R W
Posts: 268
Joined: 23/6/2006
|
Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas
Starring: Bill Hicks, Mary Hicks, Dwight Slade, Kevin Booth
Synopsis
In this photo-animated feature documentary, we get to explore the life and works of the stand-up comedic visionary that was Bill Hicks.
Review
I was never fascinated by the workings of stand-up, which is probably due to fat men like Peter Kay or sweat bags like Lee Evans. It was clever individuals such as Eddie Izzard (who funnily described the meaning of Easter) and Woody Allen (who talked about being kidnapped once that led his parents to rent out his room). A few years ago, I was introduced to the late Bill Hicks by watching his legendary live performance Revelations and I was hooked.
He had a very distinctive voice, which was foul-mouthed and very intellectual, and he was someone who was quite concerned about the political situation during the early 90s. There had been talks of a biopic being developed, in which Ron Howard had considered directing and Russell Crowe portraying the man himself. There may be something scary about Crowe (not least his accent in Robin Hood), but Hick’s personality is a standalone and one that can’t be imitated.
Now that Hick’s life is the hands of British documentarians Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, this documentary as cleverly told in animated photographs gives you an insightful look at this complex individual. With the directors having hundreds of home footage at their disposal, there are many aspects which I was not aware of, such as his stand-up started as a double act with his best friend Dwight Slade, as well as their first and only collaboration on the unproduced screenplay The Suburbs.
Both the directors and the interviewees (who are friends and family including hisparents) are not afraid to reveal what kind of person Hicks was. As a child, he was a young rebel who secretly went out to comedic clubs and as an up-and-coming comedian, he almost lost his audience due to his alcohol abuse. What’s even more surprising was that even he was dying of pancreatic cancer, he was able to be free and say whatever he want no matter how controversial he got.
Some fans might be disappointed as it doesn’t reveal every single aspect about Hicks as the documentary leaves out his romantic life (although there is a quick mention of the various girlfriends he had) and most disappointingly for me that it didn’t talk about his crumbled friendship with comedian Denis Leary who was accused of plagiarism towards Hicks’ jokes.
Verdict
Hilarious and thought-provoking, this documentary is a fine tribute to the late great comedian and hopefully a great introduction for newcomers towards his satirical genius.
|
Printable Version
American: The Bill Hicks Story - 
RE: Most important stnd up ever - 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread