I think you're right about the joke - Louie's saying he only has enough courage for a perfect life, but since his life isn't perfect, he's a scaredy-cat when it

I think you're right about the joke - Louie's saying he only has enough courage for a perfect life, but since his life isn't perfect, he's a scaredy-cat when it comes to dealing with any "real problems". But I think the reviewer weirdly got it right here - he's saying in a strange roundabout way that Louie's honest material shows that he is more courageous than he gives himself credit for.