Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic
In the stand-up comedy shockumentary "The Aristocrats," comedian Sarah Silverman proved she could be every bit as crass as many of her vile male cohorts, which is really saying something.However, in her first concert movie, which has been subtitled "Jesus Is Magic," Silverman goes even further with her caustic verbal assaults. No subject is taboo as she discusses and parodies racism, organized religion (mostly Christian), AIDS and the 9/11 tragedy.
As expected, whether you find any of this funny depends on your tolerance for outrageously and politically incorrect humor. There are some extremely funny moments, though it may be asking too much from the audience to wade through most of the material to get to them.
"Jesus Is Magic" features fictional wrap-around sequences, in which Silverman desperately tries to impress a pair of friends and then has to come up with a one-woman show. That show includes a handful of musical numbers, a couple of skits and longer snippets from one of her stand-up concerts.
Probably the film's most controversial moments come when Silverman examines the accusations of racism that stem from one of her appearances on Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show, as well as when she makes some good-natured jabs at slain civil-rights leader Martin Luther King.
Still, she does make some surprisingly astute observations, and the musical numbers are amusing. "You're Gonna Die Soon" is a cruel ode to the elderly, and her low-brow version of "Amazing Grace" is destined to become a classic for frat boys.
"Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic" is not rated but would probably receive an R for frequent use of strong profanity, crude humor about and references to sexual and other bodily functions, drug references and simulated drug use (marijuana), some brief, simulated sex, use of racial epithets, and some nude artwork. Running time: 70 minutes.
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