Watch Call Me Lucky

Call Me Lucky is a powerful and emotional documentary from director Bobcat Goldthwait that delves into the life of political satirist and stand-up comedian Barry Crimmins. The film is a raw and unflinching look at Crimmins’ journey from childhood abuse to becoming one of the most influential voices in comedy. The film begins by exploring Crimmins’ early years growing up in Skaneateles, New York. It’s quickly revealed that Crimmins suffered physical and sexual abuse as a child, but he uses humor as a coping mechanism. He begins performing stand-up comedy in the 1970s, quickly earning a reputation as both a hilarious and politically charged comic.

Call Me Lucky expertly weaves together archival footage of Crimmins’ performances with interviews from his comedian friends and colleagues, including David Cross, Marc Maron, and Patton Oswalt. These interviews provide a glimpse into Crimmins’ impact on the comedy world, as well as his tireless activism for causes such as child pornography and free speech.

One of the most harrowing portions of the film explores Crimmins’ crusade against child pornography in the early days of the internet. In the mid-1990s, Crimmins discovered that child pornography was easily accessible online, and he went to great lengths to expose the issue and get the attention of lawmakers. His tireless work ultimately led to the arrest of a child porn distributor and the passage of the 1996 Child Pornography Prevention Act.

Despite Crimmins’ many achievements, the film never shies away from the darker aspects of his life. It delves into his struggles with substance abuse and the depression that followed his traumatic childhood. However, the film also explores the hope and healing that Crimmins has found through his activism and comedy.

Throughout the film, Goldthwait—who is a close friend of Crimmins—maintains a delicate balancing act of honoring his subject while still grappling with the complexities of his life. For example, the film explores Crimmins’ shockingly dark sense of humor, which can be uncomfortable at times. However, the film also shows how that humor has been a vital part of his ability to cope with trauma.

Call Me Lucky is a moving tribute to Barry Crimmins’ life and legacy, with powerful performances and an unforgettable story that will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll. It’s a film that confronts difficult issues head-on while still managing to find moments of hope and healing. As Goldthwait himself said, “Call Me Lucky is about how you can take the most horrible thing that ever happened to you, and you can turn it into a superpower.”

Overall, Call Me Lucky is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in the power of activism, comedy, and healing in the face of trauma. It’s a deeply personal and emotional story that will inspire and challenge viewers in equal measure.

Call Me Lucky is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 64.