Black & White World

Fuck (2005)

Interesting documentary which I had hoped would be closer to fascinating—I would have liked to start this review by saying it was “fucking awesome.” Being the word geek that I am, I would have preferred more time on the history and the cloudy origins of the word, rather than the political nonsense.  I’m sure there’s plenty of conservative Republicans who use the word “fuck;” I’m just not sure I buy the premise that it’s a liberal, underground, revolutionary word.

It’s funny at times, interesting at other times, and boring at other times.  A real middle-of-the-road documentary.  The animations (by Bill Plympton) were fun; I particularly liked the one set to “Surfin’ Bird.” Least self-aware comment by interviewee:  Steven Bochco - “I wish I had a buck for every person who complained to the FCC [about NYPD Blue].” Um, Mr. Bochco?  You do have that many bucks.  Probably a lot more.

A side note:  Judith “Miss Manners” Martin has, quite simply, the most frightening mouthful of rotten yellow teeth I have ever seen.  Maybe she just wasn’t lit well, maybe it was the contrast against her pale skin, her beautiful shock of white hair and her ruby-red painted lips, but damn, those teeth were scary.  Apparently there is some etiquette law against brushing one’s teeth that I am not aware of.