(Viewed on 5/18/11)

I thought Dustin Hoffman was one of my favorite actors, but it turns out I hadn’t seen his most essential works.  I started with Lenny, since I knew it would be a sure thing.  The man won an Oscar for his performance (sometimes a good sign), and it was directed by BOB FOSSE. 

Bob, you magical man, why didn’t you direct more non-musical films??  

From what I’ve read, the film, as you might imagine, isn’t as accurate as many Lenny Bruce fans would demand.  It paints Lenny as a sympathetic character who just couldn’t win a case, when he actually was more destructive to himself than the police or the courts.  One does feel sorry for this scrappy comedian, taking care of his kid, picking up the pieces of his life, and just wanting to swear on stage.  I’m not sure why Julian Barry and Fosse would paint a sunnier portrait of his drug addiction and ultimate failure, but the film is no holiday… it’s enjoyable but PRETTY DEPRESSING.  And I think it achieved the bigger goal of highlighting his groundbreaking work on stage and the censorship trials.

I finished this film and turned on my favorite news program The Colbert Report.  After 2 hours of watching a comedian get arrested for swearing being vulgar on stage, to turn on a cable program where comedians are freely permitted to offend anyone and everyone… it was powerful. 

  1. youhaventseenbraveheart posted this