Get Bruce!

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Get Bruce!

R

1999

1h 22m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This documentary presents jokesmith Bruce Vilanch, who, for over 30 years, has worked behind the scenes writing jokes, speeches and public material for actors, singers and even presidents. The film examines Vilanch's meteoric rise to influence, from his first meeting with Bette Midler in the early '70s to his latest collaboration on the Academy Awards, and features interviews with various celebrities, including Robin Williams, Carol Burnett, Nathan Lane and Billy Crystal.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

[It's] the kind of documentary we all want to have made about ourselves, in which it is revealed that we are funny, smart, beloved, the trusted confidant of famous people, the power behind the scenes at great events and the apple of our mother's eye.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Derek de Koff

Out Magazine

Pay some attention to that man behind the curtain.

May 27, 2022

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 1.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Vilanch's ebullient manner is obviously a big reason why everyone wants, to borrow the film's title, to get Bruce.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 10, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 4, 2005

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $43,200.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Fun documentary on a funny guy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Vilanch is a genius. Period.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very entertaining documentary of this talented man who looks like Sigmund the Sea Monster.... See it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Even the most talented need help from the talented. The best lines in Hollywood are Bruce Vilanch!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This really is hilarious

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Andrew J. Kuehn

Director

Bruce Vilanch

Self

Bette Midler

Self

Billy Crystal

Self

Robin Williams

Self

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Self

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Synopsis

This documentary presents jokesmith Bruce Vilanch, who, for over 30 years, has worked behind the scenes writing jokes, speeches and public material for actors, singers and even presidents. The film examines Vilanch's meteoric rise to influence, from his first meeting with Bette Midler in the early '70s to his latest collaboration on the Academy Awards, and features interviews with various celebrities, including Robin Williams, Carol Burnett, Nathan Lane and Billy Crystal.

Director: Andrew J. Kuehn
Producer: Andrew J. Kuehn
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax, AJK
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $43.2K
Runtime: 1h 22m

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