Review of Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) by Joel K — 27 Jan 2009

If iconic director John Landis (An American Werewolf in London, Animal House, and The Blues Brothers) wasn't going to give us another awesome movie, the least he could do is churn out SOMETHING that is entertaining and worthwile.

Landis has done just THAT by directing an excellent and hilarious documentary about one of our most treasured and hilarious comic legends of all time, Don Rickles. Pushing very strong at 80 some-odd years old, Rickles is still one of the best insult comics around, throwing all caution, red-tape, and political correctness against the win and attacking EVERY race, creed, religion, nationality, and celebrity he comes across, particularly in the seats of his shows.

There's an excellent showcase of all of his work, either on television shows (the Carson shows are a riot), roasts, television, and even film (never knew he was in a Roger Corman movie). Also, Landis has managed to grab interviews by a lot of top level actors (Clint Eastwood, Robin Williams, Robert De Niro), as well as cult-level comedians (Sarah Silverman, Harry Shearer).

There's no shortage of material in this amusing documentary, which is also very insightful and surprisingly heartfelt from a man who's ironically dubbed as Mr. Warmth. Great film.