Review of The King of Comedy (1982) by Wade B — 28 Apr 2008

I believe Scorsese admitted that he wasn't at the top of his game when he made this film. Yet if that's the case, it's still a brilliantly squirm-inducing comedy that merits repeat viewings, thanks largely to DeNiro's brilliant performance as the psychotically fixated Rupert Pupkin.

Some of the best moments for me are the fantasy sequences, where Pupkin's narcisstic scenarios of show business fame are so forced, awkward, and pathetic that any laughter they might inspire gives way to uneasiness.

And as his quest unfolds, it just gets better and better...leading to the final punchline in the closing scene.