George Carlin's American Dream
Season 1 Premiere:
May 20, 2022
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
85
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.1
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim
85
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 24, 2022
91
“George Carlin’s American Dream” may run close to four hours, but it’s also Apatow’s most politically incisive work to date.
May 20, 2022
88
Specials about comedy talents are often just excuses to watch the best bits of a famous star, but “George Carlin’s American Dream” is way more than that. It is loving and appreciative of his genius without ever devolving into fan service.
May 19, 2022
88
No doubt Carlin’s observations are as relevant as ever in 2022, and that’s all laid out in the entertainingly comprehensive documentary from Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio—but I also love that this film is the definitive reminder that whether Carlin was making Big Picture Statements or engaging in relatively lightweight stand-up antics, he was flat-out effing funny.
May 20, 2022
85
Assembled with a level of ambition worthy of Carlin’s verbal dexterity, directors Judd Apatow (who not long ago produced a similar ode to Garry Shandling) and Michael Bonfiglio have endeavored to contextualize the comic’s work through key events.
May 20, 2022
83
There are plenty of talking heads, too—Patton Oswalt, W. Kamau Bell, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, Sam Jay, Bill Burr, Steven Wright—but they never stray into redundant “You have to understand, Carlin was a genius” territory. The vast majority of them have something meaty and specific to say. ... Over these nearly four hours, one thing that stands out is the man’s tenacity.
May 17, 2022
80
The point ultimately is to treasure the record that Carlin left and to lament that that record didn’t include two or three decades more of scathing commentary and reflection — both the taking down of politicians and sacred cows and the fart jokes and funny voices. Here it largely succeeds, and four hours spent listening to George Carlin is four hours well spent.
Jun 9, 2022
75
George Carlin’s American Dream effectively shows all sides of Carlin—a class clown, a rebel, a former idealist, a husband, a loner, a father, an artist—and reiterates his lasting legacy as a talented comedian who keenly understood the human condition.
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.1
86% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
9% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Jun 16, 2022
10
It's George **** said. His is the first comedy album I ever heard. He is the first person to make me question...everything, but in a very human way. It was so perfect to have this insight into his family and career, and I noticed just how exemplary he conducted himself. Even when I thought that the documentary was going to go down that tired old road of blaming him for the issues his wife suffered through, it pulled back on the stick to reveal that it was just another trough to be pulled back up by the crest. Exactly as he would do; shock you then make you laugh and feel. He's up there with so many prophets in my life and I miss his insight dearly. I'm not a religious person either, but boy that's a nice thought. That one day when I die, I would get to meet him and so many others at a huge party in my honor with all my friends, loved ones, and the people that I admired so much.
