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LENNY

Review by Gordon Justesen

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Jan Miner, Stanley Beck, Gary Morton
Director: Bob Fosse
Audio: English Dolby Mono, French Dolby Mono
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, Standard 1.33:1
Studio: MGM
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Length: 111 Minutes
Release Date: April 16, 2002

“No, you don't have to applaud. Really, it's weird, it's enough that you're just listening. You know, it's so strange, I used to get fired for doing this, and like, now I'm getting a following, right?”

Film ****

Before the days of Larry Flynt's extraneous court battles over the silly issue of the content of the magazine he was running, Lenny Bruce was perhaps the only living individual who promoted what the world really wanted hear, only to be prevented by the so-called laws of censorship. Bruce died in 1966, and his death to this day remains a staggering mystery, though many have concluded that is was most definitely drug-related. Chronicling the life of the controversial comic is the outstanding biopic, Lenny, directed with an original biographical touch by the late director, Bob Fosse, and featuring one Dustin Hoffman's greatest screen performances to date.

The biography of Lenny Bruce is actually recalled in the film through the people who knew him best, including his wife, Honey (Valerie Perrine), his mother and those affiliated with him in the business. We are introduced to Bruce from his days as a struggling, crowd-booing amateur, much like Richard Pryor in his early days, to hardcore political comedian. His talent grew to be that of what many considered to be shock value, but that's not to say that what he talked about wasn't indeed the truth. Bruce touched all kinds of ground with his views on sex, racism, and the overall conflicted politics of the early 60s.

With the film Lenny, we also get a glimpse of the man behind the act, which is that of a normal, ordinary guy. He meets his future wife, Honey, very early in his career, when she was making money as a nightly stripper. They soon get married, and eventually child. Even though they appear to be a happy couple, Honey starts dabbling in drugs, and it puts the marriage into a fractured corner.

I got the same kick out of watching this film as I did watching Milos Forman's brilliant film, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, because both films present to us a figure that we are supposed to be appalled by, at least that's what we are told to be, and both films also indeed argue the for the same kinds of rights as written in this country's very own Constitution, particularly that of the freedom of speech. It helps to be in favor of these rights, like I truly am, to truly appreciate films like this. At the heart of Fosse's film is a heartbreaking moment when Lenny, in court for the umpteenth time on another charge of obscenity, pleads with the judge to not label the very words he uses illegal. It is the pivotal scene that truly signifies the whole point of the film.

Lenny is one of the most important film biographies I've ever experienced. It perfectly chronicles the life of a controversial man and shows within his known celebrity reveals the comic's true purpose. It's a monumental film, highlighted by a terrific performance, and one of many, by Dustin Hoffman.

Video ***

Lenny was a rare occasion, a film in the mid-70s that was shot in black and white (which enhances the authenticity of the film extremely well). MGM has applied a good touch with their anamorphic presentation here, which comes off as more impressive than I would've ever thought of it to be. The picture quality is that of mostly sharp and thoroughly clear. Detections of grain bits here and there, but other than that, this is a superb presentation of a nearly 30-year-old film.

Audio **

Not much I can say about this audio track, which is solely available in mono. Dialogue comes through as clear as can be, but that's all I can say about this particular track.

Features *

Only a trailer.

Summary:

Lenny is indeed an important movie. Films about the struggle to garner the appreciation of freedom of speech are vital to our existence alone, as with the given right itself, and that alone, along with Hoffman's amazing work, makes this a high recommendation.