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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.
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.
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.
Only a trailer.
Summary: