The King of Comedy
United States • 1982 • 1h 49m
Director
Synopsis
Welcome to the disturbing world of Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro), the psychotic aspiring comedian who believes that all he needs is one appearance on the late-night talk show hosted by Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) to propel him to superstardom. After one rejection too many, the increasingly unhinged Pupkin takes matters into his own hands with a crazed scheme to land him the TV appearance of his dreams. Alternating between a flatly lit TV look for reality and a bizarre vision of Rupert’s fantasy world, Martin Scorsese’s brilliantly unsettling black comedy is a biting satire of stardom and media obsession that has only grown more relevant with time.
Synopsis
Welcome to the disturbing world of Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro), the psychotic aspiring comedian who believes that all he needs is one appearance on the late-night talk show hosted by Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) to propel him to superstardom. After one rejection too many, the increasingly unhinged Pupkin takes matters into his own hands with a crazed scheme to land him the TV appearance of his dreams. Alternating between a flatly lit TV look for reality and a bizarre vision of Rupert’s fantasy world, Martin Scorsese’s brilliantly unsettling black comedy is a biting satire of stardom and media obsession that has only grown more relevant with time.
Credits
Crew
DirectorMartin Scorsese
WriterPaul D. Zimmerman
CinematographerFred Schuler
ComposerRobbie Robertson
EditorThelma Schoonmaker
ProducerArnon Milchan
Cast
Robert De Niroas Rupert Pupkin
Jerry Lewisas Jerry Langford
Diahnne Abbottas Rita
Sandra Bernhardas Masha