Lenny (film)
| Lenny | |
|---|---|
 Original movie poster | |
| Directed by | Bob Fosse |
| Produced by | Marvin Worth |
| Written by | Julian Barry |
| Starring |
Dustin Hoffman Valerie Perrine |
| Music by | Ralph Burns |
| Cinematography | Bruce Surtees |
| Edited by | Alan Heim |
| Distributed by |
United Artists (1974, original) MGM (2003, DVD) Twilight Time (under license from MGM) (2015, Blu-Ray DVD) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $11,622,000 (rentals)[1] |
Lenny is a 1974 American biographical film about the comedian Lenny Bruce, starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Bob Fosse. The screenplay by Julian Barry is based on his play of the same name.
Plot
The film jumps between various sections of Bruce's life, including scenes of when he was in his prime and the burned-out, strung-out performer who, in the twilight of his life, used his nightclub act to pour out his personal frustrations. We watch as up-and-coming Bruce courts his "Shiksa goddess", a stripper named Honey. With family responsibilities, Lenny is encouraged to do a "safe" act, but he cannot do it. Constantly in trouble for flouting obscenity laws, Lenny develops a near-messianic complex which fuels both his comedy genius and his talent for self-destruction. Worn out by a lifetime of tilting at Establishment windmills, Lenny Bruce dies of a morphine overdose in 1966.
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman as Lenny Bruce
- Valerie Perrine as Honey Bruce
- Jan Miner as Sally Marr
- Stanley Beck as Artie Silver
- Rashel Novikoff as Aunt Mema
- Gary Morton as Sherman Hart
- Guy Rennie as Jack Goldman
Reception
Lenny received favorable praise from critics and audiences alike, earning a rare "100% Fresh" score on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews.[2]
In 2012, British film critic Mark Kermode put Hoffman's performance as Lenny Bruce at number eight in a top-ten video of Hoffman's best performances.[3]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Board of Review | Top Ten Films | Won | ||
| 1978 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Screenplay | Larry Gelbart, Sheldon Keller | 3rd place |
| Best Music | Ralph Burns | 3rd place | ||
| New York Film Critics Circle | Best Supporting Actor | Barry Bostwick | 3rd place | |
| Best Screenplay | Larry Gelbart, Sheldon Keller | 2nd place | ||
| 1979 | Golden Globe Award | Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy | George C. Scott | Nominated | ||
| Best Motion Picture Acting Debut - Male | Harry Hamlin | Nominated | ||
| Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Stanley Donen | Nominated | |
| National Society of Film Critics | Best Supporting Actor | Barry Bostwick | 4th place | |
| Best Screenplay | Larry Gelbart, Sheldon Keller | 3rd place | ||
| Writers Guild of America Award | Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen | Larry Gelbart, Sheldon Keller | Won | |
| 1980 | David di Donatello | Best Foreign Music | Ralph Burns | Won |
Casting
One of the more interesting casting decisions was made while filming in the Broward County Courthouse; used as the set for the Miami Courthouse. Director Fosse decided to cast a real life Broward County Bailiff in the role of the Dade County Bailiff that would drag Dustin Hoffman (Lenny) out of the Courtroom. Aldo DeMeo, the President of the Bailiff's Association at the time, was offered the role. Though Aldo was uncredited, the scene when Lenny is removed from the courtroom was chosen as the clip screened at the Academy Awards to represent the film as a candidate for Best Picture.[4] Casting was completed by Florida-based casting director, Beverly McDermott.[5]
DVD
Lenny was released to DVD by MGM Home Video on April 1, 2003 as a Region 1 widescreen DVD and by Twilight Time (under license from MGM) as a Region 1 widescreen Blu-ray Disc on February 10, 2015.
See also
References
- ↑ Top 20 Films of 1974 by Domestic Revenue. Box Office Report via Internet Archive. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
- ↑ "Lenny Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ↑ Kermode Uncut: Hoffman Top Ten
- ↑ "Robert DeMeo Bio".
- ↑ "Beverly McDermott dies at 83". Sun Sentinel. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
External links
- Lenny at the Internet Movie Database
- Lenny at Rotten Tomatoes