Review: Comedy troupe unpacks the laughs in documentary ‘Asperger’s Are Us’

If you have an affection for puns or off-kilter humor, it’s hard not to be charmed by “Asperger’s Are Us.” But even if what you find funny extends beyond T-shirts that say “Ask me about my fear of strangers,” the four young men at the heart of this documentary will easily find a home in all but the hardest of hearts.

What’s most impressive is that that isn’t the intent of the titular comedy group: The members are making jokes that they find funny, rather than trying to fit their humor with other people’s idea of what makes them laugh.

After meeting at a summer camp for kids on the spectrum, Noah Britton, New Michael Ingemi, Jack Hanke and Ethan Finlan formed a sketch group in which they each brought something to the dynamic. One of the points the film successfully makes is that each person with Asperger’s is different, and that’s well represented even within their troupe of four.

“Asperger’s Are Us” follows the men in the weeks leading up to their final show before Jack leaves for school, as they try out new material.

First-time director Alex Lehmann has done camerawork and cinematography on reality shows (“Project Runway”), comedies (“The League”) and the intersection of the two genres (“Last Comic Standing”). With this documentary, he ably combines that experience to create a truly funny film that offers insight into the challenges his subjects face on and off the stage.

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‘Asperger’s Are Us’

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 22 minutes

Playing: Arena Cinelounge, Hollywood

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