Review of American: The Bill Hicks Story (2010) by Frankie F — 20 Feb 2011

Bill Hicks is the kind of American we wish there were more of. He's funny, charming, brave and sincere. He doesn't like flag-waving rednecks, marketing guys, war-mongering, anti-smoking zealots, fundamentalist religions, bullies, nuclear testing, sexist beer & coke ads, etc. He does like tolerance, friends, family, making people laugh, magic mushrooms and rock music.

Probably you've barely heard of him because he wasn't a hit in the mainstream, but he did achieve massive fame in the UK and was an underground legend in the US from his teens until his untimely death 10 years ago.

This is a very beautifully crafted documentary about his extraordinary life and challenging sense of humour. There are many wonderfully animated photographs, lots of hilarious archival clips and warm interviews with his family and friends.

There is so much truly original humour in this film, you'll be telling Bill Hicks jokes for the rest of your life. "Why can't the US target smart bananas on the starving hordes of the world?" he asks. "Why don't we hear good news stories about LSD?" Treat yourself to a heart-warming dose of the outlaw comic.