The King of Comedy on DVD

The fourth collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro is probably their weakest, yet it's still entertaining.

De Niro is Rupert Pupkin, a struggling stand-up comedian who idolizes a Johnny Carson-style talk show host, Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). He jumps into Jerry’s car one night and practically begs him to give him a spot on the show, so Jerry tells him to call the next day to set something up.

But did Jerry mean it? Or did he merely say it to get rid of Rupert?

It doesn’t really matter, because Rupert doesn’t want to start at the bottom like most comedians; he plans to start right at the top. He's intent on getting a spot on the show, no matter what it takes, even if it means kidnapping Jerry and holding him hostage.

The King of Comedy is, obviously, a comedy; a rare occurrence for a Scorsese/De Niro collaboration. It isn't funny in that it’s a number of jokes strung together; instead, it's funny in a twisted, Death to Smoochy kind of way.

De Niro is excellent, displaying early signs of the comic timing he’s now known so well for, and Lewis plays the kind of character you love to hate. And in a very well done supporting role is Sandra Bernhard, playing a dangerously obsessed fan.

The movie’s flaw lies in the talent it possesses. Sure, it’s a very good movie, but you expect so much from a De Niro/Scorsese picture that you can’t help but feel a little short-changed. It’s best if you don’t pay attention to who made the film and just sit back and enjoy it on its own merits. It may not be for everyone, but many will surely like it.

Now this fine film is available on DVD, even if it’s not the greatest of discs. It’s presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, 16x9 TV compatible, and the quality looks like that of a 20 year old, low-budget movie. It’s soft and a bit grainy, but we’re willing to forgive that.

The audio is presented in stereo, but it sounds more like mono. There’s never much use of anything but the center channel, but it sounds okay for what it is. You need to hear the dialogue and not much else, so at least you get what you need.

Extras include a 20-minute making-of featurette that features brand new interviews with Scorsese and Bernhard, but unfortunately, none with De Niro or Lewis. There is also a still gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

The King of Comedy, from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
109 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) 16X9 enhanced, English Stereo
Starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Tony Randall and Sandra Bernhard
Produced by Arnon Milchan
Written by Paul D. Zimmerman, Directed by Martin Scorsese

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