Biographical drama

Lenny (1974): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Name: Lenny
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: 1974-12-01
Duration: 1 h 51 min
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Jan Miner, Kathryn Witt, Rashel Novikoff

Lenny is a 1974 biographical drama directed by Bob Fosse, starring Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine and Jan Miner. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. It won 1 award from 13 nominations, among them 6 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
award won: 1
Metascore: 61

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Released: December 1, 1974
Runtime: 1h 51m (111 min)
Director: Bob Fosse
Genres: Biography , Drama
Original language: English
Studio: United Artists
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Lenny About?

The premise of Lenny without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1950s New York City, comedian Lenny Bruce develops a provocative and boundary-pushing sense of humor that challenges societal norms. His controversial routines earn him a devoted following and establish him as a cultural icon, but also draw scrutiny and legal trouble. Battling addiction and excess, his life is further complicated by a turbulent relationship with his wife, Honey, a captivating performer. The film explores the rise and fall of a man who dared to speak his mind, even at great personal cost.

Lenny Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags

stand up comedian
jewish
adult humor
self destructiveness
drug addiction
courtroom
character name as title
artistic creation
male pubic hair
menage a trois
dexedrine
screenplay adapted by author

+38 more

bearded man
female topless nudity
telling a joke
lesbian character
star the person
tragedy drama
lenny bruce character
backstage drama
live action
scatological humor
comedian
forename as title
one word title
masturbation
stripper
car accident
kiss
kissing while having sex
judaism
jew
one man show
f word
tragic event
death of protagonist
death of title character
monologue
husband wife relationship
irreverence
controversy
price of fame
lesbian sex
male female relationship
rise and fall
rags to riches
performer
genius
fighting the system
dysfunctional marriage

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Cast & crew

Lenny Cast

Dustin Hoffman leads the cast, with Valerie Perrine and Jan Miner. Directed by Bob Fosse; 10 actors are credited in all.

Director Bob Fosse

Also Starring in Lenny

· 6 more

From the director

More from Bob Fosse

More films directed by Bob Fosse, best-rated first: Cabaret, All That Jazz, Star 80 and Sweet Charity.

Full filmography

Ratings

Lenny Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lenny 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb

7.5 /10
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Rotten Tomatoes

87% Tomatometer

Popcornmeter 88%
See on Rotten Tomatoes
Metacritic

61 Metascore

User score 7.8
See on Metacritic
TMDB

72% User score
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Plot

Lenny Plot Summary

What happens in Lenny from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a revealing interview, Honey Harlow Bruce, the former spouse of stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce, reflects on her tumultuous life shared with him. In a memorable performance in 1964, Lenny astounds his audience with a shocking quip regarding Eleanor Roosevelt and Lou Gehrig, but he emphasizes that his true message revolves around the suppression of words. He provocatively suggests that venereal diseases thrive not just for their physical aspect, but due to society’s unwillingness to discuss them openly.

Full summary

The whole story of Lenny, scene by scene

Read the full summary

Timeline of events

Awards

Lenny Awards & Nominations

Lenny won 1 award from 13 nominations, among them 6 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1976, with 1 win from 3 nominations.

1 win13 nominations4 ceremonies

BAFTA 1976 1 win · 3 nominations
- Won Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles – Valerie Perrine
- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Dustin Hoffman
- Nominated Best Actress in a Leading Role – Valerie Perrine
Oscars 1975 6 nominations
- Nominated Actor – Dustin Hoffman
- Nominated Actress – Valerie Perrine
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Cinematography
- Nominated Directing – Bob Fosse
+1 more at the Oscars 1975
Golden Globes 1975 3 nominations
- Nominated Best Director – Bob Fosse
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Dustin Hoffman
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Valerie Perrine
DGA Awards 1975 1 nomination
- Nominated Feature Film – Bob Fosse