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.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings