King of Comedy: Purely Satirical

Movie: King of Comedy

Director: Martin Scorsese

Rating: ****

This 1983 film by Martin Scorsese is thus far considered the most unappreciated work of the director after ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’. A brilliant yet convincing take on celebrity worship and unconditional fame, ‘King of Comedy’ is a film far different and superior from other films of Martin Scorsese and definitely deserves to be embraced. Touted to be dark comedy in genre, the film is purely satirical in nature and partly humorous.

Rupert Pupkin aka Robert De Niro is an aspiring stand-up comedian with paltry talent. After meeting talk show host Jerry Langford, Rupert is certain that his time has come and nothing can stop him from fulfilling his lifelong dream. He constantly keeps trying to find a place in the talk show but continually gets snubbed by Jerry and his staff. When things don’t seem to be working, Rupert resorts to kidnapping Jerry with the help of his Jerry-obsessed friend Masha. As ransom, he demands a chance to go on ‘Jerry Langford’ show and promises to release Jerry the minute the show is aired. Will Rupert get his big break or not forms the rest of the story?

The film intelligently draws parallel between obsession and passion, with special focus on what differentiates one from the other. The role essayed by Robert is partly comical and travesty plagued by personal trauma. The biggest highlight of the film is its ability to throw light on fame, fandom and media culture and present it in the most satirical angle. The film switches back and forth between Rupert’s real and surreal life, giving one the feeling how much of Rupert’s life is actually true.

The irony of the film is that it isn’t funny at all but it appears funny. Rupert’s character is so brilliantly sketched, that most of his scenes, including the one in the talk show, are merely his obsession towards becoming a stand-up comedian. Best character of all in the film is Rupert’s unseen mother, who keeps constantly yelling at her son’s loud rehearsals. This character was played by Martin Scorsese’s mother. The best part of this role is that it appears as a voice in our heads, a voice that tells us we can’t achieve what we desire. Likewise, Rupert’s mother constantly keeps reminding her son the amount of time he’s wasting trying to be something he’s not good at.

The film bombed at the box office however over the years has certainly been regarded as one of the best films of Robert in a type of role that he never essayed again. The film definitely lacked Scorsese style of filmmaking but that doesn’t make it any inferior than his other films. Martin’s collaboration with screenwriter Paul Zimmermann certainly heightens the experience of this film and their ability to actually weave comedy out of something that isn’t funny at all deserves utmost respect.

Some of the best scenes of the film include Rupert fantasies, where he’s seen having an obsessive conversation with Jerry, Masha’s seduction scene with Jerry, where she desperately tries to woo Jerry in the most awkward fashion. Scenes between Rupert and Jerry are a treat to watch. Although most scenes are funny, there are scenes that seem too surreal to believe. Also to look forward is a cameo by Martin himself, playing a director in the film.

The film closes with one of the best lines I’ve come across in my whole life; “Tomorrow you’ll know I wasn’t kidding and you’ll all think I’m crazy. But I figure it this way: better to be king for a night, than schmuck for a lifetime.”

Undoubtedly, I don’t care what others think about this film; ‘King of Comedy’ is one of the best films that you ought to watch come what may.