Can We Take a Joke?

The new documentary "Can We Take a Joke?" will almost certainly offend you as you watch it. There are a lot of obscenities and tons of politically incorrect comments and jokes in poor taste…and some of them are bound to hit your hot buttons. For instance, a few of the comedians they interview I happen to strongly dislike. So why would anyone want to see a film that makes you them mad….and why would I recommend you give the film a try?

The film mostly concerns the recent trend towards political correctness and the rise in individual outrage and how it relates to comedians…folks who are almost certain to incite folks because they often deliberately seek to offend. Much of the film looks back to Lenny Bruce and his many run-ins with the police involving free speech. It then draws a parallel to today…though this free speech is not being suppressed by the government but by ourselves and our universities. When the film is making this argument, lots of very offensive comedians are featured…including the likes of Lisa Lampanelli and Gilbert Gottfried. Again, as I mentioned above, these folks say offensive stuff and you will be challenged to keep watching it…it's inevitable.

So am I suggesting you watch the film because I want you to be offended or insulted? Certainly not---I want to live in a world where people are civil and treat each other decently. But the documentary brings up a lot of good points despite offending the viewer and think it's important we listen and think about their message. Here are just a few of the topics brought up in the film: --Where do we draw the line with what is acceptable and what isn't? This is especially problematic because everyone has different 'hot buttons'….so what offends you may not offend your neighbor.

--The First Amendment is not necessarily the same as free speech. How you can have a First Amendment and STILL not be free to speak your mind?

--We seem to be in a 'gotcha' culture where anyone can say the wrong thing and become part of the 'villain of the week' on social media. This means folks on the left, right and center could accidentally walk into a firestorm of anger and protest.

--Where is this all going to lead? Will the United States become like Europe or Canada where you can get arrested if you say something that is construed as offensive? And, what will the world be like if this is the case?

"Can We Take a Joke?" is a challenging film and makes you think about yourself as well as your own personal comfort zone—and this is something rare in a documentary. A good documentary challenges you or your beliefs…and this one sure will. Do I always agree with it? No…especially when some of the comedians they interview say that nothing should be taboo when it comes to free speech. That makes me very uncomfortable, as I sure would hate to hear folks making fun of rape or cancer. But despite offending me, it did get my attention and I appreciate that.

Ironically, this film has no closed captions. I am hard of hearing and my daughter is deaf….and I guess this omission is actually a bit offensive now that I think about it.

While they did a good job of pointing out that American colleges are trying to turn the students into hardline communists who use violence against anyone they don't agree with and that being offensive can make you lose your job, they didn't spend any time talking about how the only way a comedian can be on tv now is if they are anti-white and/or anti-straight. They also ignored that all the online streaming services only have black and gay comedy specials. The streaming site I watched this on has hundreds of stand up specials and all the comics that are white are gay. It's pretty funny to hear Lisa Lampanelli say that they(offensive comics) are never going away and less than 3 years later she retired from stand up because she couldn't get any work. Stand up comedy is dead and America is next.

"When they come after the comedians, that's when you worry" In the age of rampant censorship and forced virtue signaling, this is more important than even when it first aired. Under new cultural mandates and anti-first amendment crusaders, comedians have been targeted and cancelled for saying the quiet part out loud. Not even satire is safe from the ministry of thought police. Watch this and marvel at how much humor has changed under the dictates of the rage-filled mob.

The nature and content here are far more evocative and challenging than in most comedy docs. While it's a bit amateurish at times (especially the narration), the discussion of free speech is thoughtful; Jim Norton always surprises me, and Gottfried is just the best. Even the few talking heads I actively dislike who are highlighted here (Lampenelli, Carolla) made me wonder: do I think they should be silenced, should I fold my arms in disgust, or should I just ignore them?

Loved this. I thought it covered an aspect of outrage culture where the people who are mad are not necessarily victims but instead just on a power trip or trying to "pat themselves on the back." The documentary covers different comedy-related incidents that resulted in outrage, all offline. I had no idea cops used to go to comedy clubs and arrest speakers for saying things like "cocksucker." "Is it safe to hold unpopular views on campus?" there are news statistics, etc.

Lost 2 stars for the typography effects at the beginning, a bit too much motion for me.

Must see for anyone who loves comedy, wants to perform or write comedy, is interested in the First Amendment and self-expression and pop culture fanatics.