The Comedian

Name: The Comedian
Genre: Comedy
Released: February 3, 2017
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 40
Cast: Billy Crystal, Charles Grodin, Cloris Leachman, Danny DeVito, Edie Falco

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critics

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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5.1	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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The Comedian

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: February 3, 2017

Starring: Billy Crystal, Charles Grodin, Cloris Leachman, Danny DeVito, Edie Falco, Harvey Keitel, Leslie Mann, Patti LuPone, Robert De Niro

Summary: An aging comic icon, Jackie (Robert De Niro), has seen better days. Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Already a strain on his younger brother (Danny DeVito) and his wife (Patti LuPone), Jackie is forced to serve out a sentenceAn aging comic icon, Jackie (Robert De Niro), has seen better days. Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Already a strain on his younger brother (Danny DeVito) and his wife (Patti LuPone), Jackie is forced to serve out a sentence doing community service for accosting an audience member. While there, he meets Harmony (Leslie Mann), the daughter of a sleazy Florida real estate mogul (Harvey Keitel), and the two find inspiration in one another, resulting in surprising consequences.… Expand

Director: Taylor Hackford

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Entertainment Weekly - Joey Nolfi

Feb 2, 2017

The Comedian explores the dynamics of such unorthodox attraction with its heart in the right place, but for all of its performative charm, it still suffers the untimely misfortune of following an old, white man grousing about the state of affairs as the world diversifies around him. Read full review

Screen International - Tim Grierson

Feb 2, 2017

Much like its Oscar-winning star, the film coasts along on charm and audience goodwill, although a little more edge might have helped. Read full review

Consequence of Sound - Michael Roffman

Feb 2, 2017

What really hurts the film is its messy screenplay and boilerplate direction. Read full review

Variety - Geoff Berkshire

Nov 12, 2016

Even with a bona fide icon at its center, The Comedian doesn’t dig deep enough to add anything substantial to the subgenre. Read full review

The Film Stage - Daniel Schindel

Nov 13, 2016

The Comedian might have been salvageable if the namesake character were, you know, funny. But not only is this not the case, the film makes Jackie’s stage presence even more grating by insisting with every frame that he’s brilliant. Read full review

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Calvin Wilson

Feb 2, 2017

Working from a lackluster screenplay by a squad of writers, director Taylor Hackford (“Ray”) delivers a film so low in energy that it’s almost as if it was made to assist airline passengers in falling asleep. Read full review

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Feb 2, 2017

Why did Mr. De Niro do it, and why would anyone pay money to see it? Read full review

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User Reviews

gus260

May 14, 2017

This was well done and De Niro was at his best as usual. The actors were also great. For 2 hrs. I just enjoyed the movie and it left me laughing especially the last scene.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

westmuse

Feb 10, 2017

Straight-ahead politically incorrect with a superb jazz background. To offset the deluded negative scores I give it a 10. This film is refreshing in the era of dumb-down dialogue.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Feb 9, 2017

Robert De Niro plays a washed-up comedian who can't get past his TV hit's iconic role. He struggles with bag gigs, has a brief jail stint and meets a woman half his age (gotta hate that trite setup). The character is a shock/insult comic and his personality is abrasive and cruel, which makesRobert De Niro plays a washed-up comedian who can't get past his TV hit's iconic role. He struggles with bag gigs, has a brief jail stint and meets a woman half his age (gotta hate that trite setup). The character is a shock/insult comic and his personality is abrasive and cruel, which makes him less than sympathetic. His bad attitude doesn't help. De Niro doesn't demonstrate any particular standup skill and never makes the character especially likable, He is surrounded by lots of cameos and spotting them is the most fun in the movie. Accomplished director Taylor Hackford has kept the interactions lively, but the writing doesn't add the depth or humor to make him or his plight enjoyable. Most of the comedy is more about wincing than laughing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BHBarry

Feb 5, 2017

“The Comedian” stars Robert De Niro in the title role supported by Leslie Mann, Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Edie Falco and spot performances by Billy Crystal, Richard Belzer, Cloris Leachman and Charles Grodin. Written by Art Linson (with help from stand up comics Jeff Ross,“The Comedian” stars Robert De Niro in the title role supported by Leslie Mann, Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Edie Falco and spot performances by Billy Crystal, Richard Belzer, Cloris Leachman and Charles Grodin. Written by Art Linson (with help from stand up comics Jeff Ross, Richard LaGravenes and Lewis Friedman) the film was directed by Taylor Hackford (‘The Devil’s Advocate”, “Ray”, “An Officer and a Gentlemen’). Unfortunately, with all of these fine participants, the film is a disappointment and leaves the viewer with a feeling that, somewhere, in all of this writing and acting, there is a good film that never quite made it to the screen. Mr. De Niro’s character is an aging once famous television star seeking a comeback as a standup comic. Instead, he becomes a coarse deliverer of smut and insult that makes his audiences (both on and off the screen) squirm in discomfort and, in comparison, makes Don Rickles look like Mother Teresa. Mr. De Niro, as always, radiates a likeable persona but even that wonderful trait cannot save the film from earning only a 5 rating. He, Mr. Hackford and the writers could have done much more with the seeds of a good idea that never quite grew into a worthy flower of entertainment.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MattBrady99

May 21, 2017

Trivia: De Niro has been trying to make this movie for 8 years.

Why? Even the jokes (or the stand up comedy, if you like) are not that funny. I wonder what the originally draft of this movie was like with Sean Penn on board to direct. The thing that gave De Niro the desire to make thisTrivia: De Niro has been trying to make this movie for 8 years.

Why?

Even the jokes (or the stand up comedy, if you like) are not that funny. I wonder what the originally draft of this movie was like with Sean Penn on board to direct. The thing that gave De Niro the desire to make this movie, however with his recent work, his decisions are becoming more questionable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Shayallez

Sep 25, 2017

The worse movie I have seen in years. Comedy? Ummmm...I may have gaffawed once in the entire very long movie. I didn't think comedy could be so dumbed down. They replaced the spoken word with a series of F bombs. A grade 2 student could write a funnier script. Best of all ...the pottyThe worse movie I have seen in years. Comedy? Ummmm...I may have gaffawed once in the entire very long movie. I didn't think comedy could be so dumbed down. They replaced the spoken word with a series of F bombs. A grade 2 student could write a funnier script. Best of all ...the potty words which usually impresses 8 and 9 year olds is the funniest "unfunny" scene in the whole movie. Oh, by the way... Really impressive comedy routine delivered by a mere 8 year old child using more F bombs than a 60 year old truck driver could muster in a year. This movie was F***ing pathetic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bronxside

Feb 11, 2017

There was time I had to own every single movie he ever made. No more I can't stand him since his disgraceful comments made about our President. Perhaps his career is over now. He's moved into the role of communist Jane Fonda. I would't watch his movie if it was free on TV. He's not smartThere was time I had to own every single movie he ever made. No more I can't stand him since his disgraceful comments made about our President. Perhaps his career is over now. He's moved into the role of communist Jane Fonda. I would't watch his movie if it was free on TV. He's not smart enough to actually think of The Hate Speech so someone in Communist-Land better known as Hollywood wrote it for him. This is what happens when your wife is friendly with the first lady. DeNiro is a COMMUNIST I wouldn't pay a penny to see his movie. He hasn't made a decent movie in nearly a decade. If your an actor then act and keep your mouth shut so you don't offend your fans.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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