Dustin Hoffman plays pioneering stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce in this biopic, based on the Julian Barry play, about the rocky road to his success as a comedian and the legal battles over obscenity charges that plagued his career. This portrait of Bruce, who strived to highlight hypocrisy and challenge what was deemed appropriate and obscene, is presented through a stylised and atmospheric mix of stand-up comedy sets (impressively performed by Hoffman), a nonchronological narrative, and interview style talking heads with those around him including Valerie Perrine as his wife Honey Bruce.

Screening as part of our Bob Fosse season, June 9th to 30th.