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:

Raquel Welch was offered the role of Honey Bruce. She turned the part down, because she thought she could not play it.

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:

Referenced in Whether You Like It or Not: The Story of Hedwig (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Tempus Fugit

What a performance...

Well if I was ever in any doubt about Dustin Hoffman's talent this movie truly has put an end to it. I've seen enough footage of the real Lenny Bruce to realise just what a great performance this is. He looks so like Bruce, and the mannerisms are so well done it is hard to think of any way this performance could be improved upon. The direction and camera work are also superb as is Valerie Perrine's performance as Bruce's wife. It seems impossible to give this less than ten out of ten.