Sunday, 30 January 2011

The King Of Comedy







The King Of Comedy (1983)
a film by Martin Scorsese

This is not a comedy nor a thriller, is something strange that lies in between and yet maintains a whimsical tone in a dark story of obsession and entertainment business.

Rupert Pupkin, brilliantly bring to life by Robert DeNiro, is an aspiring stand-up comic with obsessive ambition. After meeting with Jerry Langford, a famous comedian and talk show host, Rupert believes his "big break" has finally come and his obsession unleashes. He will do everything to get his place in the spotlight.

I really liked the ambiguous tone of this film, a portrait of obsession in the world of comic is both paradoxical and interesting. Last time I saw Robert DeNiro was in Taxi Driver and now in The King Of Comedy he surprises me bringing a completely different but equally disturbing portrait of obsession, delirium and social isolation.

This is not a funny movie but still steals some laughs while it delivers a social satire in the shape of a character obsessed with fame. I laughed but mostly felt desolated by the loneliness of this character in his delusion and unlimited ambition. Rupert Pupkin has a charm absent in the Taxi Driver, its alienation is different and less tragic but it is equally shocking.

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