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Al Franken: God Spoke

Larger than life
By GERALD PEARY  |  October 4, 2006
3.5 3.5 Stars


AL FRANKEN: GOD SPOKE Al speaks, and he’s a mensch.
Like Michael Moore, Al Franken is a larger-than-life left-of-center commentator who attracts a worshipful following. Unlike Moore, as this winning documentary attests, he’s a mensch. Chris Hegedus (The War Room) and Nick Doob love their subject, and this is the most affectionate of portraits. We see Franken bring on the charm, the wit, the intelligence while hosting a progressive radio show arguing with Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly, showboating before troops in Iraq with his Saddam Hussein impersonation, and hanging at home with his wife. All along he ponders whether to reclaim for Democrats the Senate seat in Minnesota once held by his late friend Paul Wellstone. Would he have to sanitize himself beyond recognition — that is, disown his repertoire of hilarious filthy jokes? (One caveat: a debate with Ann Coulter that was originally in the film has been deleted because Ms. Coulter refused permission for it to be shown.)

On the Web
Al Franken: God Spoke's Web site:http://www.godspokefilm.com/

Related: Sundance kids?, Ditto drama, 00-Panetta, More more >
  Topics: Reviews , Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity,  More more >
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 See all articles by: GERALD PEARY



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