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Can We Take a Joke?

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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49

USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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3.0

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3.0	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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Can We Take A Joke?

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Can We Take a Joke?

Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: July 29, 2016 | Not Rated

Summary: In the age of social media, nearly every day brings a new eruption of outrage. While people have always found something to be offended by, their ability to organize a groundswell of opposition to-and public censure of-their offender has never been more powerful. Today we're all one clumsy joke away from public ruin. Can We Take A Joke?In the age of social media, nearly every day brings a new eruption of outrage. While people have always found something to be offended by, their ability to organize a groundswell of opposition to-and public censure of-their offender has never been more powerful. Today we're all one clumsy joke away from public ruin. Can We Take A Joke? offers a thought-provoking and wry exploration of outrage culture through the lens of stand-up comedy, with notables like Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette, Lisa Lampanelli, and Adam Carolla detailing its stifling impact on comedy and the exchange of ideas. What will future will be like if we can't learn how to take a joke?… Expand

Director: Ted Balaker

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 74 min

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Metascore

Critic Reviews

70

The Hollywood Reporter

Frank Scheck

Jul 28, 2016

It's hard not to have mixed reactions while watching Ted Balaker's documentary Can We Take a Joke? about how political correctness is stifling free speech, particularly when it comes to satire and stand-up comedy. Read full review

63

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jun 22, 2016

More voices would have been nice, and just one person, on camera, defending the whole “safe space” where “hate speech” and “bullying” is banned on campuses is a grievous omission. Read full review

60

Los Angeles Times

Michael Rechtshaffen

Jul 28, 2016

The film, narrated by comedian Christina Pazsitzky, raises some interesting observations about the climate on many of today’s college campuses, where the former havens for free speech (it’s noted that Bruce lectured at UCLA in 1966) have become especially vulnerable in regard to violated comfort zones. Read full review

50

The New York Times

Neil Genzlinger

Jul 28, 2016

The documentary Can We Take a Joke?, a one-sided look at a multisided issue, does a fine job of defending a comic’s right to perform incendiary material. It would be better if it also at least acknowledged the possibility that some jokes ought not be told. Read full review

38

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Jul 29, 2016

The film will play well among standup comics who feel they've been muzzled by humorless slogan-spouting liberals, bluenoses and the generally squeamish. Read full review

30

Village Voice

Chris Packham

Jul 28, 2016

Ted Balaker's Can We Take a Joke? is a surprisingly self-righteous and unfunny documentary in which shelf-dated comedians spend 74 minutes misinterpreting the First Amendment to mean that behaving like an asshole should have no social consequences. Read full review

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User Reviews

4

drlowdon

Feb 20, 2021

Featuring contributions from people like Gilbert Gottfried and Penn Jillette, ‘Can we Take a Joke?’ looks at the culture of outrage in the age of social media from the perspective of stand-up comedians. The subject of free speech and causing offence are worthy of discussion, and thisFeaturing contributions from people like Gilbert Gottfried and Penn Jillette, ‘Can we Take a Joke?’ looks at the culture of outrage in the age of social media from the perspective of stand-up comedians. The subject of free speech and causing offence are worthy of discussion, and this documentary certainly highlights the potential dangers of censorship and allowing mobs on social media to dictate what people can and can’t say. Unfortunately this whole movie is very one-sided, and often tries to make the subject far more simple than it actually is. The film-makers seem to want audiences to come to the conclusion that people should be able to say anything they like without consequence, and there is no discussion as to the social issues (and violence) that can be caused by hate speech and radicalisation. In the end, what could have been a thought provoking discussion, plays out more like a propaganda piece...… Expand

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