The Aristocrats Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of comedians try to out-gross each other telling the same joke, proving that even the funniest people can’t make a bad joke good, only differently bad.

🍿 The Aristocrats: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Joke’s Skeleton

The documentary centers around a single, infamous joke shared among comedians, known as “The Aristocrats.” The premise involves a performer pitching a family act to a talent agent. The structure is simple: a build-up of increasingly outrageous and shocking descriptions, followed by the deadpan punchline, ‘The Aristocrats!’

The Comedians: A Chorus of Interpretations

The film assembles over 100 comedians, each delivering their own version of the joke. This allows for a fascinating exploration of comedic style, boundaries, and the very nature of humor. The film explores how individual comedians bend and break the structure to showcase their comedic voices.

Beyond the Joke: A Meditation on Comedy

‘The Aristocrats’ evolves beyond mere vulgarity to become an analysis of humor itself. Comedians discuss the joke’s history, its function as a comedic exercise, and its reflection of societal taboos. The documentary reveals how the joke serves as a testing ground for pushing boundaries and exploring the limits of comedic expression.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Carlin (George Carlin): A veteran comedian who offers insightful commentary on the art of joke-telling and delivers a memorable version of ‘The Aristocrats’.
• Gilbert Gottfried (Gilbert Gottfried): Known for his bold and abrasive style, Gottfried delivers a particularly shocking version of the joke that becomes a pivotal moment in the film.
• Penn Jillette (Self): As a co-creator and interviewer, Jillette guides the exploration of the joke and its cultural significance.
• Paul Provenza (Self): The co-creator and director who orchestrates the documentary to dissect the infamous joke.
• Sarah Silverman (Sarah Silverman): Silverman provides a darkly humorous, first-person perspective of the joke, showcasing her signature comedic style.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Carlin: “It’s a way of taking something, a thought, a situation, that has a certain weight and gravity, and relieving it.” – Carlin explains the role of comedy in alleviating the seriousness of life through humor.
• Gilbert Gottfried: “I think the dirtier you make it, the funnier it is.” – Gottfried encapsulates the shock-value approach that many comedians in the film take with the joke.
• Whoopi Goldberg: “It’s about the shock, the surprise, and then the payoff.” – Goldberg explains that much of the joke’s humor comes from the unexpected twist of the punchline after a disgusting act.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $6,377,461
• Worldwide Gross: $6,809,788

💥 The Aristocrats Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘The Aristocrats’ is definitely not a movie you watch with your parents! I went in expecting just a bunch of dirty jokes, but it was way more than that. It’s like a masterclass in comedy, seeing how all these different comedians riff on the same basic idea. Some versions were hilarious, some were shocking, and some were just plain weird, but I was never bored. The whole thing made me think about what’s funny, what’s offensive, and why we laugh in the first place. It is a very disturbing movie and hard to watch at times. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Definitely the most shocking film I have seen.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of stand-up comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in the psychology of humor”
  • “People who enjoy boundary-pushing content”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic descriptions of sexual acts”
  • “Incest”
  • “Bestiality”
  • “Child abuse (mentioned)”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• NY Times: “Explores the essence of comedy, pushing boundaries with a raw and unfiltered look at the art of joke-telling. While the explicit content may not be for everyone, the film offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of comedians.
• LA Weekly: “A daring examination of comedic boundaries and the pursuit of the ultimate laugh. It’s a celebration of free speech and the willingness to challenge societal norms, but its shock value can overshadow its intellectual depth for some.
• Rolling Stone: “This is comedy at its most base and its most brilliant. The film is not for the faint of heart, but it offers a rare look at the creative process of comedy’s elite. Its legacy continues to provoke and inspire.

Audience Reactions

The sheer audacity and willingness to push comedic boundaries left viewers both shocked and laughing uncontrollably.: Most agree the film is a unique experiment in comedy that’s both hilarious and disturbing.

Many enjoyed the diverse interpretations of the joke, showcasing the unique styles of various comedians.: Audiences appreciated the film for its exploration of humor, obscenity, and freedom of speech.

Overall Consensus: A divisive film that some hail as a groundbreaking exploration of comedy, while others find it offensive and unfunny.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film originated from a conversation between Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza about the evolution and variations of ‘The Aristocrats’ joke within the comedy community.”
• “Many comedians were eager to participate, viewing it as a chance to showcase their comedic styles and push boundaries.”
• “Gilbert Gottfried’s version of the joke at the Hugh Hefner roast shortly after 9/11, which is included in the film, is often cited as a pivotal moment in the joke’s modern history and the film’s inspiration.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Aristocrats?

Currently, ‘The Aristocrats’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Availability may vary by region. Check your local streaming services for accurate listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Aristocrats, you might like these similar films:

• Comic Book Confidential (1988): A documentary exploring the world and impact of underground comics and their creators, similar to how ‘The Aristocrats’ explores comedy.
• No Joke (2009): Features interviews with stand-up comedians about what makes them funny. It focuses on the nature of comedy, similar to ‘The Aristocrats’.
• Crumb (1994): A biographical documentary about the life and work of underground comic artist Robert Crumb, delving into controversial and taboo subject matter.

🛒 The Aristocrats Related Products

• The Aristocrats: The Jokes, the Stars, the Story: A comprehensive book providing in-depth analysis of the joke, featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. A must-have for comedy enthusiasts.
• Comedy Icon T-Shirt Collection: High-quality T-shirts featuring iconic quotes and images from the comedians featured in ‘The Aristocrats.’ Show your love for comedy legends.
• Stand-Up Comedy Masterclass – Learn from the Legends: A video series offering invaluable insights from the comedians featured in ‘The Aristocrats’ on joke writing, stage presence, and comedic timing. Perfect for aspiring comedians.
• The Aristocrats: Uncensored DVD Collector’s Edition: Features additional footage, behind-the-scenes interviews, and exclusive commentary from the directors and comedians. The ultimate collector’s item for fans of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Aristocrats features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Aristocrats Theme” – performed by Various
• “Comedy Improvisation” – performed by Assorted Comedians

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Filthiest Joke Ever Told: Gilbert Gottfried – The Aristocrats

Want to hear the most outrageous version of ‘The Aristocrats’ joke ever? Gilbert Gottfried absolutely kills it in this clip – you won’t believe what he gets away with!

Kevin Pollak doing Christopher Walken doing The Aristocrats

Ever wondered what Christopher Walken would sound like telling the dirtiest joke imaginable? Kevin Pollak’s impression is spot-on and hilarious; it’s a must-see for any ‘Aristocrats’ fan!

Bob Saget Aristocrats

See Bob Saget like you’ve never seen him before! This is his adult version of the joke and it is surprisingly outrageous.

✨ Rate