Okay, I’ll admit that the number and frequency of my posts regarding Penn Jillette’s “The Aristocrats” — you know the movie about the dirtiest joke ever told, the one Michael Medved isn’t going to list in his top ten list — is surprising, even to me. But I think it’s a fascinating story about a story about a joke “normal” people wouldn’t have any business hearing to begin with.
Here’s a new review from The Daily Californian, in which writer David Boyk observes and opines:
But the middles vary from clean but funny slapstick—all slapstick is funny slapstick—to the foulest, most shocking descriptions of incestuous, pedophilic coprophagy (look that one up!) involving endangered species, and other things that don’t even have euphemisms, that ever made a crowd guffaw. And the nastiest version of all, by a long shot, is told by Bob Saget. It lasts for probably 10 minutes and will force grandmas out of their seats. It’s also very funny.
I’d heard that about Bob Saget.
He also noted — as have others — that there are few commediennes who tell the joke. It seems to me the concept of “equality” is being taken to absurd lengths. Besides, not that I particularly care to hear a dirty joke to begin with, I don’t particularly want to hear a chick tell it. But, that’s just me.
But here’s the part I found more interesting:
The movie’s emphasis on more or less obscure comedians is an asset, however. When famous comedians do show up, most of them end up disappointing. Robin Williams is incoherent, Jon Stewart is stiff, Drew Carey is self-satisfied and Eddie Izzard doesn’t even know the joke. The worst part of the movie, near the end, is the extended love letter to Gilbert Gottfried.
Aside from the startling “revelation” that Robin Williams is incoherent, it appears Mr. Boyd isn’t a fan of Gilbert Gottfried. I am. And the story behind Gottfried’s performance of this piece is actually more funny than any other venue I can imagine. It seems to me its position in the film is the right punctuation, given what comes before it.
Still not showing at a theater near me, though.
Powered by FireStats
You sure have a lot to write about a movie you haven’t seen yet. It’s not down here yet, either. There’s only one likely theater that will show it as it doesn’t appear to be mainstream in nature.
You sure have a lot to write about a movie you haven’t seen yet. It’s not down here yet, either. There’s only one likely theater that will show it as it doesn’t appear to be mainstream in nature.
Perhaps we’ll have a chance to see it together when Jen and I wend our way South in October.