All Joking Aside is a heartwarming comedy-drama film that follows the story of a young woman named Charlene "Charlie" Murray, who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Charlie has grown up watching comedy legends like Joan Rivers and George Carlin and carries the belief that laughter is the best medicine. However, she faces obstacles in her pursuit of her dream, as her father discourages her from pursuing comedy and her boyfriend is unsupportive.
During her first open mic performance, Charlie is heckled off the stage by a jaded comic named Bob. However, instead of giving up on her dream, Charlie decides to confront Bob and learn from him. Bob is initially resistant to mentoring Charlie, but as they spend more time together, they develop an unlikely friendship that helps them both navigate their past traumas and hopes for the future.
As Charlie continues to perform and improve her comedy, she faces challenges such as breaking out of traditional gender roles and dealing with the ruthless competition in the comedy industry. With Bob’s help, she learns to trust her own voice and develop her unique style of comedy.
All Joking Aside tackles serious themes such as loss, loneliness, and the search for identity, while still maintaining a light-hearted tone. It also features strong performances from its cast, including Raylene Harewood as Charlie and Brian Markinson as Bob. The film was directed by Shannon Kohli and written by Jason G. Butler.