Lenny **** (1974, Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Jan Miner) – Classic Movie Review 8441

Dustin Hoffman sizzles in one of his finest performances as controversial, self destructive Jewish club stand up comedian Lenny Bruce in the 1974 biopic Lenny, brilliantly directed by Bob Fosse and shot in dazzling, chic black and white by Bruce Surtees. It was nominated for six Oscars, but won none.

It is Valerie Perrine’s finest hour as Bruce’s stripper wife, Honey Bruce, while Stanley Beck impersonates his agent, Artie Silver. Also in the cast are Jan Miner, Gary Morton, Rashell Novikoff, Guy Rennie, Frankie Man, Michael Murphy, Mark Harris, Phil Philbin, Mickey Gatlin, George DeWitt and Ted Sorrell.

The incisive screenplay is based on his own play by Julian Barry, who uses the comic’s trial transcripts for dialogue performed by Hoffman as part of Bruce’s stage turn.

Bruce died in 1966 after being hounded by the establishment for his ‘obscene’ act and his drug-taking.

Swearing, adult humour and adult themes. In the UK, it was an X (original rating), then 18 (1987, video rating) and now 15 (2003).

Perrine won the 1976 BAFTA Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

Lenny is directed by Bob Fosse, runs 111 minutes, is made by Marvin Worth Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Julian Barry, based on his own play, is shot in black and white by Bruce Surtees, is produced by Marvin Worth, is scored by Ralph Burns and is designed by Joel Schiller.

Eddie Izzard played the role in a London stage revival of the play in 1999, scoring a triumph.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8441

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