The King of Comedy Reviews and Ratings


  • Yelverton
    November 20, 2009
    Yelverton
    I found this movie more disturbing than funny.
  • cotaxidriver
    November 3, 2009
    cotaxidriver
    One of the underestimated Scorsese's movies.
  • rajiv23gooners
    November 1, 2009
    rajiv23gooners
    the forgotten masterpiece.,
    i love everything about this movie, probably the best comedy film i've ever seen..
  • dukeakasmudge
    October 29, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    Deniro & Jerry Lewis were brilliant.I love this movie
  • tsigur
    October 6, 2009
    tsigur
    De Niro is amazing, one of his best performances. I watched this movie again and it was like watching for the first time. I honestly think this is one of Scorsese's best. Not only is De Niro amazing, but also what surprised me is how amazing Jerry Lewis is in this film. It seems ...( read more)like every performance in this film is extremely naturalistic and that just shows how great Scorsese is with actors. There is also the scene stealing Sandra Bernhard who really astounds ("I feel like Tina Turner!!" is one of my favorite lines of the movie.) There is also the mixture of reality and the surreal which is done perfectly. The scene where he is standing in front of the black and white picture of everyone laughing is a work of art. One of the best of the black comedies and worth another watch if you haven't seen it in a while.
  • acknowledge101
    September 24, 2009
    acknowledge101
    hilarious and strange. jerry lewis plays the straight guy (for the most part) and de niro's the moron comedian. the best part is probably de niro's final (only) monologue. the whole movie, he doesn't tell a single joke, and is just idiotic. so at the end, when he's actually p...( read more)retty good, it's just absolute movie magic. sandra bernhard is also very good and even more insane than de niro's character. one of scorsese's better films and likely his best comedy.
  • rajanaufal2
    September 17, 2009
    rajanaufal2
    Scorsese's fifth teamup with DeNiro is surely the most original. Well it's a dark comedy with a scorsese sauce that most of the people haven't seen, but really should. DeNiro plays desperate comedian Rupert Pupkin, who's trying so hard to get started in the show business by any m...( read more)eans possible. The film's main idea is showing us what a desperate person can achieve if he's willing to succeed, and the price he's prepared to pay if the plan's executed. I won't risk spoiling it by saying anymore, but this DeNiro early comedy is better than all his recent comedies combined.
  • jonnycrumley
    September 11, 2009
    jonnycrumley
    The King of Comedy is an underrated Scorsese movie. Robert De Niro is great in the title role, although there are some similarities to his Travis Bickle character in Taxi Driver, Jerry Lewis more or less plays himself, and even though it was a little slow at times, the likeable c...( read more)haracters, and spontaneous storyline, made it very watchable.
  • SirPant
    September 7, 2009
    SirPant
    De Niro's best comedy performance of his career. I guess there isn't much competition really, he's not really known for his 'Laugh out loud' comedy performances, which is strange though because this is a fantastic dark comedy, where his timing is perfect. One of Scorsese's (and D...( read more)e Niro's) more overlooked pieces. Jerry Lewis is also, as always, brilliant.
  • StewartMc
    August 21, 2009
    StewartMc
    De Niro is hilarious in this very dark comedy.
  • GeorgeBailey88
    August 6, 2009
    GeorgeBailey88
    Deniro is awesome in this dark comedy. Jerry Lewis gives one of his only serious performances. Clever material.
  • ahhh1989
    August 2, 2009
    ahhh1989
    Very twisted, but hilarious. Certainly one of Scorsese less accessible films, but still really good.
  • Zibbs
    July 14, 2009
    Zibbs
    "'The King of Comedy' is not, you may already have guessed, a fun movie. It is also not a bad movie. It is frustrating to watch, unpleasant to remember, and, in its own way, quite effective. It represents an enormous departure for Scorsese..." - Roger Ebert

    Ya know that feeling...( read more) you get when you see something awful happening in slow motion, and there's nothing you can do to stop it?...

    "This is a movie about rejection, with a hero who never admits that he has been rejected and so there is neither comic nor tragic release -- just the postponement of pain." - Roger Ebert
  • DrZeek
    July 14, 2009
    DrZeek
    Secretary: Is Mr. Langford expecting you?
    Rupert Pupkin: Yes, I don't think he is.

    A film that manages to be much more disturbing than one might think. It features good performances and provides some satirical looks at the celebrity obsessed culture. Mainly though, this is a ve...( read more)ry awkward film that gives you an interesting look at a desperate man that takes things a bit too far.

    Rupert Pupkin: Why not me? Why not? A guy can get anything he wants as long as he pays the price. What's wrong with that? Stranger things have happened.

    Robert De Niro teams up again with director Martin Scorsese, staring this time as Rupert Pupkin, a wannabe stand-up comedian. Rupert's idol is talk show host Jerry Langford, played by Jerry Lewis. Rupert manages to have a conversation with Jerry, who tells him to give him a call some time, in an effort to get rid of Rupert. This doesn't work. Rupert begins to try with all his might to get a meeting with Rupert, get him to listen to his material, and become a good friend of his. Rupert tries to impress a woman through these efforts. He even brings another Jerry fan, played by Sandra Bernhard, into the mix. During all this, we are treated to a number of fantasy sequences in which Rupert has become successful and is in fact a good friend of Jerry's. There is no need to spoil what ends up happening, but things do take some radical turns.

    As mentioned, I found this movie to be very creepy and dark (especially whenever Bernhard was on screen). De Niro does a great job with this character, a lonely man, who may or may not have the talent he needs, but is clearly standing in the same weird-man line that Travis Bickle is in. Rupert is made more interesting by his basic manner. He is a polite individual, well spoken and dressed, looking for a way in.

    Jerry Lewis deserves a lot of credit here for being an amazing straight man in this movie. The way he puts up with a lot of the events that unfold in this movie is portrayed wonderfully through his facial expressions and reactions.

    This was a strange picture, but not one I regret watching. The Scorsese/De Niro team does manage to remain solid.

    Rupert Pupkin: I'm gonna work 50 times harder, and I'm gonna be 50 times more famous than you.
    Jerry Langford: Then you're gonna have idiots like you plaguing your life!
  • mobgrl
    June 30, 2009
    mobgrl
    really liked it,its a bit wierd but I still found it very funny.
  • zdravkoduck
    June 20, 2009
    zdravkoduck
    King for a day or a shmuck for life indeed. Rupert Rupkin is a clinically insane person, yes, but his persistance is really admirable I mean let's face it is he who get's the last laugh. I love how the dream sequences just happens. Their are no intros no harps playing. It let's u...( read more)s know the depth of Ruperts obsession with fame how his border between real & fantasy is just an invisible line.
  • rubystevens
    June 19, 2009
    rubystevens
    this may be de niro's greatest performance; funny, creepy and criminally underrated. it's also the only jerry lewis film i can stand. it's like a black comedy version of taxi driver. it may not be bloody but it's nearly as tough to watch
  • ralch
    June 19, 2009
    ralch
    WIDESCREEN. Un ejemplo de cómo hacer una sátira que, a la vez que mordaz, no deshumaniza a sus personajes. Todas las actuaciones son de altura, incluso Bernhard, elemento sin el cual la película no funcionaría. / A model for how to make a satire that, while mordant, does not dehu...( read more)manize its characters. All the performances are top level, even Bernhard, an element without which the film would not work.
  • binky013
    June 19, 2009
    binky013
    As a huge fan of De Niro, this is one I always wanted to see but hadn't until now. No surprise to me here: What a beautiful movie. I'm not a big Scorsese fan, as you may know by reading my past comments about his work. Have to say, however, this is a masterful directing effor...( read more)t that draws outstanding performances out of all the actors involved.

    And speaking of folks for whom I'm not planning to join a fan club, Sandra Bernhard . . . she's a problem. But she's wonderful here.; I kid you not.

    But I've saved the best for last. I think I actually might have sensed this before, but because Jerry Lewis often plays to type, it's very difficult to determine whether he has innate ability. I've now decided the question -- at least for me myself. Jerry Lewis is a very good actor. This may be the best work he's ever done. Astonishing. Maybe this is the one that convinced the French to name him the greatest American actor of all time. See this just for the great ensemble effort. I really do have to give Martin Scorsese kudos for this work. I never thought I'd say that about him.

    Thinking about it as I'm typing this, I'm struck by the fact that one of the great emotional beauties of this film is that it reads pretty much like classic tragedy from the beginning. Rupert Pupkin is destined to fail. You know it by every single one of the signposts along the way. Flaw after flaw after pathetic flaw. But he doesn't fail. Amazingly, he succeeds; he is a winner. It's tragedy turned on its head. Actually, in the end, this truly is classic comedy.
  • McBay
    June 19, 2009
    McBay
    pretty much of a great representation of obsession
  • FoetusOfTheYear
    June 10, 2009
    FoetusOfTheYear
    Very entertaining flick with some terrific scenes.....Deniro is fucking great !
  • salianom
    May 16, 2009
    salianom
    this is a proof that comedy actually is a tragedy...
  • RThornhill
    April 28, 2009
    RThornhill
    Dark, dry comedy from Scorsese. Not for everyone's tastes but I found this to be quite enjoyable. Recommended.
  • RiderOfTheStorms
    April 20, 2009
    RiderOfTheStorms
    The Acting makes this movie
  • addienairzan
    April 19, 2009
    addienairzan
    great acting by de niro. the story was just like any other tv-comedy, but de niro's act saved the day..
  • shannylee38
    April 4, 2009
    shannylee38
    The King of Comedy is without a doubt an incredible film. It is not so much the story that is good but the way it is presented. The mixture of reality and fantasy gives an edge to the film.

    The acting is fantastic as well. The DeNiro and Lewis duo is greater than i ever expected...( read more). DeNiro is the insane one whereas Lewis is the sane one.

    Scorsese's film show how the search for fame can take different turn especially if one really believes in it.
  • Rewster
    March 18, 2009
    Rewster
    'The King of Comedy' is a social commentary on the public over-worshipping the celebrity. Presented as a dark-comedy, there are moments where you laugh but also moments where you feel humility and insecurity. Rupert Pupkin, played by an extraordinary Robert De Niro, is a deranged...( read more) sociopath who is obsessed with celebrity talk-show-host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis in one of his best dramatic performances). While it may appear that Rupert wants to be like Langford, he actually wants to outdo him, become more famous, whereas Langford just wants his privacy to be respected, like any normal person. Rupert is a strange fellow, who obviously suffers from some form of lonliness and paranoia. He is an interesting case, but what is perhaps most disturbing is he is a caricature on society, there is a little bit of Pupkin in everyone.
  • rafaelagb
    March 11, 2009
    rafaelagb
    The obsession and one of DeNiro's best.
  • DrStrangeblog
    March 3, 2009
    DrStrangeblog
    As I stated in my review of 'After Hours,' if Scorsese made more of this kind of movie then I would appreciate his catalog a lot more. Ranks right up with 'Taxi Driver' as his best with DeNiro brilliantly playing an equally unbalanced character, probably even moreso than Travis ...( read more)Bickle.
  • brendanprost
    February 26, 2009
    brendanprost
    The intelligence and realism of this social satire doesn't really hit home until the final few minutes, but it's when the film proves itself as more than just an effective comedy. Some of De Niro's best work can be seen here, and his character is completely empathetic and well-dr...( read more)awn out. Definitely not the most well-crafted of Scorsese's movies, particularly on the editing side of things, but it doesn't really detract from the effect of the picture.
  • nowaknowak
    February 16, 2009
    nowaknowak
    Ciekawy, ale (chyba) nic wiecej...
  • cmmalonye
    February 15, 2009
    cmmalonye
    Definately the most underrated of Scoresese's films and DeNiro's performances. The film has sequences that are both funny and pathetic at the same time. The message is profound and thought provoking. Super movie.
  • michaelcorleone
    February 12, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    An intelligent, unnerving social commentary disguised as a comedy. Scorsese's energetic direction, a great screenplay and a hilarious performance by De Niro drive this film. Very entertaining and well-made.
  • dil1788
    February 9, 2009
    dil1788
    Very funny movie with a great comedic performance by Robert De Niro.
  • scattergood07
    February 5, 2009
    scattergood07
    Its above average, but it gives inspiration to those who are chasing after their dreams
  • smootysveen
    January 27, 2009
    smootysveen
    Maybe my favorite Scorcese movie. It's really a shame that Sandra Bernhard never got another good part.
  • zachdiehard
    January 8, 2009
    zachdiehard
    A Vastly under-appreciated film with two spectacular performances by DeNiro and Lewis. Probably to awkward and disturbing to become a mainstream classic.
  • malacaynomuerto
    January 1, 2009
    malacaynomuerto
    Es mejor ser rey por una noche que bufón toda una vida!
    esa frase resume esta buena película
  • DoctorXQuinzel
    December 27, 2008
    DoctorXQuinzel
    I really didn't think much of it , it was just okay.
  • KevinTheMovieManiac
    November 30, 2008
    KevinTheMovieManiac
    A very dark comedy, I loved it!
  • pifedwards
    October 9, 2008
    pifedwards
    Underrated, misunderstood and Jerry Lewis is brilliant.
  • flusbiss
    September 19, 2008
    flusbiss
    The acting is great, specially by De Niro but Jerry Lee Lewis is also good. It's about a 34-year old man(De Niro) who dreams about becoming a big stand up comedian just like his idol.
    It shows the backsides of being famous and it does it very well.
  • goodfella2459
    September 16, 2008
    goodfella2459
    This is an underrated & very fascinating dark comedy from Martin Scorsese. It can be seen as a companion piece to Taxi Driver also. I also think it is one of his best films. De Niro was excellent in this as well.

Summary

The King of Comedy Summary