Movie Review: The Aristocrats 3.75-5

A family walks into a talent agent's office claiming they have a terrific act that will make tons of money. The talent agent replies, let’s see it, and the family begins committing the most disgusting, revolting acts imaginable. They finish, TA-DAH!, panting, teeth gleaming, jazz hands shimmering. The talent agent nods, sits back in his chair, and asks what the family calls this act. Their response: “THE ARISTOCRATS!”

The 2005 documentary, “The Aristocrats,” co-created by Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette celebrates the grotesque genius of this joke as the creators document 100 of their comedian friends, such as George Carlin, Drew Carey, Sarah Silverman, Paul Reiser, Whoppie Goldberg, and Gilbert Gottfried, sharing their versions of the joke. The set-up and punch line are always the same: family walks into a talent agent’s office, the agent asks what the act is called, and they respond, “the aristocrats,” but the different versions of disgusting family acts are infinite with the only barrier being the extent of a comedian’s own vile imagination.

It takes a certain type of mind and sense of humor to truly enjoy this joke and the documentary as the different versions of the joke frequently feature bestiality, incest, sodomy, vomit, feces, urine, and other bodily fluids. Many out there will laugh hysterically throughout the entire film but most will turn it off in disgust. Some will probably even gouge their eyes out, or scream “Hallelujah” and run to the nearest church to repent.

If you have the stomach for it, Bob Saget’s version of “The Aristocrats” alone is worth seeing the film as his is beyond nasty and therefore the funniest. In comedic circles, he is known as one of the dirtiest comics out there, but mainstream audiences won’t believe the filth that comes out of Danny Tanner’s mouth. His rendition is definitely not the advice DJ would be looking for after Gibbler stole her boyfriend. How rude!

I laughed throughout the entire documentary, although it did get a bit repetitive towards the end. The most shocking part for me was that not the amount of crap being thrown around or the numerous family members committing sexual acts, but that Paul “Mad About You” Reiser actually made me laugh. It’s a good thing Helen Hunt wasn’t around. Also, it was a treat watching the late George Carlin recount the history of the joke.

“The Aristocrats” is a must see for dirty-minded individuals and comedy connoisseurs, but I suggest keeping a six pack of soap nearby.