The King of Comedy

Pumpkin? Pipkin? Putkin? Papkin? Rupert Pupkin. A man who wants to be famous. A comical character that induces chills. Scorsese’s first excursion into the comedy genre ends before it gets to the comedy. It can only look at life in the shadow of American show business with an unsettling satirical distance and actually takes comedy as seriously as Pupkin does. On the other hand, Pupkin’s main handicap consists in a lack of distance and the inability to view his own behaviour from the outside. He is two absorbed in his role and perceives all of reality as a television show of which he is naturally the focal point. After Pupkin begins to drag others into his bubble, the situation is escalated almost to the point of becoming a crime drama, but still with an extraordinary feel for good old slapstick (whose style will be appreciated especially by fans of Jerry Lewis). The unpredictability of Pupkin’s behaviour thus switches from serving the purposes of comedy to serving the purposes of the thriller genre, thus giving rise to suspense instead of humour. The two genres blend together during Pupkin’s royal evening – his comedy performance is actually a recasting of very traumatic childhood experiences into a more appealing form (Jake La Motta’s stand-up routines in Raging Bull serve a similar therapeutic purpose). Did Scorsese intend to tell us that that the whole television industry is based on the same thing, i.e. hiding the serious behind the farcical? Or was he drawn primarily to the story of a man who so badly wants to get on the list that it ultimately doesn’t matter to him he is forever listed as a nutcase? A man who defines himself through stars and thus loses his own identity? I would seek the answers more deeply beneath the surface than in films that don’t turn fun into a science. 85% (27.08.2012)

A slightly different Scorsese picture with an as ever unforgettable (and again absolutely different) De Niro in the role of an unsuccessful, middle-aged stand-up comedian. Scorsese skillfully combines the fruits of Pumpkin psychosis with reality, so you quite understand why Robert is so firmly convinced that he is a great friend of the TV celebrity. I’d better not give away much about the story, but this isn’t just a regular glance behind the scenes of TV showbusiness, as it might seem to be at the beginning. If you find a way to the heart of the picture during the rather confusing beginning, you won’t be disappointed with the end result. And the wonderful “happy ending" will stay in the forefront of your mind for some time after. (11.01.2007)

An amazing Robert De Niro and equally amazing Scorsese's direction, which through various tricks playfully achieved that I was not sure what was reality and what was fantasy starting from the scene of Pupkin and Langford's dinner. Moreover, the film balances beautifully between drama and black comedy, so it can turn out practically any way it wants. I’m happy that I finally saw The King of Comedy. I don’t understand why our distributors still ignore it. (14.08.2022)

I rarely get the urge for any of that older comedy because I'm simply a modern person. One day it happened, and I put on The King of Comedy. Although the real jokes that made me laugh out loud didn't come until halfway through the movie, I was entertained the entire time. Finally, I have to give extra credit to Robert De Niro's great stand up act, which is surprisingly genuinely funny, and give this laid-back, sometimes tragic comedy a four. (12.05.2023)

I can't help it, but this movie absolutely got me. Robert De Niro shows here that he doesn't have to play only aggressively crazy characters, but a true king of comedy. The role is perfect, especially in the fact that he never loses his charm. There is never a truly aggressive outburst, but he always keeps his smile. Great contrast between him and Jerry Lewis. A film that works wonderfully with an excellent punchline. Why not be a bit unrealistic when it is presented in this strangely comedic manner. Rupert Pupkin is a lunatic who gets under your skin. (30.10.2013)