"The Aristocrats" Bottom Line
I laughed so hard, no sound was coming out. I was in a puddle of my own tears.Just Who Are the Aristocrats?
Legend has it, "The Aristocrats" joke hails to the days of Vaudeville in the early 20th century. The purpose of the joke is to shock its audience and to provide the teller a free pass to flex his wings, making the story his own and, with embellishments, go to nasty, dark places one would never dare venture on a public stage.Through the years, the tale of a theatrical troupe describing its decidedly different act to an agent, has been a behind-the-scenes only exercise among comedians and other show business types. Evolution has brought "The Aristocrats" renditions to the most vile, repugnant, and unacceptable levels anyone could possibly imagine and then beyond. The plot points, often relishing in fecal matter, incest, and bestiality, are abhorrent subjects to be splayed for entertainment in civilized society.
So, why do it? It's gross-out fun and frequently hilarious! The process can also become, surprisingly, cathartic -- for the teller and the audience.
Scoundrels for School
"The Aristocrats" documentary makes the Aristocrats joke an education, but none like you've ever had before. More than 100 comedians, writers, and characters in the comic fringe analyze what it is that makes this material so amusing to them and to many of us.To illustrate, scores of the participants dive into their own horrific variations. Some recite prepared remarks; others simply adlib streams of unconscionable consciousness. A few grab enough screen time to share entire jokes, but most are intercut into montages of each other's sound bites to create insanely offensive anecdotal quilts by committee.
The talent also remarks on and critiques the joke's premise and popularity. They laugh quite a bit and the bulk are genuinely exhilarated to be in this film which exposes their community's heretofore dirty little secret.
"The Aristocrats" is simple and has rough edges. It is a home movie made by friends for friends. Anyone else who chooses to join their party is welcome. Explosively uproarious at times, solid for the long run, the momentum does grind to a halt on occasions.
George Carlin, Wendy Liebman, and Mario Cantone (as Liza Minnelli) offset the slack, stopping the show in the good manner. And they're just the tip.
The Jazz Singers
I'm asked by readers how one learns about being funny. For the most part, there is disappointment when I state the obvious: "Observe and listen to others being funny." That's the best course of action and "The Aristocrats" movie, of all places, is as solid a comedy instruction tool as I could imagine. The ways these men and women work the joke and ultimately spin it into belly laughs are invaluable insights into the sparks of the comic mind. They're also quite delightful to see and hear.Director, executive producer, and comedian Paul Provenza: "This filthy old joke is the comedy equivalent of jazz. It's raunchy; it's free of constraints, yet has a simple 'melody' to hold onto. It's about where you take it, not where it's going. If that is not a workable definition of art, I don't know what is."
Executive producer, magician, and comedian Penn Jillette says of art and the joke, "It's the singer, not the song."
"The Aristocrats" is despicably perfect proof.
I cannot recall a funnier movie.
Now, I must go get a tetanus shot.
_______________
This film has not been submitted for a Motion Picture Association of America rating. Mine would be: "PG-99. Not suitable for children under 99. Parental guidance advised."
