[22] Michael Cimino was attached to direct but his involvement with the script fell through when he left the project to direct Heaven's Gate. Despite the title, it is anything but a comedy, save for some amusing moments that could pass for dark comedy.The story involves a 34 year old nerd (Robert DeNiro) who wants badly to be a standup comedian, but his only method of trying to attain this goal is by essentially stalking a popular talk show host played by Jerry Lewis. The King of Comedy, which bombed upon release, is now inevitably described as "ahead of its time" for good reason. A tale of greed, deception, money, power, and murder occur between two best friends: a mafia enforcer and a casino executive compete against each other over a gambling empire, and over a fast-living and fast-loving socialite. (1982). An ordinary word processor has the worst night of his life after he agrees to visit a girl in Soho who he met that evening at a coffee shop. Eventually he must team up with his psychotic Langford-obsessed friend Masha to kidnap the talk show host in hopes of finally getting to perform his stand-up routine. Paramount Building - 1501 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. This video file cannot be played. The King of Comedy is a 1982 American satirical black comedy drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro (in his fifth collaboration with Scorsese), Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. Production began in New York on June 1, 1981 in order to avoid clashing with a forthcoming writers' strike,[6] and opened the Cannes Film Festival in 1983. Maybe. He says that he's "willing to pay the price," but he doesn't think that "the price" is practice, he doesn't think that "the price" is actually doing comedy. The network's bosses, lawyers and the FBI agree to his demands, with the understanding that Langford will be released once the show airs. This kind of hybridization of pop and scored music would later be used in Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. Scorsese has called De Niro's role as Rupert Pupkin his favorite of all their collaborations. Written by Paul D. Zimmerman, the film focuses on themes such as celebrity worship and American media culture. After meeting Jerry Langford, a successful comedian and talk-show host, Rupert believes his "big break" has finally come. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Having shown the broadcast to Rita at her bar, he proudly submits to his arrest as the FBI agents profess distaste for his jokes. The King of Comedy escalates into a scheme that the Joker would be proud of. The King of Comedy, any day", "The Joker Origin Story On Deck: Todd Phillips, Scott Silver, Martin Scorsese Aboard WB/DC Film", "Jonathan Rosenbaum's 1000 Essential Films", Jon Dambacher, "The Imitation of A Dream", 2010. Rupert doesn’t want to do the work that goes into building a comedy career, playing clubs and competing with other comedians, he thinks he’s above all that, a natural talent, and … Check out our gallery of the 2021 Oscar nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life. This latest version was produced from the film's original camera negatives and features a restored soundtrack. [33], In 2015, it was announced a stage musical for Broadway was to be made with Stephen Trask writing the music and lyrics, and a book by Chris D'Arienzo. Overall, the film is a combination of disturbing, entertaining, and unforgettable. Both grounded and elevated by one of Robert De Niro's finest performances, the film slivers and slides through different forms of deconstruction and satire until the final irony hits like a … [13], Bob Fosse briefly considered directing the film and suggested Andy Kaufman as Rupert Pupkin, Sandra Bernhard as Masha and Sammy Davis, Jr. as Jerry Langford. Beck considered The King of Comedy even more dangerous than Taxi Driver due to its lack of blood and gore, as well as the fact that viewers could easily identify with De Niro. Overview System Requirements Related. King of Comedy (Chinese: 喜劇之王) is a 1999 Hong Kong comedy film directed by Lee Lik-chi and Stephen Chow. She went on to write that "De Niro in disguise denies his characters a soul. In his act, he describes his troubled upbringing while simultaneously laughing at his circumstances. Rupert Pupkin has been compared to Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver: both characters have serious issues with reality testing that is drawing the line between outer objective and inner subjective reality. The King of Comedy is a tragedy dressed up as a black comedy, and one all too aware that laughter can often be the best mask for pain. What's a Nice Girl like You Doing in a Place like This? Both deliciously funny and scary as hell; Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy is a work of ingenious, prophetic wisdom and focus. Zimmerman. He thinks he just needs to put in any type of effort, he thinks he just needs to suffer for some reason, whether or not the effort or the suffering are in any way related to the pursuit of a career in comedy. [7][8] The film received mostly positive reviews from critics but was a flop at the box office, grossing only $2.5 million against its $19 million budget. Film scholar David Bordwell, writing in Film Viewer's Guide, mentioned the (un)reality of the ending as a topic for debate, as there is no definitive answer as to whether the ending is reality or fantasy. The New King of Comedy, a remake set in mainland China, was released in 2019. Which is a shame, because it's Scorsese's second-greatest film, after Taxi Driver". "[20], "The King of Comedy (1983) - Box Office Mojo", "Jerry Lewis Is The King At Cannes Film Festival", "Latest Movie Features Best & Worst Lists", "That time the Clash appeared in Martin Scorsese's 'The King of Comedy, "How Scorsese's 'King of Comedy' Influenced a Generation of Film, Television, and Stand-Up", "A Restored 'King of Comedy' Will Close Tribeca Film Festival", "Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy Heading to Blu-ray", "The King of Comedy 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition", "Stephen Trask Developing 'King of Comedy' as Broadway Musical", "The King of Comedy movie review - Film - Time Out London", "Empire's The King of Comedy Movie Review", "Sandra Bernhard Says 'It's Too Late' To Remake 'The King of Comedy, "Steve Carell : 52 ans. Use the HTML below. Producer Arnon Milchan knew he could do the project away from Hollywood interference by filming entirely on location in New York and deliver it on time with the involvement of a smaller film company. Yet I found King Of Comedy extremely funny. He had purchased the rights of a script by film critic Paul D. Nathan: The title of The King Of Comedy seems bitterly ironic, and in many ways, the film is a caustic dramatic character study more than a conventional comedy. A mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action by attempting to liberate a presidential campaign worker and an underage prostitute. Description. HoloLens PC Mobile device Xbox 360 Trailer. Everything about Pupkin — his eccentric appearance (that haircut, moustache and suiting seem only tenuously attached to De Niro's familiar persona); his desperation and unearned sense of entitlement; and, of course, his corny sense of humor — is even worse than cringeworthy: it's … The King of Comedy is the “last really great film about culture,” says comedian Sandra Bernhard, who plays an equally deranged accomplice of Rupert’s who helps him kidnap Jerry Langford at gunpoint: "Look at this world we’re living in. That was a memorable moment, but the film itself also made a very large impression on me. [to Jerry]Jesus, they certainly don't give you very good protection, do they? Amazon.com: The King of Comedy [Blu-ray]: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott, Sandra Bernhard, Peter Potulski, Vinnie Gonzales, Shelley Hack, George Kapp, Matt Russo, Diane Rachell, Mick Jones, Ray Dittrich, Joyce Brothers, Liza Minnelli, Leslie Levinson, Sel Vitella, Ellen Foley, Frederick de Cordova, Mardik Martin, Charles Low, Edgar J. Scherick, Jeff David, Ed Herlihy, Lou Brown, Loretta … "[43], Pauline Kael of The New Yorker was one of the critics who disliked the film, describing the character of Rupert Pupkin as "Jake LaMotta without fists". [28] The intensive filming schedule meant Scorsese could spend the remainder of his time recuperating.[27]. [11] However, he was keen to do a pet project of his, The Last Temptation of Christ, and wanted De Niro to play Jesus Christ. The film is a tough watch as its tense and uncomfortable throughout, yet entertaining and intruiging enough so it never crosses the line into unbearable, which I imagine must have been exactly what filmmaker Scorcese was going for. He had not recovered when shooting began. [25] The entire Rat Pack was also considered—specifically Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin—before a decision was made to select Martin's old partner, Jerry Lewis. '[16], De Niro also spent months watching stand-up comedians at work to get the rhythm and timing of their performances right. It is also not a bad movie. It is frustrating to watch, unpleasant to remember, and, in its own way, quite effective. [34], Although the film was well received by critics, it bombed at the box office. King, Van Morrison and Ray Charles. [38] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three out of four stars, writing, "The King of Comedy is one of the most arid, painful, wounded movies I've ever seen. He stated that The King of Comedy "cuts too close to the bone for either large-scale mass audience approval or unanimous mainstream critical acclaim". The isolated person. As the audience still laughs (thinking it's still a part of his act), Rupert responds by saying: "Tomorrow, you'll know I wasn't kidding and you'll all think I'm crazy. Timothy West. Rupert continues brushing off Jerry's dismissals and Rita's urging until Jerry finally retorts that he had only told Rupert he could call him so Jerry would get rid of him. Rupert has no interest in doing the work, despite the way he frames his desire for fame. The whole movie is about the inability of the characters to get any kind of a positive response to their bids for recognition." Reply Notify me Helpful [m264156] Master Release. However, when he confronts his idol, talk show host Jerry Langford, with a plea to perform on the Jerry's show, he is only given the run-around. There are jokes and feel-good moments and family values, but nothing that makes it more special than your run-of-the-mill New Year movie. Lewis said he was invited to collaborate on certain aspects of the script dealing with celebrity life. Rupert Pupkin is obsessed with becoming a comedy great. [42], David Ehrenstein, author of The Scorsese Picture, noted the mixed response of the film in his 1983 review. Rupert. In 1980, Peter O'Toole's Macbeth had audiences rolling in the aisles. Rupert Pupkin is a delusional and aspiring stand-up comedian trying to launch his career. At the time he wrote his script, Paul D. Zimmerman was inspired by a David Susskind show on autograph hunters and an Esquire article on a fanatical Johnny Carson follower. In Theaters: Feb 18, 1983 Wide. The performances are amazing, of course DeNiro can never fail at playing someone offbeat and deranged. The first time I saw it in 1983, my dad took me to see it with my older cousin, who laughed hysterically throughout the film, then said afterwards how much he hated it. Streaming: Dec 9, 2015. Rupert later takes the stage for a television special with a live audience, where an announcer enthusiastically introduces him as the King of Comedy while Rupert himself prepares to address his audience. — Jesse Miller. Rupert teams up with another stalker he knows, Masha (Sandra Bernhard, delivering a proto-Harley Quinn performance). Bitterly vowing to work "50 times harder", Rupert finally leaves. After he had persuaded him to stay in Manhattan, [De Niro] asked him, 'Why are you stalking me? The film excels at the comedy of discomfort, drawing huge laughs from pain and awkwardness, and luxuriating in the bleakest form of dark comedy. Who the hell is watching you? It's hard to believe Scorsese made it; instead of the big-city life, the violence and sexuality of his movies like "Taxi Driver" and "Mean Streets," what we have here is an agonizing portrait of lonely, angry people with their emotions all tightly bottled up. De Niro prepared for Rupert Pupkin's role by developing a "role reversal" technique, consisting of chasing down his own autograph-hunters, stalking them and asking them many questions. Scorsese said that Powell always treated fantasy as no different than reality, and so made fantasy sequences as realistic as possible. View production, box office, & company info. Score: 9/10. He replied, 'To have dinner with you, have a drink, chat. Voted for by 5 critics and 2 directors. Ultimately, Fosse passed on the film in favor of directing Star 80 instead. However, she dismissed the idea, saying it was "too late" to do it. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Rupert Pupkin is obsessed with becoming a comedy great. De Niro was not interested and preferred their next collaboration to be a comedy. [45] Actor Steve Carell and director Bennett Miller, both black comedy fans, cited The King of Comedy as a personal favorite[46] and inspiration to shape the sociopath character of John E. du Pont in Foxcatcher. Langford convinces her to untie him under the disguise of seduction, to which he seizes the gun, only to find it is a toy gun loaded with faulty pellets. He doesn’t do club dates, but he’s got cassette tapes of … It is funny, terrifying and furiously smart in equal measure - to my eyes, a masterpiece that is sorely underrated in Scorsese's discography. drama , comedy. [31] While the restored film was scheduled to be released onto Blu-ray on October 29, 2013,[32] the 30th Anniversary home media release was ultimately delayed for a release date of March 25, 2014. Martin Scorsese wasn’t the first director attached. Available on. Was this review helpful to you? Scorsese has noted that Edwin S. 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