Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill

Feisty Yemen-born transvestite Eddie Izzard is hilarious in this 1998 Emmy-winning, HBO-aired, San Francisco live stand-up performance. Dressed in heels, an adorable tunic, shiny (vinyl?) pants, and evening-wear makeup, Izzard gets down to business with a clarification between the different types of transvestites ("weirdo," "executive" and "action"). With impeccable timing, comical expressions, and candid, clever language, Izzard jokes about a wide range of topics including gun control, Hitler's demise, the role of flags in imperialism, the Pilgrims, Bill Clinton, gospel music, snowboarding, Scooby-Doo, anthrax, Stonehenge, and Engelbert Humperdinck. DVD extras include audio commentary by Izzard, "Dress to Circle" (rough footage from a Paris routine), the six-minute featurette "America 1998 (homage to Ken Burns)," and web links. Combining sharp insights with caustic humor, Izzard's casually earnest routine is well-deserving of its many kudos, and is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams)