Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (2019) User Reviews

"Bully.Coward. Victim." vs. "Where's My Cohn?": and the winner is...

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 19 June 2020]

"Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn" (2020 release; 98 min.) is a new documentary about the life and times of Roy Cohn, albeit with a different twist. As the movie opens, we see a young girl talk about pictures of her grandparents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were executed in the 1950s for selling the atom bomb secrets to the Soviet Union. That little girl is of course Ivy Meeropol, the writer-producer-director of this documentary. It's not long before we understand that Roy Cohn, then a young District Attorney, was pivotal in ensuring the death penalty for the Rosenbergs. Meeropol uses this historical fact as a stepping stone to look at Roy Cohn's life and times. "To call him evil, it's true, but it doesn't explain everything", comments someone early in the movie.

Couple of comments: this new documentary is a labor of love by longtime documentarian Ivy Meeropol. You may recall that just last year there was another documentary about the life and times of Roy Cohn called "Where's My Roy Cohn?" which was worth seeking out. So how does this new documentary set itself apart? Several factors: first and foremost, there is of course the deeply personal connection between Ivy Meeropol and the fact that Cohn basically sent her grandparents to their death. The movie examines what exactly happened in those dark days of the early 50s (including extensive interview clips with her dad/the Rosenberg's son) and how Cohn used it as a stepping stone in his career. Second, while it is alluded to in "Where's My Cohn?", this documentary goes into far greater detail about Cohn's split personality (the public "Mr. Fix-It"/Republican Party figure vs. the private Jewish gay man). Third, this documentary spends more time on Cohn's mentoring of the then-young Donald Trump, who has never forgotten Cohn's first and foremost advice to never, ever, ever admit to anything and instead deny, deny, deny, and attack, attack, attack. Yes, the pupil of Roy Cohn is now in the White House. That is how far this country has sunk... Bottom line: while both "Bully. Coward. Victim." and "Where's My Cohn?" are worthwhile, "Bully. Victim, Coward." is the better of the two by a nose, as its deeply personal connection resonates and also the timing of this film (in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election) is perfect.

"Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn" premiered this week on HBO and is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. If you have any interest in politics and/or want to better understand how events from decades ago still influence what is happening to this very day, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

The rest of the story

[Bachfeuer · 8/10 · 21 February 2020]

The director is the granddaughter of the Rosenbergs. Their execution would never have taken place without Roy Cohn's villainy. Yet, it is crafted with such depth of understanding and refinement that no "disinterested" commentator could have done half as well. It pertains to the 2020 election, and has come along just in time to make a difference. After that, it will stand as a history lesson we will never not need. (Seen at a sneak preview with the director and her dad, Michael Meeropol in attendance. They are inspiring people! )

Stubborn, Powerful, Greedy, who went out with a sick downfall.

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 23 June 2020]

This latest look at Roy Cohn is an "HBO" doc from the Rosenbergs grandaughter it's called "Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy". Those words pretty much sum it up as it's a collection of interviews with friends, family, journalists, and associates, who knew and had dealings with the legal and business power play as thru their words they give opinions and facts about Roy's life. Clips and vintage footage is shown all during Roy's life from the Rosenberg trial right up until his death in 1986 of "AIDS". Spotlighted is his working in "NYC" with business and political leaders and how he did some money hiding. Plus he was the one to influence Donald Trump to much bigger things(like now being president!) Interviews given show Roy as cold and win at all cost also sheltered and closeted as he never admitted having "AIDS". Interviews given from the gay community were revealing and eye opening about his backdoor secrets. Overall this man was stubborn and tough who in the end had a downfall from his power and secrets. Overall good political and historical doc to watch.

Not a death blow.

[soapytiger · 7/10 · 25 July 2020]

In its attempt to show Cohn from various angles, I felt this film treated Cohn with kid gloves and danced around the edges. While the filmmaker is a granddaughter of the Rosenbergs, whom Cohn had put to death, it seems she worked out of need to humanize the madman. It's a commendable, especially given the circumstances, however I really wanted this film to slice him to ribbons. I don't fault her. The film was good and I learned a couple new things I hadn't before (duPont fracass, for one), it just ended before I was sated. I had a different set of expectations going in.

Meh

[fssd-61546 · 6/10 · 26 January 2021]

The documentary was interesting regarding Roy Cohn- he was a classic sociopath, and had some peculiar idiosyncrasies like not paying any bills. Like ever. The relationship between he and Trump was also fascinating-birds of a feather and all. The documentarian shows her hand, though. She's setting out to illustrate that because Cohn is a bad person, and he and Trump were close, her grandparents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were wrongfully convicted. Quod erat demonstrandum!! Uh, nope. No. Nah. Nah uh. Not buying it.

More proof that conservatives are just horrible people

[keithdailey-48525 · 8/10 · 25 May 2021]

This movie matches what I believe about conservatives; I enjoyed it!

Disputable excuse for a human being?

[fitzmary · 9/10 · 30 May 2021]

Excellent history lesson. An influencer of McCarthy, successfully prosecuted the Rosenbergs, and rubbed elbows with the likes of Barbara Walters, Estée Lauder, Andy Warhol, Cardinal Spellman, Trump, Fat Tony. Endless weaver of connections, always for self-benefit. A cautious tale, more pernicious because it is true.

Propaganda, Inc.

[cyamo · 3/10 · 21 June 2020]

Director/Producer Ivy Meeropol uses her documentary for a dual purpose. First, she presents Roy Cohn as the most horrible human being imaginable - a ruthless, dishonest shyster/fixer, tax evader, deadbeat, thief, and closet gay. She then makes the argument that he used false evidence in the trial that led to the conviction and execution of the notorious spies for the USRR, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg - who happen to be Ms. Meeropol's paternal grandparents. While the film doesn't go as far as proclaiming that the Rosenbergs were innocent of passing atomic bomb secrets to the Russians, she is arguing that they were unjustly convicted. Her second purpose, making her documentary oh so timely and contemporary, is to link the demonized Cohn to Donald J. Trump with every bit of archival footage and photos that her researchers turned up. She gives the impression that Cohn mentored Trump and did him and his family many political favors. The message is clear: Roy Cohn and Donald Trump are birds of a feather. But, wait - actually, Donald Trump is worse than Cohn, because after everything Roy had done for him, Trump abandons him when he is disbarred and dying of AIDS! In terms of filmmaking, the documentary is a jumble of bits and pieces from an army of frenemies, enemies, and acquaintances until they all begin to feel like repetitive filler. And although we are treated to many clips of the man himself, he proves an elusive quarry.

Fascinating

[bysterbusch · 8/10 · 29 August 2020]

An interesting documentary with a caveat that has been too prevalent lately. There appears to be lots of personal opinion and hearsay not necessarily backed by facts. It was, however, very important to bash President Trump.

Lopsided polemic attacking Roy Cohen and arguing inaccurately that Communist traitors Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were innocent

[svimburg-1 · 1/10 · 21 June 2020]

I saw there was something about Roy Cohn so I record this show because he's an interesting figure in American history. But as I was watching, I wasn't learning anything about Roy Cohen but instead I was hearing how Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were not guilty. But the Rosenbergs were definitely guilty. There's just no doubt about it. So what was I watching? And then I figured out that the Rosenberg's granddaughter produce this lopsided polemic. I learned next to nothing about Roy Cohn that I didn't already know and I had to listen to a bunch of misinformation about how the Rosenbergs were innocent when they're actually totally guilty. Only Rosenbergs or people sympathetic to the Rosenbergs will enjoy this show. Everyone else will give it one star.

This is not a documentary

[pezevenchiul · 1/10 · 24 June 2020]

Character assassination by the book, starting with children telling emotional stories, some "homophobia" and "antisemitism", and ending with Trump references. Before you find out anything real about Roy Cohn you definitely know he is the most awful person in the USA, worst than Stalin, constantly repeated, over and over. ALL of the people interviewed are biased, at least politically, or with a personal vendetta. They also try to imply that the Rosenbergs were somewhat victims even though KGB archives proved them to be spies.

Worst so-called biographical documentary ever

[sirtorch · 1/10 · 25 June 2020]

Embarrassingly one sided affair from HBO. So biased it's laughable.

Marxist Tripe

[oshea2707 · 1/10 · 23 August 2020]

Just don't bother unless you love post modernist, Marxism in droves from children.

Interesting if a bit slanted

[andrewrye-06535 · 5/10 · 23 June 2021]

I went into this documentary not being to familiar with Roy Cohn or the Rosenbergs so this review is from an outsider's (non-US) perspective and not political.

Roy Cohn was certainly an interesting individual in looks, actions and drive. A man who was gay and Jewish in a time when both would have been pilloried. He proudly declared that he has no assets so the IRD can't get them. Early on in his career (age 26) he oversaw the prosecution and eventual death by electrocution of Julius and Ethyl Rosenberg for treason (or rather conspiracy to commit espionage for the USSR) and much is made of them selling or giving the plans to the atomic bomb to the Soviets. He was an advsior to McCarthy, attorney for the mob and rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful, Trump being the main target in this documentary.

It was directed by Ivy Meeropol, a granddaughter of the Rosenbergs which is probably where the issues start. The documentary makes no bones about it's position on Roy Cohn, he is evil and this repeated through out by enemies and so called friends. It alludes to the Rosenbergs being innocent by claiming an unfair trial where lies were used to ensure a guilty verdict. Although no deep dive or proof, just a lot of innuendo and finger pointing. In fact if you listen carefully there is the admission that Julius was guilty to some degree and Ethyl was innocent. This line was not pursued. Unfortunately for the family, both have since been proven guilty through Soviet records and were major suppliers of information.

What is evident is that this documentary's main aim was to discredit Roy Cohn in his private life as well as business life despite his success. Salacious rumors and gossip abounded. His involvement with Studio 54, his toyboys were ever present and his grand living despite having no assets. There was a segment on the bank account of one of his lovers (Peter Fraser) where 100 of 1000s of dollars were deposited from RCs business. What a shame this wasn't explored more instead it was labelled money laundering and mentioned no more. He frequently ignored paying bills and wrote notes to his secretary not to pay accounts.

Interviews with the gay community who 'saw' RC at various gay hotspots and who were only too keen to spill the beans. His friends (none of whom I've ever heard of) regaling stories of his tight fistedness with funny stories of items being delivered then reclaimed after non-payment.

And eventually his death from AIDS which he denied having till the end.

Where this went wrong in my opinion is that it had an agenda. If he was such good friends with the high and powerful where were the interviews? Who is a friend with an evil man? He had a huge attendance to his birthday party but no one was interviewed. He was with Peter Fraser till the end but no interview (assuming he is still alive). I'm sure RC was a man you didn't trifle with and may even have been thoroughly disreputable, even evil but there was no balance in the 'documentary'. You just had to take the narrators word for it. The clips were were tied in with the gay scene of New York from the 70s and much was made of his personal life although very little corroborated, gossip aside. What of his business and how he made money? Why was he liked, what did he do for them or what did he have over them. Trump was trotted out as the 'high and powerful' yet he was also an advisor to Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Rupert Murdoch.

There were too many stories that needed deep diving (Rosenbergs, dealings with the Mafia and his hand in NY contracts to name a few) but the only thing that was explored, maybe too deep was his sexuality. A shame really, he looks to be worthy of a better exploration to really find the man who is Roy Cohn.

I gave it a 5, it kept me interested and I will do more research and as salacious as the gossip and 70s gay scene was it kept me watching to the end. A 5 for the voyeur in me.