Lenny

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Lenny

R,

1975,

1h 52m,

Biography

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Watchlist

88%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

5,000+ Ratings

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).

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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Anakin S

Aug 19, 2018

A very brave movie about a very brave man, meticulously crafted by Fosse and Co.

George M

Jul 15, 2018

A criminally overlooked movie in my opinion. It's unique, funny, thought-provoking and heartbreaking at the same time....definitely deserves more recognition.

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Leia R

Jan 31, 2018

Compelling idealization of the foul-mouthed comedian and the small circles he traveled in.

Abraham R

Nov 17, 2017

this was ok, but lenny doesnt really do it for me

Han R

Feb 9, 2017

sad movie but this is when one Dustin Hoffman was on his A-game about controversial comic Lenny Bruce in the 60s it's a true story but based on a play so it's more of play than movie but really good acting from the two leads !

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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

2:11

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Lenny: Official Clip - We're All the Same Schmuck

1:51

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Lenny: Official Clip - Contempt of Court

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Lenny: Official Clip - To Come

2:00

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Lenny: Official Clip - Strung Out

1:57

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Lenny: Official Clip - Arrested for Obscenity

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Lenny: Official Clip - Stag Movies

2:05

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Lenny: Official Clip - Doing It

1:43

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Lenny: Official Clip - Lenny's Cruel Joke

2:12

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Lenny: Official Clip - Dirty But Not Obscene

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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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