with their own sense of humor about their situation. On the other hand, it also bluntly addresses the societal pressures on women to look a certain way to be considered attractive or successful, which is more pronounced in the entertainment industry.

Judy Gold, another renowned comedian in the film, provides some of the commentary and the historical context around the place of cosmetic surgery in the life and careers of female comedians. However, the focus remains firmly on Jackie and Emily, their respective journeys and their ultimate decisions about surgery. With humor and poignancy, Kron captures their raw and unfiltered contemplations, discussions with family and friends, consultations with surgeons, and their fears and hopes leading up to the final decision.

Take My Nose…Please! also examines the paradox of female comedians and their complicated relationship with beauty. Often expected to cavort in self-deprecating humor about their supposed odd appearances, they, like all other women, are under the pressures of an industry that prizes youth and beauty above all. It’s a twisted irony that the film lays bare. While it’s an industry that allows these women to make jokes about their 'odd' looks, it also silently encourages them to fix those imperfections with cosmetic surgery.

Technically, the film effortlessly weaves together interviews, archival materials, and observational footage. Moreover, it benefits from Kron's hands-off approach, allowing the women to tell their own stories in their own words without any judgment or sensationalism.

By taking a lighthearted approach to its delicate subject matter, Take My Nose… Please! makes an entertaining yet insightful watch. It is not just a study on the history of women, comedy, and plastic surgery but provides a deeper understanding of the personal stories and dilemmas concerning how women view themselves within the society. Joan Kron has courageously managed to pull back the curtain on a rarely discussed topic, creating an essential dialogue about beauty, self-worth, and the pressure to conform to societal norms.

Overall, the documentary is a must-watch for those interested in exploring the intersection of physical appearances, personal identity, and comedy – all narrated in the raw, honest, and humorous voices of the women who live it.