Roxanne reviews You Can't Be Serious by Kal Penn
Reading Kal Penn’s memoir is like getting a visit from that friend you always look forward to seeing for his well spun hilarious tales. From his humble New Jersey upbringing, to his acting in comedies such as National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, to his work as Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement during the Obama Administration, Penn certainly has the fodder for truly engaging stories.
Besides his good natured humor, what stands out in his memoir is his hearty resilience to follow his acting passion regardless of his family’s skepticism. And, even harsher, the ludicrous Hollywood racism slung his way in auditions and movie shoots.
Jocularity proves the victor, as Penn regales the goofy humans loaning him beat-up cars to use for LA auditions, proposing insane ideas like Heels for Haiti during his White House duties, and his funny rebuttal DNC speech to Clint Eastwood’s RNC empty chair speech. Best of all, his affability includes his willingness to laugh at himself.
A gift for anyone in need of a laugh or pep talk, You Can’t Be Serious is loaded with a perfect blend of ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ and ‘don’t stop believing’ fun.