Lenny

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Lenny

R

1975

1h 52m

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Controversial comedian Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman) begins his career telling bad jokes to bored audiences in the 1950s, but can't repress his desire to unleash edgier material. When he does, he begins a one-man campaign to break down social hypocrisy, and his groundbreaking stage act propels him to cult-hero status. When authorities ban Lenny's act for obscenity, he begins a downward spiral of drugs, sex and debt, aided by his bombshell wife, a stripper named Honey (Valerie Perrine).

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Critics Consensus

Dustin Hoffman inhabits Lenny Bruce with nervy energy in Bob Fosse's richly stylized telling of the pioneering comedian's career and downfall.

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Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

May 20, 2026

Lenny marks Bob Fosse’s emergence as an auteur director.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 26, 2023

In the traditional movie, life is transmuted into art; here the hero's routines are so unfunny that no transmutation seems to have taken place.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Apr 29, 2018

2.5/4

Dustin Hoffman, good as he is in the title role, is never quite permitted to put together an organic, three-dimensional character.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 31, 2026

3.5/4

Dustin Hoffman is, as expected, excellent, so the breakout performance here belongs to Valerie Perrine.

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

May 27, 2026

4/4

Lenny lives on as an acid-tinged portrait of the vital necessity--and terrible fragility--of free speech rights in America.

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Peter Martin

ScreenAnarchy

May 21, 2026

4/5

Lenny rails about the loss that will never be realized. More's the pity. It's a provocative film, even if its episodic nature limits its own potential.

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Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 Jul 26, 2026

Entertaining. A biopic about Lenny Bruce, the stand‑up comedian with a raw style, a social commentator who tackled taboo topics at a time when that meant persecution and jail. The script is notable, the direction tight, and the cast strong—Hoffman delivers an excellent performance, while Valerie Perrine shows both talent and beauty. It does get a bit tiresome, though, and it never really stirs any emotional reaction. Still, not bad if you’re in the mood for auteur cinema.

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Jun 13, 2026

Insolence as a comic device. The rise and fall of a comedian who feared nothing and no one, portrayed with near-mastery by a then-young Dustin Hoffman. The fact that the character isn’t widely known should be no excuse for not watching it.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 May 21, 2026

Slow burn at first but builds gravitas and intensity as the story unwinds. A biopic worth watching for its cultural significance. Watched on Amazon Prime.

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Irene M

@igawel Jul 29, 2023

Dustin Hoffman does a good job portraying the character, especially the finger snapping. I hated the very very last scene. I started thinking alot about George Carlin, after it was over.

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Georgan G

@RT98616417 Jan 30, 2023

This movie is a reminder that words are cultural, never "bad" or "obscene." It's been too long for most reading this to remember Lenny Bruce, but he was the 1st to use comedy for social change.

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Shioka O

@RT54204327 Sep 18, 2022

I somehow felt that this is a lengthy when I was watching. Anyways cinematography is amazing, well crafted and just beautiful.

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Bob Fosse

Director

Dustin Hoffman

Lenny Bruce

Valerie Perrine

Honey Bruce

Jan Miner

Sally Marr

Stanley Beck

Artie Silver

Gary Morton

Sherman Hart

Lenny: Official Clip - Deny It

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Synopsis

Controversial comedian Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman) begins his career telling bad jokes to bored audiences in the 1950s, but can't repress his desire to unleash edgier material. When he does, he begins a one-man campaign to break down social hypocrisy, and his groundbreaking stage act propels him to cult-hero status. When authorities ban Lenny's act for obscenity, he begins a downward spiral of drugs, sex and debt, aided by his bombshell wife, a stripper named Honey (Valerie Perrine).

Director: Bob Fosse
Producer: Marvin Worth
Screenwriter: Julian Barry, Julian Barry
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Marvin Worth Productions [us]
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 1975, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2010
Runtime: 1h 52m

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