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Lenny Bruce Performance Film

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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Lenny Bruce's second-to-last show is captured in this film version of his live performance in San Francisco. Filmed after a lengthy and costly trial in which Bruce was charged with obscenity, Bruce's routine includes some of his classic bits, but also incorporates a great deal of material about his purported offenses. During his routine, Bruce even uses a court transcript as he acts out his ordeal, defending himself against the allegations that he faced.

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker 07/20/2020
Bruce's legal travails ruined him, but they also nourished his art, transforming him into an outlaw philosopher of law. Go to Full Review Richard Whitehall Los Angeles Free Press 02/03/2020
Some of it is barely coherent, but much of it is devastating, and the cut and thrust of his funniest moments are sublime. Go to Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion 02/07/2011
A depressing, invaluable document Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 10/03/2008
Sadly, this all-important record of legendary comic Lenny Bruce came too late, after his three arrests for obscenity turned his routine into a rant. Go to Full Review Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com 11/03/2005
3.5/5
Worthwhile mainly as a historical piece for the old-school Lenny Bruce buffs, the 60-minute Performance Film is infinitely more heartbreaking than it is funny. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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12/19/2011 Less a comic show and more Lenny railing on the absurdity of the charges brought against him for his standup act. Spends much of his time going through court transcripts but does make some pointed observations. Sadly, Bruce appears to be a broken man by this point. See more Read all reviews
Lenny Bruce Performance Film

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Cast & Crew

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John Magnuson

Director

Lenny Bruce

Actor
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Lenny Bruce Performance Film

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lenny Bruce's second-to-last show is captured in this film version of his live performance in San Francisco. Filmed after a lengthy and costly trial in which Bruce was charged with obscenity, Bruce's routine includes some of his classic bits, but also incorporates a great deal of material about his purported offenses. During his routine, Bruce even uses a court transcript as he acts out his ordeal, defending himself against the allegations that he faced.
Director
John Magnuson
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 5m