Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
No-one said being funny would be easy..., 24 Oct 2002
Lenny Bruce was a complex and troubled individual. In many ways he symbolised the paradoxes of the sixties. He longed for freedom but wound up addicted to substances, he wanted sexual liberation yet he was mysoginistic and immature in his attitudes to women, he spoke his mind, but in the land of the free, was constantly in trouble with the law for the things he said. Lenny's words still have the power to shock in this masterful biopic and Dustin Hoffman shows again why he is one of the most versatile and well-loved character actors of our time. Though he may not be the great comendic talent that Bruce was, this grossly under-rated film is not just about stand-up and Hoffman's understanding of the real Lenny Bruce on and off-stage make 'Lenny' a fascinating look into the life and times of the ground-breaking comic.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lenny Bruce was not only first, but he was different, 13 Nov 2007
For a film that's over 30 years old, this looks great. What helps matters is that it's black and white, which is easier to clean up in the post production process. Really though, it looks like it could have been filmed last year. Dustin Hoffman channels Lenny Bruce in a film directed by Bob Fosse. Yes it's a weird thing, there's no denying that. Bob Fosse, who was better known for his choreography (Chicago, Cabaret), turned to directing as another outlet of his creative forces. As for Hoffman, looking at his body of work makes this role in particular standout. I'm surprised that he chose to play Bruce, an outspoken, angry man. After all, Hoffman is usually more the weirdo or mealy-mouthed villain. Then again, what was Bruce if not a slightly weird guy, who ultimately was shy except when he inhabited the stage.
Lenny Bruce was the driving force behind making comedy into the socially challenging medium it is today. The structure is episodes of his life tied together with commentary from his agent, his wife (played by Valerie Perrine), and other important characters in his life. Lenny was one of the original dirty mouthed comedians, but with a point. He was taking on the establishment, and the hypocrisy of contemporary society. He was arrested and tried several times on obscenity charges, for things like using the word c**sucker during a public performance. He also had a problem with drug abuse, largely due to the influence of his addict wife. She was a headline stripper when they met, and he was a young comedian. Bruce died never really seeing the fruits of his passion.
Fosse was an accomplished director, managing to channel some mavericks of his own in the direction of this movie. With its loose cutting style and drifting camera, the film at points feels like a Cassavete's film and this style works perfectly with the subject matter. Because of this, Lenny has a pure authenticity that's impossible to shake. There never feels like a false moment and Hoffman is particularly great (he was nominated for this role.) All of Lenny's acts are performed nearly verbatim, and all the court and interview transcripts are pulled from his life. Given that Bruce was a man under constant surveillance while he performed, so that the recordings could be used against him in court, allowing these same words to redeem him is Lenny's greatest accomplishment. Even if he doesn't know it, Lenny was right all along. I honestly enjoyed this film and like to thank JoeyD. for recommend it to me.
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