DVD Reviews

The Aristocrats

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Billy Connolly
• Details: US, 89 mins, 18.

In this documentary film by comedy veterans and co-creators Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza, the world's filthiest and disturbing joke is retold by some 100 comics. All you need to know about this infamous comedians' joke, is that the punch line is 'the aristocrats'. The real joy/horror/fun is in the telling. As one comedian says over the course of the film, The Aristocrats is something of a 'Tourette's syndrome joke', in which the teller goes to much effort to mention every unmentionable social taboo from cursing, incest, bodily fluids and bestiality. The numerous retellings and variations differ from comic to comic and encompass the extremely funny to the most awful imaginable. There is even a mime version, a Christopher Walken impersonation variant and a South Park short where Cartman tells the jokes to his pals at the bus stop. Both marvellous and vile you will laugh a lot, albeit shamefully. There is a definite reason why this one has an 18 cert - for full enjoyment do not watch with your mother/father/grandparents/children/gentile old aunt/other. They will never forgive you.
Also, the insight into what makes comics laugh, the significance of this particular joke's deviations and the conclusions that comics have drawn about it over the years give The Aristocrats a certain charming edge. The extras are great too.

Review by Elaine Reilly