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- HBO
- May 20, 2022
- HBO
- May 20, 2022
Summary The two-part documentary directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio about the life and career of comedian George Carlin features never-before-seen archival films, photos, audio recordings, letters, and diaries as well as interviews with friends and family.
- HBO
- May 20, 2022
- HBO
- May 20, 2022
Summary The two-part documentary directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio about the life and career of comedian George Carlin features never-before-seen archival films, photos, audio recordings, letters, and diaries as well as interviews with friends and family.
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
85
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
85
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
“George Carlin’s American Dream” may run close to four hours, but it’s also Apatow’s most politically incisive work to date.
Specials about comedy talents are often just excuses to watch the best bits of a famous star, but “George Carlin’s American Dream” is way more than that. It is loving and appreciative of his genius without ever devolving into fan service.
No doubt Carlin’s observations are as relevant as ever in 2022, and that’s all laid out in the entertainingly comprehensive documentary from Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio—but I also love that this film is the definitive reminder that whether Carlin was making Big Picture Statements or engaging in relatively lightweight stand-up antics, he was flat-out effing funny.
Assembled with a level of ambition worthy of Carlin’s verbal dexterity, directors Judd Apatow (who not long ago produced a similar ode to Garry Shandling) and Michael Bonfiglio have endeavored to contextualize the comic’s work through key events.
There are plenty of talking heads, too—Patton Oswalt, W. Kamau Bell, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, Sam Jay, Bill Burr, Steven Wright—but they never stray into redundant “You have to understand, Carlin was a genius” territory. The vast majority of them have something meaty and specific to say. ... Over these nearly four hours, one thing that stands out is the man’s tenacity.
The point ultimately is to treasure the record that Carlin left and to lament that that record didn’t include two or three decades more of scathing commentary and reflection — both the taking down of politicians and sacred cows and the fart jokes and funny voices. Here it largely succeeds, and four hours spent listening to George Carlin is four hours well spent.
George Carlin’s American Dream effectively shows all sides of Carlin—a class clown, a rebel, a former idealist, a husband, a loner, a father, an artist—and reiterates his lasting legacy as a talented comedian who keenly understood the human condition.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 User Ratings
7.8
83% Positive
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
8% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 12 User Ratings
7.8
83% Positive
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
8% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
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