George Carlin's American Dream

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.