Details
Movie Description
Director Bob Fosse (CABARET) brings his characteristically scathing commentary on the entertainment biz to this biopic about the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. Bruce's career was brought to a dramatic halt just years before this film was made, when he was found dead of a drug overdose on the bathroom floor of his home. He was 40 years old.
Lenny's sexual and narcotic misdemeanors are graphically portrayed. The film is shot in black-and-white, and the story of Bruce's life is told in flashback interviews with prominent figures from his life. Valerie Perrine's performance as the stripper Bruce married garnered her an Academy Award nomination (in addition to five others for the film in 1975). Dustin Hoffman transformed himself into an erratic anti-hero to play Bruce, giving a multi-faceted, riveting performance that truly depicts the demise of a legend. LENNY was Fosse's first and only non-musical film, and its innovation rivals the best of those works.
Synopsis
Based on the life of controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. Bruce's death in 1966 followed a turbulent life marked by numerous arrests for drug possession and obscenity, and a troubled marriage to an ex-stripper. His closest companions relate in interviews their experiences and feelings about Bruce, while flashbacks depict key events from his life.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: November 10, 1974
Director Bob Fosse supervised the editing of the film while working on the Broadway musical "Chicago." Stress and exhaustion led to his heart attack at the time of the film's release, resulting in open-heart surgery. This period of Fosse's life was later documented in the film "All That Jazz."
"Lenny" was supposed to open the New York Film Festival, but editing delays prevented it.
Valerie Perrine, who plays the stripper Bruce marries in the film, was once a Las Vegas showgirl.
Valerie Perrine was named Best Supporting Actress of 1974 by the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics' Circle.
Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Dustin Hoffman, Best Actress--Valerie Perrine, Best (Adapted) Screenplay.
Industry Reviews
"...Dramatically compelling. Performances are outstanding, especially Dustin Hoffman's wired motormouth Lenny....Deserves rediscovering..."
Total Film - Jamie Graham (07/01/2003)
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