Lenny Bruce: Dustin Hoffman in the 1974 Bob Fosse movie. Lenny Bruce movie review: Polemical stand-up comedian merited less timid biopic (Oscar Movie Series) Bob Fosse's 1974 biopic Lenny has two chief assets: the ever relevant free speech issues it raises and the riveting presence of Valerie Perrine. The film itself, however, is only sporadically thought-provoking or emotionally gripping; in fact, Lenny is a major artistic letdown, considering all the talent involved and the fertile material at hand. After all, much more should have come out of a joint effort between director Fosse, fresh off his Academy Award win for Cabaret; playwright-screenwriter Julian Barry, whose stage version of Lenny earned Cliff Gorman a Tony Award; two-time Best Actor Oscar nominee Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy); and cinematographer Bruce Surtees (Play Misty for Me, Blume in Love). Their larger-than-life subject? Lenny Bruce, the stand-up comedian who became one of the...
- 6/5/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Chicago – “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked…” So began the reading of Allen Ginsberg’s poem that rattled society, the very title of which is the inspiration for the new film, “Howl,” featuring James Franco, Jon Hamm and Mary Louise-Parker.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The poem Howl is a primal scream, an attempt to wake up a moribund post-WW2 America to the sins of its conquering ways. It is a shot across the bow of the capitalist USA, both prescient and in the moment, a lightning bolt of truth and savagery, the waterfall of words that both cleanses and freezes the soul. The film offers a reading of the piece, illustrated by interpretive animation, and an obscenity trial, focusing on the dirty words in the poem without calculating the rest of the passages, in a 1950s society fearing recognition.
On October 7th, 1955, Allen Ginsberg...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The poem Howl is a primal scream, an attempt to wake up a moribund post-WW2 America to the sins of its conquering ways. It is a shot across the bow of the capitalist USA, both prescient and in the moment, a lightning bolt of truth and savagery, the waterfall of words that both cleanses and freezes the soul. The film offers a reading of the piece, illustrated by interpretive animation, and an obscenity trial, focusing on the dirty words in the poem without calculating the rest of the passages, in a 1950s society fearing recognition.
On October 7th, 1955, Allen Ginsberg...
- 10/1/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The seismic shift that took place with the publication of Allen Ginsberg’s epic poem, “Howl” – which is also the title of the new movie about the verse – reverberates and inspires to this very day. The brilliantly rendered film, starring James Franco as Ginsberg, is written and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.
Ginsberg’s journey through the landscape that the film covers is near and dear to the hearts of these creators. The themes of alienation, industrialization and moral isolation in the poem Howl told a truth about America that no history book can convey. Epstein and Friedman use animation, true-life recreation and a landmark obscenity trial to tell the story of Howl, and the all-star cast of Franco, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, Treat Williams, David Strathaim and Bob Balaban move the narrative.
Epstein and Friedman are no strangers to shining a light in the controversial corners of our society.
Ginsberg’s journey through the landscape that the film covers is near and dear to the hearts of these creators. The themes of alienation, industrialization and moral isolation in the poem Howl told a truth about America that no history book can convey. Epstein and Friedman use animation, true-life recreation and a landmark obscenity trial to tell the story of Howl, and the all-star cast of Franco, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, Treat Williams, David Strathaim and Bob Balaban move the narrative.
Epstein and Friedman are no strangers to shining a light in the controversial corners of our society.
- 9/29/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Sometimes filmmakers love their subject too much to make a quality movie. That's the case with writers/directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman ("The Celluloid Closet"). Intent on having Allen Ginsberg's epic poem "Howl" recited in its entirety while colorful animation brings Ginsberg's words to life, Epstein and Friedman end up shattering any chances for a compelling courtroom drama involving the 1957 obscenity trial of "Howl And Other Poems" or a well-told bio- drama involving a young Ginsberg (handsomely portrayed by James Franco). Debuting in the Dramatic Competition section of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Epstein and Friedman's "Howl" impresses with its standout ensemble cast, lush period production and sparkly animation courtesy of designer Eric Drooker. Unfortunately all its impressive parts fail to come together for a cohesive, compelling film drama qualifying "Howl" as the high-profile flop of Sundance 2010. While Ginsberg (Franco) sits for an interview with "Time Magazine" in his New York apartment,...
- 2/10/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Sometimes filmmakers love their subject too much to make a quality movie. That's the case with writers/directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman ("The Celluloid Closet"). Intent on having Allen Ginsberg's epic poem "Howl" recited in its entirety while colorful animation brings Ginsberg's words to life, Epstein and Friedman end up shattering any chances for a compelling courtroom drama involving the 1957 obscenity trial of "Howl And Other Poems" or a well-told bio- drama involving a young Ginsberg (handsomely portrayed by James Franco). Debuting in the Dramatic Competition section of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Epstein and Friedman's "Howl" impresses with its standout ensemble cast, lush period production and sparkly animation courtesy of designer Eric Drooker. Unfortunately all its impressive parts fail to come together for a cohesive, compelling film drama qualifying "Howl" as the high-profile flop of Sundance 2010. While Ginsberg (Franco) sits for an interview with "Time Magazine" in his New York apartment,...
- 2/10/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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