The King of Comedy

Name: The King of Comedy
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Released: February 18, 1983
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Diahnne Abbott, Ed Herlihy, Jerry Lewis, Loretta Tupper, Lou Brown

1983

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 76 Ratings

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The King Of Comedy

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: February 18, 1983 | PG

Starring: Diahnne Abbott, Ed Herlihy, Jerry Lewis, Loretta Tupper, Lou Brown, Peter Potulski, Robert De Niro, Sandra Bernhard, Vinnie Gonzales, Whitey Ryan

Summary: Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: PG

Runtime: 109 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

De Niro gives a miraculous character performance, much different from the intense brooding loners for which he is renowned. He seems to disappear into this oddball, somewhat repulsive, but ultimately rather touching character. Sandra Bernhard, in her film debut, is nearly as memorable as Rupert's outrageous partner in crime. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Philip Horne

This film about the cult of celebrity in America strikes me as a uniquely intelligent ironic masterpiece – though, witty as it is, it isn’t a comedy, despite what the title and the casting of Jerry Lewis might lead you to expect. Read full review

Melissa Anderson

The King of Comedy, which Film Forum is presenting in a new 4K restoration for a week-long run, brilliantly keeps viewers unmoored, the result of its consistently off-kilter tone. Though filled with sight gags and corny jokes, the movie is also darkened by genuine menace. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Though The King of Comedy seems less substantial than past De Niro-Scorsese collaborations, it's a funny, stinging film in which there's much to enjoy. Miss Abbott, Mr. De Niro, Mr. Lewis and the unforgettably alarming Sandra Bernhard (as a fan even crazier than Rupert, and one who looks like an enraged ostrich) deliver fine performances, and the film's satirical edge can indeed be cutting. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The King of Comedy is not, you may already have guessed, a fun movie. It is also not a bad movie. It is frustrating to watch, unpleasant to remember, and, in its own way, quite effective. Read full review

Dave Kehr

You feel for the first time that Scorsese is trying to distance himself from his characters—that he finds them grotesque. The uncenteredness of the film is irritating, though it's irritating in an ambitious, risk-taking way. You'd better see for yourself. Read full review

Pauline Kael

Scorsese designs his own form of alienation in this mistimed, empty movie, which seems to teeter between jokiness and hate.

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User Reviews

Diptanshu

Oct 2, 2019

scorceses finest outing!robert deniro is just amazing he really lived the part of beign an real king of acting!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Habibiehakim

Jun 23, 2021

I was laughing when every people that mispronounced Pupkin into "Pumpkin" or "Pipkin", and that's the only thing in the movie that i laugh for, because the rest of it is darker than i thought, Pupkin is a killer behind the clown, they just not showing it, i might be take this too seriouslyI was laughing when every people that mispronounced Pupkin into "Pumpkin" or "Pipkin", and that's the only thing in the movie that i laugh for, because the rest of it is darker than i thought, Pupkin is a killer behind the clown, they just not showing it, i might be take this too seriously but for me that's the fact, Pupkin and Masha really reminded me on Mark David Chapman (John Lennon killer) who is a big fanatic that turned to be the killer of his fanatic, and for me to reminded a killer like that is because De Niro and Sandra Bernhard amazing performance, and not forget to mention Jerry Lewis incredible performance really makes The King Of Comedy a Masterpiece, i highly recommended.… Expand