Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro both have had very illustrious careers. Everyone knows this, and if they were to fade away today, they would go down as two of the best in modern day Hollywood. Their collaborations are usually something to marvel at, most notably, "Taxi Driver", "Goodfellas", and "Raging Bull". I've always been a fan of "The King of Comedy", another collaboration between the two, but for some reason over the years it has somewhat flown under the radar. Not only was I surprised to hear that a lot of people in my life had never seen or heard of this film, I was also shocked in the sense that it has never been mentioned along with the greats.
"The King of Comedy" is about a crazy up and coming comedian who will do anything to make it big. He meets his idol, Jerry Langford, masterfully played by Jerry Lewis, and the film follows him eventually stalking and kidnapping Jerry to make it onto the show he so dearly loves. I'm going to go ahead and say it, but I think this is one of De Niro's top 3 best performances along with "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull". Not only is he downright insane and creepy as the clueless Rupert Pupkin, he is actually funny when it comes down to his comedy routine. Jerry Lewis' somewhat autobiographical performance should also be highly praised. Throw in a degranged Sandra Bernhard (definitely the best role of her career), and you have an acting masterpiece. I'm not sure if the movie as a whole is along with the other Scorsese classics, but he said it well when he believes that this is the best performance De Niro ever gave him. Although more modest and low key than some of his other films, Scorsese really scores with this one, and for that I am writing about it and recommending it.
*3 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*
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