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Lenny (1974)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 November 1974 (USA) moreTagline:
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. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Steve Zahn: The Hollywood Interview (From The Hollywood Interview. 16 May 2009, 3:00 AM, PDT)
Scenes We Love: Lenny
(From Cinematical. 19 February 2009, 4:15 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Freedom Does Not Always Work. moreUS TV Schedule:
| Thur. July 23 | 4:35 AM | MAX |
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
111 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
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, USAFun Stuff
Trivia:
Raquel Welch was offered the role of Honey Bruce. She turned the part down, because she thought she could not play it. moreGoofs:
Anachronisms: During the movie's opening monologue, Lenny says that it's 1964 and then references the MDA Telethon, which debuted in 1966. moreQuotes:
Lenny Bruce: The problem is we always expect women to be a combination sunday school teacher, and $500-a-night hooker! moreSoundtrack:
Tempus Fugit moreFAQ
How does it end?more
more
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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.