Lenny (1974)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Bob Fosse

Writers:

Julian Barry (play)
Julian Barry (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 November 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Lenny's Time Has Finally Come!

Plot:

The story of acerbic 1960s comic Lenny Bruce, whose groundbreaking, no-holds-barred style and social commentary was often deemed by the Establisment as too obscene for the public.

Plot Keywords:

Comedian | Stand Up Comedian | Heroin | Husband Wife Relationship | Judge

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Dustin Hoffman	...	Lenny Bruce
Valerie Perrine	...	Honey Bruce
Jan Miner	...	Sally Marr
Stanley Beck	...	Artie Silver
Frankie Man	...	Baltimore Comic
Rashel Novikoff	...	Aunt Mema
Gary Morton	...	Sherman Hart
Guy Rennie	...	Jack Goldstein
Michele Yonge	...	Nurse
Kathryn Witt	...	Girl (as Kathie Witt)
Monroe Myers	...	Hawaiin Judge
John DiSanti	...	John Santi
Mickey Gatlin	...	San Francisco Policeman
Martin Begley	...	San Francisco Judge
Mark Harris	...	Defense Attorney

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (video re-rating) (2003) | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | New Zealand:R18 | Iceland:L | Finland:K-16 (1987) | Finland:K-18 (1975) | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:18 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Australia:R | Spain:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Canada:18A | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | UK:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

Marvin Worth Productions

Trivia:

Neil Diamond was originally selected for the title role but declined.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the movie's opening monologue, Lenny says that it's 1964 and then references the MDA Telethon, which debuted in 1966.

Quotes:

Lenny Bruce: Did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt gave Lou Gehrig the clap?

Movie Connections:

References King Kong (1933)

Soundtrack:

Tempus Fugit

Freedom Does Not Always Work.

The life of late stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce (played by Oscar-nominee Dustin Hoffman) is the focus of "Lenny", a dark and disturbing staircase of horrors from director Bob Fosse (Oscar-nominated). In the late-1950s and early-1960s the titled character defied convention by getting in front of nightclub crowds and saying anything and everything that was on his mind. He cursed profusely, talked about the U.S. government, made fun of taboo subjects (homosexuality, drug use, etc.) and basically upset every group and racial minority you can think of. Through the film Hoffman has strange views on every topic that dominated the time period and marries a club stripper (Valerie Perrine in her Oscar-nominated role) that has an intense drug abuse problem herself. The film is told in stunning flashbacks that are displayed in a documentary style by those who knew the comedian best (Lenny Bruce apparently overdosed on drugs intentionally to kill himself). Filmed entirely in black-and-white, "Lenny" is a terrifying story about how freedom is not always an option in certain circles. The film is full of intense sexual situations, drug abuse and constant adult language. Younger audiences have no business viewing this production, but all those of a mature age should give "Lenny" a try. The film stands very strong with the other big films of 1974 ("The Godfather, Part II" and "Chinatown" most notably). 5 stars out of 5.