The Aristocrats

My husband and I watched "The Aristocrats," he with a faint smile, me howling. That is, until "Billy the Mime" came on, when he began laughing uproariously, and I almost passed out from hysterics. Up to that point, I was laughing away at pretty much everyone, while he shook his head and announced that this was "white" humor. "It's not white humor," I replied. "It's Jewish humor. Or even more precisely, Jewish show-biz humor." Which means, once we return to basics, that "The Aristocrats" is the most American of American humor. "The Aristocrats" is not for everyone, but if it's right for you, it's a howler from beginning to end, as are the out-takes, and even the voice-over extras. Some have noted that "The Aristocrats" is not for those who dislike foul language. Let me be more precise. I dislike foul language for its own sake, employed simply to be coarse and vulgar. I find foul language should be reserved for (a) when a hammer hits your finger (b) when comedians at the top of their game know EXACTLY when to use vulgarity, without a single wasted, gratuitous, Def Comedy Jam "F bomb" dropped. What is amazing about "The Aristocrats" is how perfect the comedians' pitch is in their retelling of the vulgar joke -- this is a lot of Miles Davis virtuosity and very little Kenny G. In addition to "Billy the Mime," my other favorites were Sarah Silverman and the guys who tell "the Aristocrats!" joke as Christopher Walken (Kevin Pollack) and Liza Minelli (Mario Cantone). Taylor Negron was mesmerizing and daring. Kudos to the ventriloquist, the fire jugglers, the card-trick guy, and Matt and Trey of South Park for finding non-linear new ways to present the joke. God bless Tom and Dick Smothers, Carrie Fisher, and Drew Carey, for being quietly flawless with the joke and good sports about not taking their clean images too seriously. That "The Aristocrats" is at times poorly shot only adds to its charm and authenticity. The editing is at times inspired in the interweaving of the performances, and at times less so. One quibble -- the editors could have killed the interviews with Eddie Izzard, Bily Connolly and Eric Idle, maybe even Chris Rock, and taken Merrill Markoe's entire joke unedited off the DVD extras and into the main DVD -- that's if they DARED!

I saw this film when it was in theatres, and up until that time, it was the only movie that's ever made me feel guilty for laughing. I mean, some of the jokes are so horrific, I felt so utterly disgusting for even allowing myself to laugh. There just isn't enough forgiveness in heaven for what I've heard. Literally, people were squirming in their seats at the hundreds of awkward moments. If there's any topic or sexual act considered taboo, prepare to have it raunchily discussed in agonizing details because well, that's the objective of the joke. I've heard some pretty nasty things in my time, and don't get shocked too often, but this is comedic naughtiness taken to serious extremes. If you can find it in you to watch this, there are, believe it or not, really good reasons to watch this film. First, seeing movies nowadays, at least for me, is kind of a bore. The same ole' stock characters-love triangles-talking dogs-Jerry Bruckheimer go boom-saving the world-USA rules-type films are getting so hatefully boring. This movie is a welcome relief. After seeing it, I think you'll agree, it's exciting because it's premise is incredibly original. Secondly, there's over 100 of todays' BEST comedians participating in this dirty improv marathon. What's great is that you get to see each comic take a spin on this underground joke, but still keep their comedic essence. Some of the best to watch out for are Sarah Silverman, Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried, and one of my favorites, Kevin Pollak. Lastly, not only will certain visuals have you rolling, but it's very interesting to see comics use some of our most terrible recent tragedies and dare to include them in their jokes. I mean, have you ever thought 9/11 could be funny? Superficially, it's mostly for pure shock value, it's supposed to be, but there are certain points in the film where it's also therapeutic. This film is amazing to not only track down over 100 comics and expertly pick the choiciest parts of their rendition of this heinous joke, but just the editing alone must've been a monumental feat. It could've been a comic itself, it had impeccable timing. My mind is beyond repair, but it was worth it.

I'm a fan of documentaries to begin with but this one is clever and makes subject matter that is way beyond filthy seem somehow innocently funny. It's truly all in the telling. Among the funniest moments...look for Bob Saget and Stephen Wright telling their versions of this "joke." The joke itself is dated and doesn't work that well in this day and time but the joy of this movie is the recollections of some of comedy's biggest names remembering when and how they heard this joke and then putting their own spin on the retelling. I highly recommend, just keep it away from the kiddies.

A must for any fan of comedy. As the name implies, if you’re familiar with the joke by the same name, it’s definitely a nsfw video. For anyone who is a student of the art of comedy, it’s a must for your collection.

It may be dirty and not appropriate for all ages but did I laugh!!!! One of the funniest documentaries... movies ever.

Funny and Filthy, not a lot to say other than do not watch this with your parents.

che degli adulti si divertino follemente a nominare escrementi mi lascia basita, tutto il dvd si basa su una barzelletta ripetuta in varie versioni, ma sempre sono presenti escrementi usati in vario modo da un gruppo di persone per suscitare disgusto, la battuta consistre nel nome che questi si scelgono, e che per contrasto dovrebbe suscitare ilarità. ad onor del vero non l'ho visto fino alla fine, ma a parte il fatto che dopo la prima versione l'effetto sorpresa viene a mancare, la repetizione di tanta idiozia non mi è stata sopportabile.

The Aristocrats. A documentary about a joke you may never have heard told, but may have heard about. This oughtn't to be half as good as it is- but not for anyone who finds strong language offensive- this is about the contruction of a joke that is supposed to provoke outrage, and no-one minces words when recalling versions. As a social history, thearical history, comedic insight, or anything worthy you might want to call it- it is a hoot. I bought this for a friend as I loved my copy.

Not for the sensitive ones