God Bless America

Perhaps Bobcat Goldthwait has an ax to grind, or perhaps he’s just saying what the rest of us are thinking. Either way, don’t expect to see him on “Celebrity Apprentice” or “Dancing With the Stars” anytime soon.

Goldthwait skewers the dumbing down of the United States — from the lack of decorum in pop culture to the absence of decency in everyday conversation — in God Bless America, the latest sharply observed comedy from the actor-turned-filmmaker.

It’s a provocative satire about the decline in kindness and tolerance in everyday culture, from insensitive jerks on the street to fame-hungry stars and gossip hounds on reality television and talk shows, to borderline obscene references on social media sites.

Enter Frank (Joel Murray), a middle-aged man who has had enough. He was recently fired while going through a divorce, and was told by his doctor that he has a brain tumor. He also struggles to seek refuge from the everyday stupidity around him.

After buying a gun and contemplating suicide, Frank decides to vent his frustration with a murder spree involving irritating celebrities, talk-show pundits, reality-show stars, and anyone who stands in his way. Along the way, he picks up an accomplice in a disenfranchised teenager (Tara Lynne Barr) who shares his appetite for vigilante justice.

The film could provide an overdue breakout role for Murray, a younger brother of Bill Murray whose extensive resume includes a small role in The Artist and supporting parts on numerous television shows.

But the real star of the film is Goldthwait’s razor-tongued script, which contains some choice rants and clever reality TV send-ups before settling for a predictable finale. It hints at politics without turning political, and it doesn’t pull many punches.

Some might agree with Frank’s viewpoints, and others may not, but that shouldn’t inhibit enjoyment of the film. Goldthwait seems to be taking his character’s behavior to extremes not as a suggestion, but to generally stir the pot.

Something like this would have been more controversial 10 or 15 years ago, when Americans weren’t used to being shocked by something on television or grossed out by something online on an almost daily basis. That God Bless America is almost tame by today’s standards essentially proves its point.

Rated R, 104 minutes.