Is Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2007)

📖 The Core Premise

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s returns to the screen in 2007, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy, Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In the late 1950s, a fresh, unconventional style of standup comedy emerged in sharp contrast to the standard "Take my wife, please" approach. It tackled such previously taboo subjects as sex, religion, drugs, and politics, and ushered in an avant-garde era of comedy that was decidedly more cerebral, satirical, and improvisational than before. Here are many of the maverick comedians who took those big risks years ago and paved the way for today’s current crop of outrageous, in-your-face comics. Many of these rare television performances have not been seen in 30 or 40 years. Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks (1966) Jackie Mason (1961) Bob Newhart (1966) Shelly Berman (1966) Bill Cosby (1965) Jonathan Winters (1961) Smothers Brothers (1974) Steve Martin (1977) Rowan & Martin (1964) Lily Tomlin (1975) George Carlin (1967 & 1975) Richard Pryor (1967 & 1974) Andy Kaufman (1977) Hendra & Ullett (1966) Billy Crystal (1976) Jay Leno (1978) David Letterman (1979)"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s, even the presence of Bill Cosby struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 120 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.