Photo-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.Photo-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.Photo-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.
- Awards
- 4 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen co-director Matt Harlock won the confidence of Bill Hicks's family, it gained him access to 1300 photos and lots of unseen footage.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Grierson 2010: The British Documentary Awards (2010)
Featured review
Illuminating enough insight into someone regarded as one of the finest comic minds of our times
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Coming from a country famous for making an institution out of stand up comedy, for many an insincere route to bigger things, Bill Hicks is certainly a name that stands out in many 'best jokes ever' polls over here, despite being, interestingly, American, where people are known to be a little more sensitive. And, it would seem he got his big break over here, his true talent and potential not being explored in his native country enough, where he either caused too much offence or was simply a misunderstood genius. Basically, the guy has a massive cult following that has continued many years after his death and this documentary attempts to cast light on his life and times, without reflecting too much on the influence he still has today.
Hicks didn't seem to let how much he was far away from where he went to become famous stand in his way at all, chasing his small town boy dream with all the confidence and gusto of a tornado, a character possessed by a dynamic mind that refused to be restrained who, like the best of anyone, ended up living fast and dying young. People are appreciated more in death, for sure, but it's undeniably often the case that people with an unquestionable talent in whatever medium they are in can be taken away in their prime, and it's definitely sad to see all that potential and talent taken away.
This is a sincere, honest, insightful, revealing and well made enough expose of Hicks, opening up his unique observations and comedy stylings to a new generation of viewers. ***
Coming from a country famous for making an institution out of stand up comedy, for many an insincere route to bigger things, Bill Hicks is certainly a name that stands out in many 'best jokes ever' polls over here, despite being, interestingly, American, where people are known to be a little more sensitive. And, it would seem he got his big break over here, his true talent and potential not being explored in his native country enough, where he either caused too much offence or was simply a misunderstood genius. Basically, the guy has a massive cult following that has continued many years after his death and this documentary attempts to cast light on his life and times, without reflecting too much on the influence he still has today.
Hicks didn't seem to let how much he was far away from where he went to become famous stand in his way at all, chasing his small town boy dream with all the confidence and gusto of a tornado, a character possessed by a dynamic mind that refused to be restrained who, like the best of anyone, ended up living fast and dying young. People are appreciated more in death, for sure, but it's undeniably often the case that people with an unquestionable talent in whatever medium they are in can be taken away in their prime, and it's definitely sad to see all that potential and talent taken away.
This is a sincere, honest, insightful, revealing and well made enough expose of Hicks, opening up his unique observations and comedy stylings to a new generation of viewers. ***
helpful•12
- wellthatswhatithinkanyway
- Aug 28, 2011
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- The Bill Hicks Story
- Filming locations
- Houston, Texas, USA(location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $92,234
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,872
- Apr 10, 2011
- Gross worldwide
- $92,234
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was American: The Bill Hicks Story (2009) officially released in India in English?
Answer