American: The Bill Hicks Story (2010)

82% of critics liked it
(55 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(3,889 ratings)

15 years after his death, Bill Hicks is now more popular than ever, and is widely seen as one of the best comedian of the modern era. However, in America, where he challenged institutions and accepted ways of thinking, he suffered censorship and was never truly recognized by a wide audience. In the… More 15 years after his death, Bill Hicks is now more popular than ever, and is widely seen as one of the best comedian of the modern era. However, in America, where he challenged institutions and accepted ways of thinking, he suffered censorship and was never truly recognized by a wide audience. In the country which enshrines freedom of speech in its constitution his story is truly about what it means to be an American. -- (c) Variance

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 8, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Jun 7, 2011
Studio: Variance Films

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
Ultimately, the doc comes off as yet another reminder that, in showbiz and elsewhere, one of the greatest tragedies in life is unfulfilled promise.
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
A portrait of the short-lived artist that will move fans while letting the uninitiated witness enough onstage highlights to leave them wanting more.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
In the stand-up world, to be a cerebral comic in America is to invite anonymity. In his short life, Bill Hicks extended that invitation and, more or less, it was accepted.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Posthumous albums and now this film are securing his legacy and enduring influence.
Greg Quill, Toronto Star
The movie's appeal extends to the manner of its construction; it's an almost hypnotic kind of hybrid animation in which hundreds of photographs of Hicks in various poses and at various stages in his life are grafted onto two-dimensional backgrounds.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Recounts a bright-burning life while leaving us mostly in the dark.
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas work wonders with the old photos, animating and enhancing them to simulate Hicks' excellent adventure.
Corey Hall, Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
American plays less like a primer than a devotional, a dangerous thing for a satirist committed to "evolving ideas."
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
It's greatness as a documentary is debatable, but as a eulogy, it's damn near unparalleled.
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
Love, laughter, truth, and dick jokes. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this set does justice to one of the great American talents of the last century.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
If you have any sort of interest in stand-up comedy, this is as fine a documentary as you will see on the subject.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Hicks deserves a truly great documentary, but for now this one will do.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Doesn't impart much in the way of hard facts about Hicks, preferring an affectionate route of celebration, blindly fawning over this mystery man in a way that would likely make Hicks himself retch.
Andy Klein, Brand X
Rather than simply panning around within still photos, [the filmmakers] have taken images apart by computer and composited them, even moving bits around. ... It's a weird way to recreate missing events, but it's not as dishonest as it sounds.
Brent Simon, Shockya.com
Documentary American is stylishly told, but engaging chiefly because comedic wunderkind Bill Hicks is a bundle of contradictions.
Rob Humanick, Projection Booth
Gracefully walking the line between fan-friendly greatest hits package and newcomer-friendly biopic...
Mark Bell, Film Threat
One of the marvels of this documentary, and Bill's life, really, is that it packs so much in such a small window of life.
Robert Faires, Austin Chronicle
They bring Hicks back to life, his rants still sounding fresh and brilliant. Scorched ears never felt so good.
Chris Bumbray, JoBlo's Movie Emporium
A very entertaining examination of Hicks' life and legacy.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
American: The Bill Hicks Story is not the last word on this enduring figure in comedy, but it's certainly the most personal.

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

The life story of the highly censored and controversial Comedian Bill Hicks, which is deeply detailed with contributions from friends, family and fellow comedians. Bill Hicks seemed to be a love it or hate it type character, whose "truths" and "thoughts" were… More
The life story of the highly censored and controversial Comedian Bill Hicks, which is deeply detailed with contributions from friends, family and fellow comedians. Bill Hicks seemed to be a love it or hate it type character, whose "truths" and "thoughts" were either not what everybody would think, or were what everybody would think and not say. His humour was observational, deep, but highly amusing and often near to the knuckle, he questioned authority and practiced freedom of speech. . He threw Conspiracy theory's around and shared his stories of experimentation, all of this is captured, by those who knew him the most.
Stephen M

Friends, family and peers on the stand-up comedy circuit share their memories of the late Bill Hicks. Well, there's not a lot to say about this. If you like Bill Hicks, you'll enjoy it a lot; if you don't like Bill Hicks, it probably won't convert you; and if… More
Friends, family and peers on the stand-up comedy circuit share their memories of the late Bill Hicks. Well, there's not a lot to say about this. If you like Bill Hicks, you'll enjoy it a lot; if you don't like Bill Hicks, it probably won't convert you; and if you've never heard of Bill Hicks, this would make a damn near perfect introduction. Don't be put off thinking this is gonna be just another boring talking heads documentary; featuring some of the most ingenious photographic manipulation I have ever seen, it's considerably more cinematic than you might expect.
Spencer S

Already an admirer of the brash and certainly fearless comedian, this documentary opens up new portals of thought towards freedom of speech, what it means to be an American, and showcases the comedy of an American legend and culture icon. In the spirit of comedians George Carlin,… More
Already an admirer of the brash and certainly fearless comedian, this documentary opens up new portals of thought towards freedom of speech, what it means to be an American, and showcases the comedy of an American legend and culture icon. In the spirit of comedians George Carlin, Robin Williams, and Chris Rock, Hicks interwove the insensitive government antics of an ignorant and repulsed public with a set of comedy chops that allured the youth of the nation and made them crack a knowing grin. His sets were gritty, dirty, and hard to watch in that they were lewd and honest. Though his stage persona was an extension of himself, he delved into all the things in his life that brought about a common response in every person who attended his shows. We watch his journey from a talented newcomer on the Texas stand up scene to an obscure celebrity, not widely known but certainly followed, especially in England. His voice was that of a knowledgeable poet, and perhaps a prophet, his views not always politically correct, but at least they were well thought out and backed by more than an uniformed opinion. Certainly a fully fledged character in his own right, the documentary makes use of Hick's personal photographer, interviews with his family and friends (all too willing for the great), and footage of his sets, some well done as they are his HBO specials, and others are mere scratchy images of his times in small clubs around the country. It's a fresh take on a now old idea, but with a vibrancy that makes you sit on the edge of your seat and occasionally yell at the screen.
Reid V

An intriguing look into the life of one of the most important comedians of our generation. I have been a fan of Hicks ever since I grabbed a copy of Arizona Bay about five years ago. It was raw, prescient, and often hard to swallow. This film helps to shed much needed light on such an… More
An intriguing look into the life of one of the most important comedians of our generation. I have been a fan of Hicks ever since I grabbed a copy of Arizona Bay about five years ago. It was raw, prescient, and often hard to swallow. This film helps to shed much needed light on such an enigmatic yet absorbing figure. It is animated, quickly paced, and always entertaining even though some parts tend to feel a bit too hagiographical.
Everett J

First off, big thanks to my buddy Cory for suggesting this to me. I didn't know much about Bill Hicks before watching this. I'd heard some of his act and I knew he was dead, but other than that nothing really. Now I know more about him than most other comedians. Very… More
First off, big thanks to my buddy Cory for suggesting this to me. I didn't know much about Bill Hicks before watching this. I'd heard some of his act and I knew he was dead, but other than that nothing really. Now I know more about him than most other comedians. Very entertaining, informative, and funny. Above all else though, eye opening to the life of a guy who freely spoke his version of the truth and lived life the way he wanted to live it. I think this was released this year, and I can already say it will be a tough act to follow for other documentaries released in 2011.
Gordon A

Perfunctory autobiography which is thorough if plodding at times.
Walter M

So, I'm sure some of you are wondering about this Bill Hicks person was who I keep referencing. Well, wait no more with this inspring and entertaining documentary about this very funny comedian.(For the record, I first found out about him in the pages of the comic book… More
So, I'm sure some of you are wondering about this Bill Hicks person was who I keep referencing. Well, wait no more with this inspring and entertaining documentary about this very funny comedian.(For the record, I first found out about him in the pages of the comic book "Preacher" by Garth Ennis of all places, after Hicks' death in 1994.) "American: The Bill Hicks Story" takes a different approach than a normal biographical documentary by letting friends and family exclusively tell his story, aided by some very crude animation, starting with being raised as a strict Baptist.(Again, the stricter the upbringing, the wilder the life.) From there, we get to see the early foundations of his stand up style, showing early confidence even as a teenager.(So, there is stuff here even for obsessive fans, including a bit of footage of Hicks trying to get to the Branch Davidian compound during the siege.) Over time, that evolves into the thought provoking and provocative material that he would become best known for. Outside of his battles with drugs and alcohol, there is not that much on his personal life after he leaves home. But relax, while some material is given to his rehab, this is not a traditional weepy narrative of recovery, since he still tripped the light fantastic on psychedelic mushrooms. And I know the documentary sees it as a pity that Hicks went on the road so often to remote places with small audiences, but I look at it as a plus that he was willing to travel into hostile territory in order to confront and inform those who did not agree with him. Ironically, he was huge in Great Britain which is where this documentary is from which I also find very sad.
Lesley N

Documentary about the life and death of Bill HIcks, aggressive dissembler of bullshit in all its forms. This doesn't show much of his stand-up - but I guess you've got the videos & albums for that. Made in a cut-and-paste style to keep it watchable, with lots of old… More
Documentary about the life and death of Bill HIcks, aggressive dissembler of bullshit in all its forms. This doesn't show much of his stand-up - but I guess you've got the videos & albums for that. Made in a cut-and-paste style to keep it watchable, with lots of old photos and clips going way back to make you feel like you're getting the true story. Though as its fully endorsed by the HIcks family, you might need to take some of the rosy glow with a spoonful or two of salt.
Jason R

Such a fantastic, moving, and thought-provoking homage to one of the greatest comedians to ever grace a stage.
matt s

Bill Hicks is the most important comic of the 20th century, Here's proof.
Andrew P

Before seeing this documentary I knew of Bill Hicks, just never really watched his stand up. Fascinating insight into his early years about how he came to be the stand-up that we all know he was. It's pace drops around the middle area but makes up for it towards the end. Worth… More
Before seeing this documentary I knew of Bill Hicks, just never really watched his stand up. Fascinating insight into his early years about how he came to be the stand-up that we all know he was. It's pace drops around the middle area but makes up for it towards the end. Worth the watch regardless of what you think about the man. he was certainly talented.