Review of The Comedian (2016) by Danny L — 07 Feb 2017

This film constitutes the final nail in the coffin of De Niro's career, once considered to be America's greatest dramatic male thespian, and now nothing more than a pathetic crude slob, inserting himself into the kinds of 5th rate cornball comedies that even a younger Jerry Lewis would have spurned lest he be made to seem excessively foolish.

One has to wonder whether or not De Niro is experiencing some form of pre-senile dementia, but medics should examine him extensively to determine if he suffered permanent brain damage in his lead role as a boxer in "Raging Bull." The man is sick in the head, period, and he needs help in the worst way.

For the protection of his seriously ruined reputation, De Niro should announce retirement ASAP from any further acting assignments. Every appalling new film appearance makes a mockery of what he once happened to be and, whereas there was a time when young actors would take tremendous pride in appearing in a De Niro film, now it is genuinely a stain of disgrace to perform next to this tragic and badly damaged figure.

The film itself is absolute unmitigated trash, without a single virtuous element to be found. Unfortunately, given his tarnished reputation, De Niro is now in a position where he no longer can command decent material be sent his way. No doubt Hollywood honchos are now fully aware of his shocking fall from grace and I imagine it won't be long before De Niro struggles merely to obtain supporting roles in porno flicks.