Review of The King of Comedy (1982) by Nate W — 25 Aug 2011

This cynical black comedy about obsessive fanaticism may be the most "un-Scorsese" movie Scorsese ever did, but it's also one of his best. Robert Di Niro gives one of the best performances of his career as a wannabe comedian who we pity and fear in equal measure for his radical obsession.

Excellent supporting turns come from Jerry Lewis (an inspired casting choice as an arrogant talk show host) and Sandra Bernhard who is darkly hilarious as a lunatic fan with a hunger for some "old fashioned, all-American fun".

Beneath the laughs, however, is a biting commentary on our society's unhealthy obsession with celebrity.