a bio pic of the controversial 1960 comedian and social commentator lenny bruce tell in interview cum flashback style . presume you know anything about lb at all and what do you want to believe . that he be a comedic genius who be a forerunner to today alternative comedian or a foul mouth drug addict whose only work tool be to shock and titillate a virgin audience . here it hardly matter whether you like the man himself or would have laugh at his material if present at his better show . no one much be laugh much near the end a this film clearly testifies . curiously and this be a film that be neither a love in nor a condemnation . more a cold eyed and professional look at a life live by self choice on the edge . ( i be sure that fellow edge liver will give this movie an extra star just for topic alone . ) this film have three piece of good fortune represent the star talent of dustin hoffman and the confident direction of bob fosse and the cool b and w cinematography of bruce surtees . however the pacing be slow and give that we know the pathetic final reel ( indeed it be use a the first reel and we work backwards . ) it be a slow journey to nowhere all that special . lenny love sleaze . stripper and dope and stag film and party that you can not remember much about the next day . all well record here . so unlike other comedian who climb the ladder from dive to broadway we feel sorry for him in success because it take him away from what he love best . and and as many have find out before and since and if you lash out at society and society will hit back and you find that society have a lot more weapon than a microphone . the legal case give this film a second act and but a i have suggest before and there isn not a third . bad dope ( or a mistake with it ) take his life and others take on the baton of what he be try to do and to be frank and do it a whole lot well . how ironic that the black lenny bruce richard prior follow his self destructive model so closely . but prior could act as well ( when give a chance see him in blue collar ) and be a wonderful visual comedian . bruce be and meanwhile and all voice . nothing date quick than comedy and people that once make the world laugh ( such a chaplin ) be now view a be anything but funny . the stage act ( sometimes view in cold detachment from the god ) would not make you laugh and it might make you nod and smile occasionally and but no more . in reality i feel nothing for lb and he be a minor player in the world of showbiz who make his own choice and take his own risk . the talent and legacy of fosse and hoffman will ring on forever which make him the third banana in his own life story .