Filmmaker reacts to The King of Comedy (1982) for the FIRST TIME

[@JamesVSCinema]

Marvel's WHAT IF tomorrow! Finished Chernobyl & Peacemaker on the patreon! Click here for early access: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day everyone!

[@Jason-br5ow]

I remember when this was released. A lot of people HATED it. Some folks can’t handle the reality of true cringe.

[@TTM9691]

Yeah, I remember that! This was like De Niro's "Shining" (which came out a couple of years earlier): everyone beat up on it when it came out, like they did to Jack, but then came to appreciate it pretty quickly. Ditto Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories" which also came out around the same time, and had a similar theme.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

I remember that, as well, but I remember a lot of people reacting poorly to it because it stirred up a lot of bad memories regarding John Lennon's murder, which occurred only about two years earlier. The parallels between Lennon's vulnerability on the streets of New York, with those of the Jerry Lewis character, and the imagined state of mind of Mark David Chapman, with those of Di Nero's character, were too right on point at the time. In retrospect, and with the distance of time, this was an excellent and disturbing film, to be sure.

[@hegstad9]

To Scorsese it wasn't a comedy, but a very frightening movie.

[@benfisher1376]

Imo this is one of Scorsese's best. It is, perhaps, even more relevant in todays world of instant fame and social media. Everyone seems to want to be recognised and loved.

[@Jason-br5ow]

@@benfisher1376 I also just realized it was the first Scorsese movie I ever saw. When I was 10 years old! It was on HBO a lot. Good times.

[@edsbigsister]

This is my favorite Scorsese film! He just gets comedy in a way no one else does. After Hours being another hilarious and interesting film by him.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Absolutely, Wolf of Wall Street is a great example as well! I’ll check After Hours!

[@frightenedsoul]

@@JamesVSCinema after hours is really really good. Would be a great one for the channel because it’s such a great movie but not super popular so no other reactions to it

[@evanboy2]

YES!!! After Hours is such an underappreciated gem! Really hope we get to see it on this channel🤞🏿

[@BigSleepyOx]

After Hours is great, and under-appreciated like King of Comedy is.

[@jocgo]

@@JamesVSCinema I thought After Hours was one of the funniest movies I ever saw. Highly recommend

[@corc1992]

What an under appreciated film whose themes are still current and apply to today more than ever. The way regular people aspire to celebrities and the lengths they go for their 15 minutes of fame is crazy. And this was in the early 80s. This movie was way ahead of its time but unfortunately lost in time and lost in the shadow of other Scorsese classics.

[@ross8884]

was thinking the same thing....1000s of people are doing what he did lol

[@stevenhartline6723]

Sandra Bernhard won the National Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actress award (deservedly) for this role, and should have been Oscar nominated

[@lindarichards3195]

Fun fact: Jerry Lewis confessed that Sandra Bernhard scared the crap outta him. He seriously didn't know what she'd do during their scene.

[@bigneon_glitter]

*Fantastic* pick. 1985's _After Hours_ is another lesser known Scorsese classic for the list - in his Top 5, imo. Good on you for digging deep in his filmography.

[@atti97]

After Hours was so great. The reason to make the After Hours (wich won award for best director in the Cannes Film Festival) and The Color of Money because he needed to get money for The Last Temptation of Christ.

[@sharkymo1965]

After Hours and Cape Fear are his most underrated films imo. Scorsese is such a great director its incredible

[@atti97]

@@sharkymo1965 Cape Fear one of the best Remake in Hollywood history.

[@brittyn]

I have also recommended After Hours on his Patreon polls before.

[@aeon4901]

@@atti97 Oh yeah, After Hours is one of my all time favorite movies, I hope James reacts to it.

[@brittyn]

I actually saw this movie after loving Joker and hearing it was a big influence. I immediately loved this too. It’s great to see Deniro in a role like this! So different from the norm. Fun fact, the waitress/love interest was his wife in real life. All the banter between Deniro and Bernhard cracks me up too! They’re great together!

[@marlonthemarvellous]

She was also in Taxi Driver. Small role the lady in the porn theatre who Travis hits on

[@andrewmadeloni7173]

De Niro and his wife played in the Porn Theater scene together in "Taxi Driver".

[@ScottGibbs]

I think this is one of the most underrated films of all time. I love it so much.

[@lynnie6633]

I LOVED this movie when it came out, and I LOVE it now. What a twist to find out that he was actually funny, and became super famous. Amazing.

[@TTM9691]

YES!!!!!!! AT LAST!!!!!!!!! You did it, James, you broke "The King Of Comedy" barrier!!!!!!! Not another reaction to "The Thing" or "Alien".....but "King Of Comedy"! Frickin' A!!!!! Diving into this now. Rock on, James!!!!!!!!! And thanks!!! Super psyched for this one!!!!! As always, you lead the pack, you weren't born to follow!

[@brittyn]

Well, you can thank those on Patreon for voting for it 🙃

[@WhiskyCanuck]

In terms of appreciating Robert De Niro's abilities in comedy, my pick for funniest De Niro movie - though Charles Grodin gets most of the funny moments & from the situations themselves - is Midnight Run (1988) - I highly recommend it.

[@beanz6745]

Marvin! 👊

[@richarddefortuna2252]

Excellent film!

[@kated5477]

It's cringy, hilarious, and a social commentary on celebrity all in one. One of my faves. "Rupert! Maaawwwwwmmmm"

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

In a deleted scene he tries to open his safe and can't do it. he goes, "Aww maaaaawwm... did you touch my safe? Was Junior in here again?" When he says it, he makes the funniest face like an 8 year old who had his ice cream cone fall in the dirt. I want that scene on a loop. It's so funny. You can find it here on KZbin.

[@sheilaomalley4055]

So glad you watched this one! For me, this is one of De Niro's best performances. I have no idea how Diahnne Abbott could sit across the table from her own husband - and watch him play this character - and not bust out laughing! The hair, the intonations, the behavior. Like, she knows him in real life - he is so totally transformed. The autograph book scene! She's wonderful too - she shows up in Taxi Driver as well as New York New York - she also has a wonderful couple of scenes in Love Streams (directed by John Cassavetes - one of Scorsese's inspirations and mentor-figures. In Mean Streets, there's a poster for Cassavetes' movie Husbands hanging in the movie theatre - a nice nod from Scorsese to one of the fathers of American independent film.) This is such an uncomfortable movie and I love it.

[@sheilaomalley4055]

and you're so right - this is like the ultimate cringe movie!

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

There's more to that scene that was cut out. The guy sitting behind Rupert and making fun of him (Morrie from Goodfellas) uses the restaurant phone to call the pay phone behind him and has the waiter tell Rita the call is for her. She picks up the phone, he introduces himself, and tells her to ditch Rupert and meet him outside. She does. Her character comes off as sort of like a golddigger. Anyways, they go back to his place and he shows her a dildo and she instantly gets freaked out, but stays. At some point he gets a little too grabby and she leaves. On the way out, she runs into Rupert -- he somehow had followed them.

[@TTM9691]

I feel like the ending is real. If it's real, then it's even more about society and how we deal with celebrity and media. Case in point: the year before this film, John Hinkley shot the President (Reagan), inspired by "Taxi Driver"! He went to jail, and guess what? He's getting out in a couple of months.....and he's already got a SOLD OUT show here in NYC! He's been writing songs in jail! He's on Spotify! Life imitating art, art imitating life....... Is that not the weirdest twist to this whole thing?!!!!!!

[@AlexG-xl1cc]

The guy who shot John Lennon has a KZbin channel and puts out music. Boston Bomber was on the cover of Rolling Stone looking like a rockstar.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

@@AlexG-xl1cc Are you sure about Chapman, Lennon's killer? I know that he's still in jail; his last parole bid, which was last summer, was turned down flat. I can't imagine that he's allowed access to a KZbin channel. At least I'd hope not.

[@andrewstephens5885]

@@AlexG-xl1cc “just cause you shot Jesse James, doesn’t just mean you’re Jesse James”

[@joestimemachine6454]

A true gem of cinema. Like all Scorsese films, it just gets better and better with every viewing.

[@TTM9691]

Once again, I'm revisiting this old reaction since nobody but you has done a reaction for it! And a great one it was! Thanks!!! Such a fantastic movie, you really brought it home how fantastic!

[@matthewjaco847]

To me, it’s darkly hilarious on the surface, but when you look a little deeper, it’s kind of deeply unsettling…and yet, strangely, even more darkly hilarious FOR that reason.

[@-0rbital-]

By the way, the voice of Rupert’s mother is done by Martin Scorsese’s mother.

[@Ryann1103]

Now that you've seen The King of Comedy, you MUST watch After Hours (1985)!!! It's another great 80s Scorsese comedy and my personal favorite of his, the humor is like the one in The King of Comedy sometimes, but it's way more surreal and absurd!

[@evanboy2]

So awesome so many people are recommending After Hours in the comments! Its a fantastic movie and my favorite of all time!!!

[@wet-read]

​@@evanboy2 It's funny, Scorsese of course is more known and loved for his films about crime and violence, but I like his ones about other subjects more. The King of Comedy is presently my favorite of his, with After Hours nipping at its heels (I need to finish it, but I feel it growing on me). After Hours happens to be on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list, which is how I became aware of it.

[@shortmorgan_]

fun fact, De Niro apparently started stalking and harassing his own stalkers to prepare for the role

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s incredible hahaha

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

7:30 That's a great observation about the hallway shot. I never thought of it that way, but it's so true!

[@alverti8533]

Rupert Pupkin was the OG clout chaser

[@TTM9691]

Fantastic reaction!!!! Loved that you connected it to "Network"! This came out right after John Lennon was murdered by a fan, and it also came after a movie with some similar themes about stardom (although completely different), Woody Allen's amazing "Stardust Memories". It also came out right after "Raging Bull"! They do "Raging Bull"....then this! And De Niro: Mean Streets, Godfather 2, Taxi Driver, Deer Hunter, Raging Bull....and now this. The guy was just setting new standards for acting every other year, practically. Loved this comment at 9:48 - Yeah, Scorsese (and Woody Allen) photographed the f**k out of this city, in the 70s and the 80s, like no one has ever done before or since./11:05 "What an iconic shot". Totally. I had the same reaction when I first saw it, when it came out. Even the people who hated the movie liked that shot, lol./11:46 - Oh my god, De Niro must have LOVED doing this part./17:16 - Yeah, Sandra Bernhardt kills this indeed! This made her a star and she's never had a better role since, sadly.

[@rustincohle2135]

SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET: What's really brilliant about the writing and editing of this film is that what we're led to believe is true, is actually false... and what we're led to believe is false, is actually true. Example, we believe that Rupert is a grown man still living with his mother. But we never see her and only hear her nagging voice, when in fact, she's actually dead and Rupert just hears her voice in his head because he's schizophrenic, thus Rupert simply talks back to her voice to cope with it. And what we believe is just fantasies in his head, i.e. Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) telling Rupert that he's a comedy genius/Jerry asking Rupert to take over the Tonight Show (in the first act of the film). Those aren't daydreams at all. Those are future events that take place AFTER Rupert's released from prison and becomes a huge star. The editing is just nonlinear. It's brilliant. And yes, "Joker" stole heavily from this and "Taxi Driver". This is why I wasn't impressed with "Joker" when I saw it in the theater (the script was unoriginal and mediocre, but the filmmaking was good). But so many people were so bowled over by "Joker" because they hadn't seen these films prior.

[@michaelmaloskyjr]

@Rustin Cohle So true about "The Joker" Nobody saw this and understood Deniro's character callbacks in Joker. I almost feel like that movie was buoyed by the DC Comic angle, but was in fact just how you described: a well-acted but mediocre script with solid cinematography. Origin story? Nah. Homage to "King?" Absolutely.

[@rustincohle2135]

@@michaelmaloskyjr Yea, if the film wasn't set in the DC universe, no one would've cared about it.

[@micmaliss]

I like your assessment. I saw this before Joker and still loved it. We must remember, The Joker's origin is multiple-choice. So, what better movies to use when cranial chaos ensues?

[@neotheone04]

I'm soooo happy you watched this dude, De Niro is just too good in this. This is the first comedy movie I watched where I was unsure about cheering on the protagonist of the movie. You should definitely check out A Bronx Tale (1993), another De Niro classic. Very heartfelt movie with a great New York aura and a touching father-son character dynamic.

[@TonyJBroni]

Great choice! Saw this late last year myself. I think the ending is real. While we get Rupert's fantasies that reach into what he thinks his future is, we also get Jerry's cold reality. He's running from insane fans, he's often alone in his dark apartment - nothing glamorous about it. Jerry shows bitterness and pretty much tells Rupert, making it big isn't what you think. In the end, when the camera pans to Rupert, among the fanfare and bright lights, and in a great piece of acting by Bobby - Rupert's slight smile completely disappears for a second. The reality is not as enjoyable as the fantasy. Felt like a 'be careful what you wish for' moment. Nice catch on Rupert's mom possibly being another delusion. I missed that.

[@stephenwyatt88]

You're in for a treat with this one. This is one of Scorsese's very best.

[@williamclarke3162]

I saw King of Comedy for the first time last month and it was so uncomfortable (in a good way). It feels so relevant to right now because of fan obsession. Robert De Niro is so spectacular in the role and so is Jerry Lewis. Seeing both this and Taxi Driver (I saw that a long time ago before Joker) kinda made Joker go down for me a bit. This also solidified for me that Scorsese and De Niro is the best actor/director collaboration. This definitely shot its way up as one of my favorite Scorsese films.

[@marlonthemarvellous]

Agreed but after John Hinckley Jnr tried to assassinate Ronald Reagan to get famous and impress Jodie Foster I feel that Scorsese felt the need to make this film. Could be wrong though

[@michaelproch8801]

Another dark comedy/thriller movie about the industry I think you’d really dig is Robert Altman’s “The Player”. It’s an amazing movie for any cinephile to watch!

[@rabbitandcrow]

The Player is one if THE great movies about show biz.

[@bigneon_glitter]

💯. Dude needs more Altman in his life. _The Player_ writer Michael Tolkin is also the creator of the upcoming making of _The Godfather_ series, _The Offer._

[@BigSleepyOx]

Thanks for this. I've been waiting for someone to react to this underappreciated masterpiece. :)

[@seank135]

I just love movies like this that came out before I was born but in some weird & scary way is more relevant now than it was back when it was released 😬

[@neotheone04]

Weird and scary is a really good way to describe what you feel after watching this movie, it's a true black comedy

[@cappinjocj9316]

To be fair to the makers of the Joker, if you’re going to draw “artistic inspiration” from somewhere, then a Scorcese movie is a pretty good place to start.

[@MiyuMedia]

Oh man, i love this film so much! I've seen it too many times hahaha. One of my all time favorites from Scorsese. And even thought i really like "The Joker", the first time i saw it i couldn't enjoy it as much as other people did, because i kept seeing "The King Of Comedy" all over it. Also, I love how, along with De Niro and Bernhard, critics were praising Jerry Lewis' "dramatic perfomance" in this movie, since he is a world known comedian/filmmaker, with a very loud, slapstick, physical style, and his response at the time was something like: "what performance?, i was being myself" LOL being a long time fan of Jerry Lewis, i know that's true. He was a very serious artist. Is obviously intentional that his whole character, lines, name, wardrobe, the song Masha sings, his walk on the street (even his show and tv collaborators), were written/shown as a direct reference to himself, his career and real life experiences. I wish more people knew this film and talked about it as they do about other gems by Scorsese. So thanks a lot James for reacting to it. Definitely, a criminally underrated movie IMO. Love your channel, cheers from Chile.

[@nickotwincities]

the fact that you reacted to this particular film sets you apart. well done.

[@michaelsegriff3362]

Respect to you for covering this film, James. These reactions set you apart. Please do yourself a favor and make sure you see every film by Scorsese. There’s a miss here and there, but overall, it’s masterclass film making.

[@sheilaomalley4055]

"Even the thoughts in his head are aesthetically taking the form of television." You are so good at this. You pick up on *everything* and express it so well!

[@GreyElf3K]

Fun fact: Diahnne Abbott, who played Rita Keane in The King of Comedy (and the concession girl in Taxi Driver) was married to Robert De Niro from 1976 to 1988.

[@KipArmadillo]

The Joker is 100% derivative of both Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. Rupert Pupkin is one of the greatest unknown movie villains of all time, and among DeNiro's greatest performances.

[@GuarmaRummy]

"I'd rather him be fearing for his life than being annoyed." No joke... that line made me legit LOL

[@garypaterson1477]

Thanks for sharing your time and thoughts with us. Hope you are well, as alway, stay awesome, stay genuine... much love

[@JamesVSCinema]

Appreciate ya brotha Gary

[@marlonthemarvellous]

Yes James I'm glad you finally got to watch this. Really and truly a lot more people should watch/react to this film. It's one of Scorsese' and DeNiro's best. My thoughts on the film...it shows a fine line between comedy and tragedy. It's a very Walter Mitty type film. And one of those like Taxi Driver that really tackles the mental state of its character. Also shout out to Sandra Bernard what a performance beside an acting great. She was phenomenal. Great reaction my dude as always

[@marlonthemarvellous]

Also I've seen this film sooo many times and my dumb ass did not pick up on that his mum was dead. Thanks for pointing out

[@FrancoisDressler]

Another masterwork from the master. Powerful and timeless.

[@antrimlariot2386]

A good take on it. Such a prescient film. Loved it when it came out 40 years ago. Love it more now. Even more relevant. A film's good when it's food for thought.

[@xtpm234]

I think this and after hours are scorsese's real gems..the two most underrated yet aesthetically brilliant in cinematography terms and actual story telling, with open interpretations on what's really happening....the ending of King of comedy resonates in a way that you don't forget..especially with the music, deniros facial expressions and mannerisms ...superb

[@wet-read]

It's funny, Scorsese of course is more known and loved for his films about crime and violence, but I like his ones about other subjects more. The King of Comedy is presently my favorite of his, with After Hours nipping at its heels (I need to finish it, but I feel it growing on me). After Hours happens to be on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list, which is how I became aware of it.

[@Tusc9969]

What a fantastic reaction to a brilliant film!!! There's one more film that happens to be criminally underrated from Scorsese... it's a true hidden gem and it called "After Hours" !!! Please check it out!!!

[@MikeB12800]

This movie blew me away when I first saw it as a teenager in the 90’s. Didn’t know anything about it prior to randomly seeing it on late night cable.

[@wet-read]

That was pretty much my experience. I discovered it while browsing cable, and was puzzled because I had never heard of it before despite it featuring big names and being directed by Martin Scorsese. I was fascinated and highly entertained by it!

[@t.hussain921]

After Hours is another lesser known Scorsese film that you should watch. It inspired Safdie Brothers' Good Time.

[@kayaleandreaspencer631]

I don't know if anybody has said this already but the other movie that popped in my head is "Nightcrawler". Does anyone else feel that too? But the difference in Nightcrawler is he just wanted to be successful at something, not choosing one thing to hyper-focus on like this movie or the Joker.

[@claumeister1]

I don’t think De Niro has the range of Pacino, but he’s amazing at playing crazy dangerous guys, from Mean Streets to Taxi Driver to this. In fact, he “goes there” in the infamous Russian roulette scene in the Deer Hunter. He convinces his murderous captors he’s crazy, and that’s why he wants 3 bullets in the gun. After 2 empty pulls to his head that could’ve been fatal, he stands up and fires all 3 into his captors. Not so crazy after all ...

[@paulklenknyc]

Kudos for doing King of Comedy!

[@Sirala6]

Taxi Driver vibes, exactly. The danger of an unmoored, motivated brain.

[@harveybojangle475]

12:31=That's a classic Jerry Lewis run. He's done that in countless films and it's hilarious!

[@spornge]

An absolute brilliant movie some how both ahead of its time and orignally released right on the tip of the spear

[@mamaliamalak7825]

Just discovered your channel, really enjoy it. I'll be honest, I learned about this movie because of the Joker. Also if you are interested, you may want to check out Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. It isn't his best known work, but it was ground breaking on the cinematography side. The movie takes place in real time and filmed so that it looks like one long shot.

[@johnsensebe3153]

If you haven't yet, you should check out Brazil. It's another film that dives into its main character's mind, directed by Terry Gilliam, who's a very visual director.

[@dfa3366]

His mom was real. That's brought his reality down a notch from his fantasy life. His live at his mom's house in the basement living btw reality and fiction.

[@louielouie22]

You would love The Red Violin.

[@adamolufson7338]

Yo James, I watched this for the first time last week and I’ve concluded it’s a masterpiece and my favorite Scorsese film. But I just now that I realized that Mom is definitely not there. Wow. Good catch early in the film 🤝

[@Bhead69]

One of the things that really disappointed me about the joker was how close it was to this movie and taxi driver. Though if there’s two films to draw from you can’t go wrong with 2 masterpieces

[@JamesVSCinema]

I can see that honestly. I’m happy the Joker was still good but I get where you’re coming from.

[@juandesalgado]

Taxi Driver's writer Paul Schrader went to direct a movie of his own with Nick Nolte (another transcendent lunatic), titled "Affliction". Give it a shot.

[@acs42969]

Sandra Bernhard is a force! When she's on screen, all eyes are on her!

[@Horror-Man]

The King of Comedy and The Heartbreak Kid (1972) are 2 of the greatest dark comedy films ever made. They actually make for an amazing double feature.

[@alanmurray5963]

"Better to be King for a night..........than shmuck for a lifetime"

[@hegstad9]

Notice : in your review here (~ at 7:26) ~ ) you say : " ... I felt like that shot personifies just how distant he is from people, kind of showcase from that long hallway ... !" Then : look at your review from "Taxi Driver" (~ at 8.40 ~) ... look at the same long empty hallway shot ~ directed by Martin Scorsese, shot my Michael Chapman and acted by DeNiro ~ when 'Travis Bickle' calls 'Betsy' (Cybill Shepherd) and tries to apologize ... ~ the same long empty hallway shot ~ in both movies ~ by the same director & actor ~

[@mr.a8315]

A masterpiece of a tragicomedy - it is so rewatchable. Great reaction and review. 👑♥ Only two reactions to this on KZbin as far as I could see. Did you ever watch Scorsese's excellent black comedy 'After Hours' (1985)?

[@Britcarjunkie]

The reason Jerry Lewis was "prancing" through the street is because, that was one of his trademarks. Afterall, he really was the King of Comedy for over 70 years. What most people didn't know about him: he was also the second fastest gun in Hollywood: number 1, was none other than Sammy Davis Jr. 🙂

[@michaelmaloskyjr]

Jerry Lewis running: Only need to watch one of his many slapstick, zany comedies from the period to see that character coming through. As per ending: The film stock and lighting suggests Pipkin really did serve some time, write a book and star in a show. This was the decade of Patty Hearst after all; Scorcese's films must be understood in the cultural milieu of their time. Cringey, criminal notoriety is just enough for TV ratings and filling a few seats. P.s. the older man playing the piano was the brilliant piano comedian Victor Borge (who had a record number of HBO one man comedy specials); Rupert's accomplice was Sandra Bernhard, provocative comedian, gf of Madonna and herself, a hybrid product of fame and bizarre curiosity. (Also notice a few "Dog Day Afternoon" themes? Botched crime. Hapless felons) ** Keep this theme going ** MUST WATCH film: 1979 Hal Ashby gem "Being There" starring Peter Sellers and based on the 1970 blockbuster novel. This movie will stay with you for some time, guaranteed.

[@sntxrrr]

This in a way feels like a follow up to the movie Network in how it deals with media in our society. Part two of an unintended trilogy. Makes me wonder what part three would be, maybe Don't Look Up but I haven't actually seen that one yet so I don't know if it measures up.

[@adamwarlock1]

Interesting idea. My first thought for a third "violence & media" film would be Gus Van Sant's To Die For.

[@wet-read]

That is an intriguing notion. I'll have to look into Don't Look Up, but for now, I wonder if ED TV would be a good candidate for the third?

[@siddarthkoppaka5644]

Was just thinking the other day I’d love to see you talk about this movie. Watched it in prep for Joker when it was coming out (still not sure if it affected my opinion of that movie) and it was so interesting to see Scorsese direct a movie like this. A departure from his other movies but with similar themes.

[@rustincohle2135]

Joker was fine except for the script, which Todd Phillips ripped off from this film and "Taxi Driver". Both being two of my favorite films prior, "Joker" is just so lazy and unoriginal by comparison. And generally for me, the script is the most important element of a film. Cuz without one, you got nothing (99% of time at least). A good script is the foundation of a good movie in which to build upon.

[@siddarthkoppaka5644]

@@rustincohle2135 yeah that’s my general feeling about the movie. It was well made and I was entertained by it, but the script was definitely derivative of these movies.

[@rustincohle2135]

@@siddarthkoppaka5644 It's still mind-boggling to me that "Joker" got an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay despite the mediocrity of the script-- while the screenplays for "Taxi Driver", "The King of Comedy" and "The Dark Knight" (the better Joker movie) didn't get nominated at the Oscars despite the creativity, originality and thought provoking subject matter of those scripts.

[@goeienacht]

Obviously one of my favorite flicks

[@spaceghost27]

looks so much like the my pillow guy

[@alexa.english174]

Idk about you but this year has been moving pretty fast so far!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Truly, hope you’ve been enjoying the moments!

[@garycoates4987]

Absolutely,, I made the connection from seeing the first trailer, but also back in the day can see the connection between the characters in king of comedy and taxi driver, way before the joker existed

[@rhiannamutyaba6461]

Great film.The scene in Jerrys house is too good,you literally want to excuse yourself from the room and the line about Hitler is too funny.The King of Comedy also one of Edward Nortons favourite films.

[@keyserxx]

The twist to this one is we're not sure if he actually made it on TV or if he's in prison imagining it :) my film recommendation: Being There :)

[@gregharker1600]

This move did shock people when it came out. People expected typical slapstick from Jerry Lewis. Tony Randall would guest host for Carson, which added to the realism. When I watched the Joker, I was thinking of this movie. The imaginary girlfriend and being chased around the halls and Robert De Niro are similar. The big difference is that in the Joker, Robert De Niro provoked a mad man.

[@adamwarlock1]

I remember years of people saying they were surprised how "mean" Jerry's character is. Was very surprised when I finally saw it that most of his behavior seems completely justified, or at least understandable.

[@AlexG-xl1cc]

Scorsese said he thinks this is DeNiros best acting performance ever.

[@cmgianaras1]

The biggest difference between Taxi Driver and King of Comedy vs Joker is that the two Scorsese movies were original and good

[@CezzL]

My favourite Scorsese film! DeNiro and Sandra Bernhard go so hard and are brilliant. And Jerry Lewis playing it straight for once is incredible. The whole film makes me so uncomfortable 😆

[@silent-trouble]

One of my favorite movies. Great pick.

[@adamprice3466]

I always suspected the ending was just one of his daydreams.

[@johnmorris8444]

This movie is great for that squirming, second hand embarrassment. A real under the radar classic.

[@jaycup4176]

14:29 lol...that joker ending!

[@notveryniceatall]

Hey look it's the same comment again

[@petersokol1603]

The beginning of what became KZbin stars.

[@AugustineD6]

Scorsese makes a cameo as the show director

[@wasabiithink9601]

Crazy i just watched this for the first time the other day

[@susiestone5644]

Jerry Lewis is playing a Johnny Carson type/ the Tonight Show, where in this era in real life, where an unknown comedian, would/could become Huge overnight with appearance on the show.

[@petersokol1603]

This is a brutal fucking film.

[@jackieboyborden]

This is honestly my second favorite Scorsese-De Niro team up after Raging Bull

[@pietergreveling]

Harvey Keitel at his best in Bad Lieutenant (1992)! 👌🏼✌🏼

[@jameskelly5672]

I would say Ruperts mother is real, because he cannot afford his own apartment.

[@ElephantEarsPress]

I loved it the minute it was released. It is one of the best comedies ever made. About the sociopathy of the search for fame, it spares nobody, especially the famous. So much so Martin Scorsese almost disowned it in one interview - De Niro pushed him to make it. Jerry Lewis's Langford is magnificent. The sad thing is the writer is barely acknowledged. Paul Zimmerman wrote it in the 70s when De Niro first wanted it made. The Joker is histrionic and way behind by comparison. King of Comedy is so real it makes it so hard to watch at times. It is as strong today as it was then. My favourite scene is the TV execs - what are we going to do? But there are so many.

[@christochristo6245]

My favorite Scorsese movie. There's nothing like it

[@ThomasSoles]

The original Joker movie! Love both.

[@jonnyyen7169]

I think the film is a complete fantasy that only takes place in his mind. His appearance is kind of dorky, but always tightly put together. He doesn't really look like that, it's his own conception of his best self. Also, no one that is having conversations with multiple people that are clearly not there is going to function at the level of fame he imagines at the end of the film. To say that the end really happened is a pretty bad look for society, but if it didn't happen that way, and he's still in prison, out of his mind, doing a show every night for a brick wall, it's infinitely worse.

[@thomthum2000]

The Fantastic Mr. Ripley ... I think you mixed up 2 different films 😂

[@subliminallime4321]

You know what movie is a lot like this, but is played for comedy? Airheads. Adam Sandler, Brenden Fraser, Steve Buscemi... very similar plot.

[@AD-vp6cz]

yeeeesssss!!!! one of my fave

[@BomageMinimart]

IF you really like asking yourself questions while you watch a movie and after it ends, watch Primer! PRIMER!