Can We Take a Joke?
Film
Review
by Kam Williams
1st
Amendment Documentary Indicts P.C. Police for Stifling Comedians'
Freedom of Speech
George
Carlin (1937-2008) once said "It's the duty of a comic to see
where the line is drawn, and cross over it." In many respects,
he was merely doubling down on the philosophy of his mentor Lenny
Bruce (1925-1966) who never saw a taboo he wasn't willing to bust.
Lenny paid
a steep price career-wise for walking the walk and talking the talk,
as he was often arrested for obscenity while doing his stand-up act.
And although he was ultimately vindicated posthumously, having paved
the way for future generations of irreverent entertainers, one can't
help but wonder whether those hard-earned advances might be in
jeopardy.
That is the
contention of a host of comedians appearing in Can We Take a Joke, a
documentary suggesting that the current climate of political
correctness is having a chilling effect on their Freedom of Speech.
Directed by Ted Balaker, the film includes commentary by such
outspoken 1st Amendment advocates as Penn Jillette, Lisa Lampanelli,
Adam Carolla and Gilbert Gottfried, who lost his gig as the voice of
the Aflac duck over a joke that went too far in the estimation of his
corporate sponsor.
A cautionary tale bemoaning the chilling effect of political correctness on free speech.
Excellent (3.5 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 74 minutes
Studio: Korchula Productions
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
To see a trailer for Can We Take a Joke? visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI9emLcjMOk
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