I Am Sam Kinison (2017)

I Am Sam Kinison is an engrossing documentary delving into the turbulent life and legacy of the iconic rebel comedian, Sam Kinison. Born a Pentecostal preacher, Kinison spectacularly transformed his life, trading the sanctified pulpit for the unbridled chaos of MTV-era comedy. His journey to stardom is a tumultuous ride, marked by glory, excess, despair, and an almost-redemptive climax, abruptly cut short by a tragic accident in 1992. The film weaves Kinison's narrative predominantly through his own voice, using copious clips from his comedy specials. The topics are as diverse as they are audacious - from marriage, women, and homosexuality to God, religion, and world hunger. His comedic style is a relentless storm of humor and shock, a whirlwind of shrieking and misanthropic riffing. Additional layers of perspective are ingeniously provided by a vibrant ensemble of friends, family, fellow comics, and celebrity comrades. The tale is further adorned by animated sequences that inject a playful vibrancy into the interviews, which range from uproarious to poignant. The narrative is punctuated by compelling storytelling from figures such as Jay Leno, Bill Burr, Ted Nugent, Charlie Sheen, Joe Rogan, Corey Feldman, Bob Saget, Tommy Chong, Ron Jeremy, and many more. Kinison's life story begins with a childhood head injury, leading to a series of failures, from his time as a preacher to a humiliating marriage. It's not until he steps onto a comedy club stage in Houston that he discovers his true calling. But the mainstream audiences aren't ready for his revolutionary style, and it takes years of struggle before his message is truly heard. Despite the hedonistic excess of his fame and fortune, Kinison never loses his faith in God. His story, strewn with biblical themes, is a wild rollercoaster of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. I Am Sam Kinison is a thunderous journey through a life that broke the mould, a career that defied conventions, and a comedic style that forever changed the landscape of humor.

I Am Sam Kinison is a documentary movie featuring Sam Kinison.

It is possible to buy I Am Sam Kinison on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.