Review of The King of Comedy (1982) by Adrian B — 15 Jan 2012

Considering within the previous ten years, Scorsese released powerhouse films such as "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," and especially, "Raging Bull," one would not get substantial effect from this movie, also starring Robert de Niro.

I was shocked! Rupert PUPkin (De Niro), not Pumpkin, is a man who wants to break into show business as a stand-up comedian and through the likes of a TV television personality Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis).

The viewer is tricked a variation of times through intercutting scenes, with the thoughts that "yes, Pupkin is now a star"; "no, he is not yet a star"; and "perhaps, he will be a star.

" This eventually leads to Pupkin so desperate that he and deranged female sidekick (Sandra Berhnard) kidnap and hold Langford at gunpoint. The film is evil, vicious, annoying, hysterical, hilarious, and excruciating in ways that predecessor films of Scorsese were, but very different in comparison.

De Niro demonstrates versatility within his career in an excellent performance, and Lewis also give a really one to accompany his. It is a sad character study, but it is a really funny film. Interesting how the swearing in this film is minimal in comparison to Scorsese's other major hits, both before and after.

The scenes where De Niro is yelling at his un-seen mother may have inspired the scenes between Howard Wolowitz and his mother on the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory." Here is, yet, another great film by the master director, starring one of the best actors of all time.