Review of The King of Comedy (1982) by Steve W — 16 Feb 2011

Starts off rather slow but it is an excellent dark comedy. A different kind of film for Scorsese, an often hilarious little look at celebrity status and the crazed fans that go with it.

Robert DeNiro wanted to show he could play more than just tough guys, and was able to pull it off as the mentally ill(?) but talented Rupert Pupkin. He has this aloof sense of reality and lives in his own little world, full of cardboard cut-outs and fantasies.

I've never seen Jerry Lewis in any other movie, but he was very good as well. He was the ultra serious and famous Jerry Langford, who just simply wants to be left alone. He's smug and arrogant, and pushes Pupkin too far.

The movie itself is a nice satire of celebrities and show business, but its also a unique and quirky film with kidnapping and plenty of good moments. Both characters are sympathetic but do have their flaws, and it makes for a very good movie with the ambiguous ending.