Lenny

Year: 1974

Grade: B-

Country: USA

Director: Fosse

Review

a familiar story in that it shows us a tortured artist who struggles with inner and outer conflict. i’ve never thought much of bruce’s comedy, though i recognize his importance to some of my favorite stand-up comedians like bill hicks and george carlin. his story isn’t any more or less heartbreaking or compelling than that of many artists like him. movies about stand-up comedians aren’t generally very good. deniro, billy crystal, hoffman and jim carrey have all given performances as stand-up comics, and none of them have produced a really fine film. lenny is probably the best of the bunch, but it’s not great. this one is told interestingly through the eyes of a fake documentary filmmaker who is interviewing bruce’s friends and family members following his death. these interviews are then interwoven with the story.