Public Speaking

Not only do I count myself a Fran Leibowitz fan but I bought this movie hungry for her particular brand of acerbic insightful wit. There are certainly some sharp bon mot layered in to some depth between short bits about her friends, her life in New York, but ultimately I felt the woman had been softened and polished more than was necessary. For a friend Leibowitz fan this is an opportunity to meet the woman in a more conversational mode. The aspects of Fran the deliberate sharp minded wit and her explanations of her life and influences are balanced but I don't feel I know Miss Leibowitz that much better or have had the chance to enjoy the best of her mind.The advantage of reading the work of Miss Leibowitz either as collected in her more famous books or in her occasional essays with Vanity Fair is that you meet her focused on a topic and exhausting what she has to say about that topic. In the movie you get a variety of high points, bits of narrative and some very interesting video moments of some of the people who help illustrate points she is making. It is not immediately clear, for example why James Baldwin in debate with Bill Buckley Junior is part of this movie but it does not take much to align their brilliantly worded debate points with the kind of New York experience Miss Leibowitz is describing. There are several efforts to distinguish wit defined as being sharp edge and judge mental as opposed to humor which is defined as friendly. While this point is fairly well made the discussion relating jazz rhythms and successful joke telling is abandoned as an incomplete thought.Fran Leibowitz fans are logical audience for this documentary. Speaking as one I conclude that it is almost all that I would want from this kind of documentary. For a person using this documentary as an introduction to Miss Leibowitz there is some good background but I'm not sure this conversation works as an introduction. It is a very friendly documentary and Scorsese is adept at varying the visuals to maintain interest I wish he had been so free with the editing.

This is a highly entertaining documentary that does great credit to its two protagonists. No doubt it has to be Fran Liebowitz who takes the prize, but that is in no small measure thanks to Martin Scorsese who has managed to present his subject in a most natural environment, where you feel as though you are present in the proceedings, and the director (although you see the back of his head) seems invisible.Such is the extraordinary force of her personality and humour, that there is never a dull moment. That in fact is quite some compliment since I have never actually heard of Fran Liebowitz before (unfortunately). I shan't attempt to describe the contents of this extended interview, since those who already know Fran Liebowitz need no introduction, and those who don't - well you don't know what you're missing (unless you don't happen to like the New York "take" on life).I thank Mr. Scorsese for helping me make up for lost time, and if ever he should think of a sequel, count me in!

Lebowitz is a national treasure. She has the kind of intelligence and wit that leads commentators to refer to her as a "throwback" to an earlier generation (1840s, 1880's, 1920s, 1940s?) when literary wit was cultivated and heralded. I love the reviews here by incensed folks who thought they could substitute 5 to 10 years of participation in public speaking programs by Toastmasters International with a DVD documentary on a cultural commentary icon. Seriously. So, Fran, if you want to up your rating, please ask Martin to update the progam by adding more guidance for dry mouth and techniques to cover when drawing a blank.I've watched the DVD three times and shared it around with friends, so it's a gem I'll come back to often.

I watched this great interview of Fran Lebowitz when it originally aired on HBO. Ever since then, I had been impatiently awaiting its arrival on DVD.While I knew a lot about Scorsese going into it, I knew nothing about Fran. Personally, I think it made the experience that much more engaging. The interview is conducted in such a way that you feel like you are getting to know a new friend. Likewise, it doesn't hurt that Fran is a master conversationalists who handles the questions with "elan". ;)A few side notes: The extras are interesting, but as a whole I was left wanting more (this is to the film's credit, as I never wanted it to end). Also, Scorsese directs the interview, and subsequent film, while sitting in on said interview, but he is NOT the one asking the questions. Bear this in mind.All in all, highly recommended for the discerning viewer.

I loved it, I love hearing from someone like Fran Leibovitz, and Scorsese is the perfect person to present her to the world!

This documentary is a must see! Fran Lebowitz is a true visionary regarding life in the current age of disfunction. A curmudgeonly view with a biting sense of humor!

We throughly enjoyed watching this video of Fran - So funny, spot on and hilarious.

This was great! Fran is at her best, witty, funny, intelligent, and very perceptive.I had forgotten about her for a long time, after seeing her on Letterman back in the early 80's. I developed quite a crush on her at the time, after seeing her walk on stage, totally hot in 501's and loafers, with beautiful blue eyes and wonderfully thick hair. Yes, she's changed some, but still the same great wit.Wish she had contact info, or even a social site (yes, she has a Facebook page, but it's created by her publisher).

Fran is wonderful, she is an american original, smart, perceptive and funny.It's a great essay on how we are asleep.I felt richer for having seen this.Scorsese did a great job, simple unobtrusive.I highly recommend this dvd.

I've already watched this film three times and could watch it again soon, it's so full of genuine wit, insight and intelligence. Lebowitz is clearly channeling Oscar Wilde in a New York context and succeeds big time in this wonderful video portrait. One of the most stimulating and entertaining films you'll ever see!

Es un magnífico antecedente a la ahora serie que tiene Fran Lebowitz en Netflix.

Fran is all you need to know. dgp

fran, marty, and the other guy are awesome, hilarious,humans at their best, being real, having a good time,entertaining others, i totally enjoyed it.