Bill Hicks is a comedy legend. Far more recognised and acknowledged on British shores than his own – deeply satirical, deeply offensive and undeniably hilarious. Yet Hicks passed before he would reach his zenith at the age of thirty two – his star on the rise, never given the opportunity to fall. As a result, his material remains for everyone as his record, but the man himself was never really understood or known. To my generation Hicks is a comedian, an icon, a hero; not a man.
The great thing about American: The Bill Hicks Story is it offers audiences for the first time ever a glimpse into the man behind the comedian alter-ego he put on when stepped onto every stage. Mixing 3D animation with home footage (including his first ever public performance at the age of sixteen) the documentary charts Hicks’ difficult and, at times, painful rise into an uncaring American populace.
Only ten of the comedian’s nearest and dearest contribute to the film painting a real portrait of the comedian rather than merely celebrating his material. Their voiceovers replace standard narration, whilst the animation helps tell whatever parts of the story that are not already documented on video. The animation is a bold move that at the beginning might feel somewhat alien, though quickly settles in comfortably with the alternative comedy performances juxtaposing wonderfully.
No stone is left unturned offering insights into Hicks’ anger at the Bush administration, advertising, Hollywood as well as his rather overwhelming substance abuse problems. It is an undeniably positive portrait of Hicks even in these darker moments. Perhaps being heralded as a genius by members of his own family seem like rather hollow words, but his family are frank in acknowledging they also had problems with what he said when it came to talking about his personal life in his act. Their adoration is retrospective and they acknowledge it.
The performances that are shown are often the classic Hicks. Showcases featuring his hatred of advertising and his mockery of the first Iraq War remind fans of how relevant his material still is, despite their being performed some fifteen years earlier, while showcasing the man’s abilities for those who have never really encountered him before. The very early footage can even provoke jealousy given that his first ever performance is perfectly timed and delivered despite his relatively young age. It is a revelation to realise that while still a boy Hicks could make a crowd of adults laugh uproariously.
The true gem in this documentary though is the brief snippets of home videos featuring Hicks with his family. Displaying a very humane side to the characteristically vitriolic comedian, it is this footage that proves incredibly affecting and this is what marks out this documentary above previous documentaries about Hicks. This film does not just aim to champion and celebrate him, but manages to humanise him. His mother’s recounting of her son’s last days as he became ravaged by cancer is all the more heartbreaking when taken into the context that she is speaking about her son, not just the comedian everyone else refers to him as.
Admittedly, it is a harder watch if you are unfamiliar with the man’s work, but for fans – it is the ultimate record of a man who was a titan of comedy.
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