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Movies / On DVD / The Aristocrats
The Aristocrats

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The Aristocrats (2005)

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Reviews Counted:143

Fresh:115

Rotten:28

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: Can a joke stand up to repeated tellings? Hilarious and revealing of the way comedy works, The Aristocrats demonstrates that it's possible.

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: "A man walks into a talent agent's office with his family and says, Have I got an act for you! The talent agent replies, So what do you do?" So begins "The Aristocrats," a joke that has been handed... "A man walks into a talent agent's office with his family and says, Have I got an act for you! The talent agent replies, So what do you do?" So begins "The Aristocrats," a joke that has been handed down from comedian to comedian for decades but is rarely told on stage. The next part of the joke varies, allowing for improvisation, and the only requirement in telling the joke is that it be as offensive as possible. Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette spent two years documenting as many versions of this infamous joke as possible, cornering comedians like Drew Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Susie Essman, and Paul Reiser whenever and wherever possible. The results are surprising, and often take their humor to places that may make sensitive viewers uncomfortable. While comic legends such as Don Rickles, The Smothers Brothers, and Phyllis Diller admit their familiarity with the joke, they shy away from telling their own versions. Some may be surprised, however, to see performers who are normally associated with family-friendly material, including Bob Saget and Jason Alexander, describing scatological and incestuous acts with deadpan glee. Ultimately, though, THE ARISTOCRATS is more than just many versions of the same dirty joke--it is an exploration of the workings of the unrestricted comic mind. [More]

Starring: Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Shelley Berman, Lewis Black

Starring: Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Shelley Berman, Lewis Black, David Brenner, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Billy Connolly, Tim Conway, Pat Cooper, Wayne Cotter, Andy Dick, Phyllis Diller, Susie Essman, Carrie Fisher, Stephen Wright, Joe Franklin, Judy Gold, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Dana Gould, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Emo Philips, Fred Willard, Paul Reiser, David Steinberg, Jon Stewart, Dave Thomas, Bob Saget, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Robin Williams, Rita Rudner, Don Rickles, Martin Mull, Howie Mandel

Director: Penn Jillette, Paul Provenza

Director: Penn Jillette, Paul Provenza
Studio: ThinkFilm

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1 - 4 of 15

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Reviews for The Aristocrats

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Each take on the gag reveals a different facet of comic technique.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment 1 Comment
06/23/08
Matthew De Abaitua
Matthew De Abaitua
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This all-star open-mike night loses its luster before its own loud laughter dies down.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
David Fear
David Fear
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A stunning comedy masterclass. For those with strong stomachs, obviously...

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment 1 Comment
01/07/06
Chris Hewitt (UK)
Chris Hewitt (UK)
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The guilty pleasure to end all guilty pleasures.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
09/24/05
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

The film has the feel of a long and fascinating chat rather than a formal thesis. But if it feels a little self-congratulatory at times, that's a small price to pay.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
09/24/05
Paul Arendt
Paul Arendt
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Frequently amusing documentary with an impressive array of talking heads, though the joke wears thin way before the end of the film.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
09/10/05
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Hilariously, uncontrollably funny. And overwhelmingly obscene.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
08/07/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

A joyful film, full of men and women alight with the pleasure that comes from negating every compliment civilization has ever paid itself.

Full Review Source: Style Weekly (Richmond, VA) | comment Comment
06/03/09
Thomas Peyser
Thomas Peyser
Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

A plethora of comedians discuss and tell their own inspired rendition of "the dirtiest joke in the world" in a contagiously funny documentary that symptomatically gives context to the lasting influence of vaudeville humor.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
04/15/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
10/18/08
Time Out New York

The first feel-good movie made out of fecal matter.

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
11/01/07
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek

Its very about-itself unimportance is what makes it a liberating experience for its own sake.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

A tedious dud that sparks once or twice with big laughs

Full Review Source: Cinema Writer | comment 1 Comment
08/19/06
Jay Antani
Jay Antani
Cinema Writer

...the brilliant Sarah Silverman transcends the mean-spirited nature of the joke...

Full Review Source: All Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/05/06
Josh Ralske
Josh Ralske
All Movie Guide

In its simplest form, the joke isn't funny; it's all in the telling, and Provenza proves once again that some people can tell a joke, and some people can't.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment 1 Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

With a showman's respect for the power of the build-up, Provenza touts his product thoroughly before unveiling it.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
01/27/06
Sandra Hall
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald

Vile, vulgar and occasionally funny, The Aristocrats is literally a one joke movie%u2026 I was bored...

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/19/06
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

... The Aristocrats proves that sometimes you don’t have to be a great filmmaker to make a great documentary.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment 1 Comment
12/09/05
Ken Tucker
Ken Tucker
New York Magazine

A brilliant solution to the eternal problem of how to discuss the creative process behind comedy without becoming boring.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Bob Westal
Bob Westal
Film Threat
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Aristocrats

January 26, 2007: Sundance News: "The Ten" And "King of California" Picked Up For Distribution
As Sundance 2007 enters the final stretch, we've just learned of two more movies that'll get their Hollywood endings: "The Ten" (picked up by ThinkFilm and City Lights... More...

February 08, 2006: "Flightplan" Soars on Sales, Rental Charts
It was a smooth DVD landing for Buena Vista Home Entertainment's "Flightplan," as the Jodie Foster-starring thriller topped both the national DVD sales and rental... More...

January 10, 2006: Online Film Critics Offer Their Annual Nominations
The OFCS, which is hosted right here at Rotten Tomatoes and (full disclosure) includes yours truly as a member, announced their year-end nominations yesterday ... and we hope... More...

November 16, 2005: "Penguins," "Murderball," and 13 Other Docs Vie for Oscar Eligibility
Variety's Award Central brings news on the 15 documentary films that have been "shortlisted" for Academy Award consideration. (And there are 2 seriously egregious... More...

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