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With: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard
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Written by: Paul D. Zimmerman
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Directed by: Martin Scorsese
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MPAA Rating: PG
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Running Time: 109
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Date: 02/17/1983
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The King of Comedy (1983)
Black Humor
By Jeffrey M. Anderson This bizarre work is one of Martin Scorsese's greatest and most underrated films. Robert DeNiro plays Rupert Pupkin, a wannabe comedian obsessed with talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). He tries to go through proper channels to get on the show but when he fails, he and another fanatic (Sandra Bernhard) kidnap Langford in order to arrange a "guest" appearance on his show.
Interestingly, the perpetually juvenile Lewis plays the most grown-up character in the film, revealing a disturbing attempt to tackle issues of immaturity in an industry that thrives on them. Along with The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun, this film boasts Scorsese himself at his most adult level.
Though it's awfully tough to get through the first time, a second and third viewing can be highly rewarding. Fox's DVD comes with a making-of featurette, deleted footage, a trailer and stills.
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