33. Bill Cosby: Himself (1983) - Dir. Bill Cosby
I've always admired comedians who are funny, socially relevant, and topical without relying on an abundance of swear-words and sexual humor. Sure, sometimes we all need some crass in our lives, but I often find comedians who rely on this kind of humor do so because they don't really have much to say, and so they go for the easy laugh. During the hour and forty-five minutes of Bill Cosby: Himself, Mr. Cosby only lets two cuss words fly - one “asshole,” and a couple utterances of “dammit”- and these words are merely within the punchlines of jokes that are already dang funny.
Cosby is a master story teller, and by framing his comedy within the confines of everyday-life he is able to touch upon a common nerve within American society. Much of this film is comprised of the Cos talking about his wife and kids. He comically describes how his kids have turned his once beautiful wife into a screaming demon with a contorted face, and he talks at length about how all kids have brain damage. There are a handful of classic comedy bits here that have been engraved in my mind, and in the minds of thousands like me. Just thinking of having chocolate cake for breakfast (father, may we have chocolate cake?), or walking into Burger King while high (...and then...he put the meet...between two pieces of bread...and I said oh no...and the guy ate it), or hugging the toilet after drinking too much (thank you toilet...), or his kids fighting while taking a shower cracks me the heck up.
The majority of Cosby's humor is found within the family, and it is a kind of humor that many people can relate to, at least on some level. While I am sure this film is even funnier to parents who have experienced the brain damage first hand, it is still funny to those of us who have had parents - we who have been the source of said brain damage. But what's more, while Cosby is relating these amazingly funny stories to his audience, we can see the thoughtfulness in his face. These are not just jokes here, he is giving us a glimpse into the complex relationships shared between mothers and fathers and their children. Cosby has a face that expertly mirrors his unique brand of humor. His example of the father's look (totally confounded), and his wife's conniption fit after she finds out that he has given his kids chocolate cake for breakfast are two of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Watching this film now can be a bittersweet experience knowing what has happened to Cosby's son. So many of the stories and jokes revolve around his son, and it is a bit sad to think about his son's murder. During my last viewing I thought at length about how Cosby might watch this performance, if he even does any more. I have a feeling that Cosby is the kind of man who could watch this while getting choked up, but be reminded of the good times in his life and not be over taken by the memories of his family's tragedy. I can't even count how many times I've seen this film, and I know this will be a film I return to many times throughout my life. Watching Bill Cosby: Himself is like visiting an old place that I loved as a kid, and a place that I continue to find valuable and uplifting as an adult. It is good to laugh, and to laugh at good natured comedy, and there isn't much out there that makes me laugh harder than Bill Cosby at his best.
