The King of Comedy
The King of Comedy brings back Robert De Niro as the starring role for the fifth time over Marty’s eight films to date. And for the fifth time, he plays a person that, if you met in real life, would be very off-putting and make you want to leave the room before long.
In this film, that character is Rupert Pupkin, a man determined to meet his hero Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), a late night talk show host. He often fantasizes about befriending him, having dinner with him, and taking over his job for a few weeks “as a favor”. There are many scenes in the film that take place in Rupert’s head as he lives out these fantasies. Where Taxi Driver‘s Travis Bickle had fantasies of violence – Rupert has fantasies of friendship.
Rupert is, in a way, scarier than Travis. With Travis and people like him, you know what he’s capable. You can see it. He tells you. But Rupert has a certain charisma to him – at first you probably don’t realize what he’s capable of. He’s planning his next move. He’s thinking about how to get what he wants. He’s dangerous. He’ll find a way.
This film is shot in a way to make the audience uncomfortable. Shots hold on just too long as people Rupert interacts with are forced to listen to him not comprehending simple social interactions or cues. There are multiple scenes where a receptionist cannot get him to leave because he can’t fathom that Jerry doesn’t want to meet with him. It’s almost hard to watch.
Scorsese was originally planning to stop making narrative films after Raging Bull and focus on documentaries – until Robert De Niro convinced him to direct this film. De Niro prepared for his role of “celebrity stalker” by stalking his real life stalkers – even following them home and interviewing them. If someone like him did this today, there would be a lot less actors in the world.
Scorsese Rankings:
While I had seen this film twice before, I had never appreciated it as much as I did this watch.
- Taxi Driver
- The King of Comedy
- Raging Bull
- Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
- Mean Streets
- Who’s That Knocking at My Door
- New York, New York
- Boxcar Bertha
Next week, a film I’ve seen and know I love: After Hours. See you then.
