The King of Comedy

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Mani Z @RT09195060 4 days ago Was so ahead of its time See more Rowan C @RowanC3 Aug 9, 2026 The King of Comedy was a unique concept for a movie, and I thought it was done pretty well. Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) was an aspiring comedian who was obsessed with the famous comedian Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). He was trying to prove himself to Jerry, but Jerry only offered to have him call his secretary to get rid of him. Rupert made up a lot of fake scenarios in his head, which were pretty funny, and pretended like he knew Jerry as a friend to other people. Robert De Niro's acting in this movie was spot on, and I thought he did a great job with everything. The whole movie took a turn when we transitioned into Rupert having to kidnap Jerry for a chance at fame. Rupert actually had a really good performance at the end of the movie, and he just wanted to show everyone what he was capable of. He only spent 2 years in prison, and he came out even more famous than he was before. It now makes sense why Robert De Niro was in The Joker. Overall, I liked the concept and the story. See more Smith D @RT30928287 Jul 13, 2026 There really is no weak moment in this film. Jerry Lewis seamlessly plays a combination of himself, Johnny Carson, and Virgil Sollozo from the Godfather rolled into one. Sandra Bernhardt is the perfect blend of repulsively frightening and hilarious. Rupert Pupkin’s monologue is a complex, nuanced sequence of acting by Deniro. The story unfolds meta within meta to the point where the final sequence of Pumpkin’s own show feels almost like he has finally succumbed to the demented dream state of his own delusions of grandeur. These ideas of the madness of fan worship are of course commonly accepted and understood nowadays, but at the time of the films release Carson was still king, and it played too close to home. Only recently has it been rightfully regarded as a masterpiece 30 years ahead of its time. Taxi Driver is prettier to look at, but King Of Comedy is my favorite Scorsese because it just works better. See more Steve T @RT48806711 Jun 26, 2026 The film saw the trappings of fame three decades before the internet and reality TV sucked people in. DeNiro delivers an incredibly unique performance for his style at the time, and Lewis is barely recognizable from his comedy days. Together they make the film so compelling, so real, it's almost tough to watch. I was a kid when it came out in 1983, but I saw then what Scorsese was going for - a human flaw that can take over any of us: the lust for something more. In the end, this is actually just about a guy who wants to impress a girl... he just does it in a really messed up way. See more Vincent S @RT47579145 Jun 23, 2026 This is a dark comedy masterpiece and it’s even stronger and more relevant today. Robert DeNiro gives one of his most different and best performances making us squirm very effectively. Jerry Lewis is brilliant and Sandra Bernhard is an electric high wire of fun, she rocks! The subject matter is disturbing but seeing it just recently I laughed a lot, more than I remembered when I saw it as a kid. See more Alain E @AlainE Jun 21, 2026 The beginning and middle are especially strong. DeNiro impersonates the character of the sleazy loser with great success. In a way Rupert Pupkin is more embarrassing than other criminal types he has played elsewhere. Around the middle the intensity drops but still the movie remains worth seeing. Some very good photography in the basement where Rupert operates his imaginary show. On Prime. See more Read all reviews

The King of Comedy

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