The King of Comedy (1983)

About The King of Comedy

'The King of Comedy', a 1983 American satirical black comedy-drama film, was directed by the master of cinema, Martin Scorsese. The film revolves around the life of a delusional and aspiring stand-up comedian, Rupert Pupkin, who goes to extreme lengths to land a spot on a late-night talk show. His obsessive stalking and kidnappings are a biting commentary on celebrity culture and the American dream.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Arnon Milchan and the screenplay was crafted by Paul D. Zimmerman. Robert De Niro, an iconic actor of our times, took an active role in developing the story. This film exemplifies Scorsese's signature style of showcasing flawed, obsessive characters, with critical societal commentary.

Actors

• Robert De Niro wonderfully portrays the passionate but deluded protagonist, Rupert Pupkin. His obsessive portrayal of a man desperate for success is hauntingly relatable.
• Jerry Lewis plays the comedian late-night talk-show host, Jerry Langford. He is the object of De Niro's character's obsession and delivers a brilliant performance.
• Sandra Bernhard gives a memorable performance as Masha, another obsessive fan of Jerry’s who helps Rupert in his crazed scheme.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film, now considered a classic, initially bombed at the box office.
• In 2016, The King of Comedy was voted the 100th greatest American film of all time by BBC's international critics' poll.
• Publicity for the film included a tagline that read, "It's no laughing matter."

Awards

The film won the prestigious BAFTA award for 'Best Original Screenplay'.

Quotes

• "Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime."- Rupert Pupkin
• "I'm just an ordinary person like you, you and everybody else. I work for everything I've got." - Jerry Langford

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack was composed by Robbie Robertson who worked on a lot of Scorsese's filmography. The haunting score heightens the tense atmosphere of the film.