The Aristocrats *** (2005, Hank Azaria, Shelley Berman, Billy Connolly, George Carlin, Don Rickles, Chris Rock) – Classic Movie Review 5179

Literally a one-joke – and a filthy one at that – director Paul Provenza’s 2005 comedy documentary dissection of what makes people laughs gets 100 more or less famous comics and gets them to re-tell a legendary old vaudeville joke.

It is a tribute to these hundred funny people, and the joke too, that the movie stays interesting and amusing more or less throughout. And it is fascinating to see how these varied comics, some of them actually the superstar comedians who are advertised, tackle the task of being funny.

The point is that the joke is offensive and obscene, so the film is obviously not for the easily shocked.

People were killing themselves laughing at the London press show.

The title is the punchline to the bizarre shaggy-dog joke in question.

Among those taking part are Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Shelley Berman, Billy Connolly, George Carlin, Don Rickles, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Carey, Gilbert Gottfried, Bob Saget, Paul Reiser and Sarah Silverman.

A credit informs us: ‘No animals were f***ed during the making of this film.’

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5179

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