Review of The Aristocrats (2005) by Alex S — 17 Sep 2008

I firmly believe that anyone who thinks that they have a sense of humor should see this movie - not as a barometer for what makes you laugh and what offends you, but as a film that celebrates the act of laughing and enjoying unrestrained creativity.

And oh, is this unrestrained. Disgusting acts that no review should ever mention (not even this one) are described in great detail by a wide range of comedians and actors as they each offer their own interpretation of the world's most vile joke.

Penn Jillette guides us through this quasi-documentary that feels patched together with abandon and makes you wonder what was left on the cutting room floor (indeed, I would say the main flaw of this film is that it isn't long enough).

Make no mistake, this is repulsive verbal jazz but it is also hilarious. The easily offended will never see the end of it and that is a shame as the message of laughter is a universal one. Granted, it is one with Bob Saget destroying esteemed childhood memories in this case, but it is sitll laughter.

And for the record, Martin Mull tells the best version of the joke.