Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many filmmakers in Hollywood have created a legacy as powerful as Martin Scorsese. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1970’s, Scorsese has created memorable movies. Whether it’s cruel gangsters, raging boxers or troubled taxi drivers, Scorsese has created countless memorable characters. Arguably, Scorsese’s finest strength as a filmmaker is his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare filmmakers that has excelled at making movies in every genre. Through ability to create characters which prove compelling, Scorsese has built a legacy which is lasting. Despite his age of retirement, Scorsese has never lost his lifelong passion for producing memorable entertainment. Throughout a bold career, Scorsese has made many movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Scorsese and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The King of Comedy” is truly my favourite. Released in 1982, Scorsese’s film offered a bold portrait of standup comedians. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Robert De Niro, who plays a standup comic facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The King of Comedy” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which are outdated, it has aged well. A mesmerizing masterpiece about standup comics, there are many strong reasons why “The King of Comedy” is a film that’s worth watching.
“The King of Comedy” tells story of a stand-up comic that faces tragedy. Robert De Niro portrays Rupert Pupkin, an aspiring standup comic with dreams of success. Rupert has a strong obsession with the famous late night television host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). Jerry is a renowned talk-show host valuing his privacy. However, Rupert’s life changes when he starts stalking a favourite talkshow host causing disaster. Facing obstacles that prove to be tragic, Rupert wonders whether it’s possible for him to achieve his dreams of becoming a famous standup comic. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Rupert questions whether it’s possible to overcome disaster.
Martin Scorsese has often had been drawn to themes of obsession. A fantastic director, Scorsese has often made engaging movies about obsession causing disaster. His film “Goodfellas” captured obsessed obsessive mobsters facing dilemmas. With “The King of Comedy”, however, Scorsese created his first ever standup comic drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of standup comedians facing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Scorsese traced standup comedians that face adversity. Inspired by Sidney Lumet’s “Network”, Scorsese deftly uses point of view shots to capture tension which standup comedians are experiencing. For instance, POV shots enhance the host meeting scene. During this haunting scene, Rupert gets his first chance to meet Jerry in a heartfelt meeting. Using captivating POV shots, Scorsese creates a portrait of comics that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky. As “Raging Bull” suggested, POV shots elevate boxing movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using captivating visuals, Scorsese captures tensions that standup comics are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The King of Comedy” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Scorsese successfully uses costumes to capture tensions that talk show hosts are facing. Throughout the movie, Jerry’s bold costumes showcase his transformation into a notorious talkshow host. For instance, the costumes enhance the kidnapping incident scene. During this memorable scene, Jerry faces tension when he is kidnapped in an intense incident. Using stunning costumes, Scorsese constructs a portrait of talkshow hosts that’s engaging. Moreover, the music is magnificent. Robbie Robertson’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that standup comics bear. Through stunning production, Scorsese captures the lives of comics facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The King of Comedy” is a movie about standup comedians that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions which standup comedians are facing. For instance, monologues elevate the standup show scene. During this memorable scene, Jerry delivers an emotional monologue that expresses his worldviews. Using compelling monologues, Scorsese creates a portrait of comedians which audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques. As “Gangs of New York” claimed, dramatic monologues enhance period pieces about legendary gangsters. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Scorsese captures comedians facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his finest performances as Rupert Pupkin. De Niro earned appreciation playing taxi drivers in crime movies. With “The King of Comedy”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary standup comedian facing adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most complex role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a standup comic facing tension. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most adored actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Jerry Lewis is fantastic, demonstrating the larger than life personality of a comedian that experiences adversity. Shelly Hack is spectacular, and captures the ferocious nature of a feminist journalist solving a case that’s challenging to crack. Lastly, Ed Herlihy merits praise. As a journalist, he brings wisdom to the film.
Finally, “The King of Comedy” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing standup comics that experience adversity. Unlike most movies about standup comics, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental health and grief that will resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message about mental health that would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “The King of Comedy” is one of those rare films about standup comedies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Martin Scorsese would definitely enjoy “The King of Comedy” and so would audiences seeking tense entertainment. A riveting comedy about a comic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about a standup comic facing obstacles which are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder about a legendary filmmaker that has made iconic movies thought his strong career which have never lost their abilities to consistently almost always captivate the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 