Why Lie? I Need a Drink

Comedian Keith Lowell Jensen sets out to confront the myth of the well-to-do professional panhandler in Why Lie? I Need a Drink, standing on a freeway off-ramp in Sacramento with a cardboard sign to see what kind of hourly wage he can make from begging. While his objective is bold, the somewhat generically hipsterish Jensen can't help but approach the task with a satirical, ironic distance. First he begs in a banana outfit, and then he dresses as a mime, an out-of-work stockbroker, and an Internet geek needing more bandwidth, before finally trying to panhandle by phone. All of these silly, vain attempts at proving a point net him a few dollars an hour but also seem far removed from the truly destitute people trying to survive without the benefit of costumes and other gimmickry. The real worth of Jensen's effort is its serious side, which comes via extended interviews with folks who live on the street and panhandle out of necessity. These testimonials, along with perspectives from local police officers on panhandling as a mildly criminal activity offer valuable insights into the everyday degradation and very real dangers of pleading for money on the side of the road. DVD extras include an interview with Jensen, and deleted scenes. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)