Review of Lenny (1974) by Matthew R — 26 Sep 2011

Dustin Hoffman teams up with one of the most tragic figures in modern moviemaking, Bob Fosse, to bring us a biopic of one of the greatest, most influential and most controversial stand-up comedians of our age, Lenny Bruce.

First and foremost, Hoffman as Bruce was one of the greatest casting decisions of this film. He plays his part with cunning, energy, cynicism and reality, truly taking the trials and tribulations of Bruce to razor-edge effect but also including in great detail and care in appropriately displaying the extent of Bruceâ(TM)s darkness as a person and his many foul actions toward others in his life (friend, foe, and family).

Fosseâ(TM)s direction is not perfect, however it is conducted with such an objective point of view in such a documentary style that it is hard to be sucked in by the realism of the film. Julian Barryâ(TM)s screenplay based off his own play is sharp, quick-witted and as honest as the material given.

Though the screenplay shirks on much of the material needed to explain the overall controversy of Bruceâ(TM)s career and lifestyle, it makes up in drama and human connection of all others associated with Bruceâ(TM)s life and eventual tragic death.

You feel with Bruce as these things happen, but at the same time find many reasons why Bruce is so hard to like (his frequent adultery, excess and harsh drug abuse that dragged many of his family down into the drain with him).

A fabulous film that deserves far more recognition than it is given it in contemporary America. Along with George Carlin and Richard Pryor, who would emerge about a decade later observing the same language and hypocrisies of the American attitude and mass media in the world of censorship (large or small), Lenny Bruce is one of the most important influences of the rights of free speech and the American culture as a whole, and this film does him the justice he deserves, though it still could have pushed the envelope even more.