The Aristocrats

The Aristocrats is a 2005 American documentary comedy film directed by Paul Provenza and produced by Peter Adam Golden. The movie brings together around 100 of the worlds greatest comedians, showcasing a broad range of comedic styles, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of stand-up comedy.

The brilliance of The Aristocrats is its simple concept: get the most famous and respected people in the comedy industry to tell, analyze, and dissect a single joke, a notorious joke among comedians shelved for its incredibly bad taste and generally not performed in public because of its obscene subject matter. The joke in question, 'The Aristocrats', is an industry 'insider' joke, dating back to the Vaudeville era, which comedians have used for decades as a device to flaunt their improvisational skills and make their peers laugh.

Notable comedians featured in the film include George Carlin, Don Rickles, and Chris Rock, amongst a multitude of others. Each comedian brings a unique perspective, offering variations on the joke's setup, punchline, and delivery that is as idiosyncratic as the performer who tells it.

The legendary George Carlin uses his spot-on timing, eloquent wordplay, and raw humor to provide his rendition of the joke that is both succinct and elaborate, while daring us to challenge our own sensibilities about comedy. Don Rickles' version of the joke pays homage to his signature insult style of humor, while Chris Rock's edition embodies his socially conscious and edgy voice, employing the joke as a form of commentary on greater societal issues.

Aside from getting the biggest laughs, the film offers an inside peek into the creativity and inventiveness of these professional funnymen and women. The movie opens a door to the backstage of the comedians, illustrating what makes comedians tick and the intricate process they go through in the creation of humor. Furthermore, it explores the unwritten rules of the comedy world, the camaraderie among the performers, and their innate desire to push the envelope.

Director Paul Provenza masterfully orchestrates this symphony of comedic talent, with each performer adding further layers of absurdity and style to a joke that has been told by countless comedians over time. Provenza uses a bare-bones approach in the filming of the documentary; the comedians are shot against basic backgrounds, so the focus remains on the words and delivery of each individual. The editing is also raw and unpolished, giving the film an authentic and spontaneous feel.

Yet, it's worth noting that The Aristocrats is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended. The subjects, scenarios, and language used by the comedians in their retelling of the joke are vulgar, obscene, and often taboo. However, amid the shock value, the film delves deep into the actual substance of humor, pushing boundaries and sparking conversations about what makes something funny or off-limits in the realm of comedy. It's a celebration of freedom of speech, artistic expression, and the art form of comedy itself.

In addition to its exploration of comedic craft, The Aristocrats can also be seen as a testament to the impact that context and delivery can have on a joke. The same essential story is told again and again, yet each telling is a unique and different experience due to the voice, style, and charisma of the individual comedian. Through this repetition, the film underscores the notion that a joke's humor often lies in its telling and not necessarily in its content.

In conclusion, The Aristocrats is a captivating look into the world of comedy, a must-watch for any comedy aficionado or anyone fascinated by the creative process. This star-studded documentary embraces the essence of comedy in its rawest form and provides an unexpected lens into the artistic, sometimes crude, nature of improvisational humor. So, brace yourself for a riveting, outrageous journey through the inimitable and often uncharted landscape of humor, as seen by the greatest comics of our time.