The joke is a bigoted slumlord forced to live in his own building. Joe Pecci is excellent as "The Super", who gets a real education from his tenants. His red Corvette is stripped the first night. He is constantly hustled by his neighbors. Scenes such as when he goes to the local grocery to buy wine, or when his elegant girlfriend visits his dumpy apartment, are classic comedy. Vincent Gardenia as Peci's overbearing father, is a role not unlike the one he played in "Fire Sale". "The Super" is sort of a cross between "Fire Sale" and Mel Brooks "Life Stinks". The movie definitely is re watchable, and most likely will seem even funnier on repeat viewings. Highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate dark comedy. - MERK
25 Reviews
"Gimme The Rent!"
gwnightscream19 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Joe Pesci, Vincent Gardenia, Madolyn Smith Osbourne and Ruben Blades star in this 1991 comedy. Pesci (Goodfellas) plays Louis Kritski Jr., a slumlord like his father, Big Lou (Gardenia) who gets sentenced to live in one of his apartments he must fix in 120 days or goes to jail. He meets a council woman from court (Osbourne) who checks in on him to see if he's doing what he supposed to do and tries hitting on her. He befriends Marlon (Blades) who tries getting him to play basketball and such. Soon, Louis realizes he can't be like his selfish father and must be his own man. I think this is one of Pesci's best and he & the late, Gardenia were great together. I recommend this.
annoying Pesci is better as the sidekick
SnoopyStyle18 April 2015
Louie Kritski (Joe Pesci) is a money-grubbing heartless NYC slumlord who learned it from his father Big Lou (Vincent Gardenia). Housing authorities lawyer Naomi Bensinger prosecutes him. He is sentenced to bring his building up to code and forced to stay in an apartment in his building for 120 days. Louie has to stay in the building and Big Lou commands him not to fix one single thing.
The movie is pretty bad and it has to do with Joe Pesci. He's a good comic relief sidekick as this annoying character. Usually the lead characters can show solidarity with the audience and ridicule Pesci. The whole movie is ridiculous and unreal. The slums have no real problems because all of the tenants are saints. Louie cluelessly leaves his expensive car parked in the ghetto. For such a crass person, he is also completely naive. Pesci is aggressively annoying. Of course, he learns the expected heart warming lesson but what else is there?
The movie is pretty bad and it has to do with Joe Pesci. He's a good comic relief sidekick as this annoying character. Usually the lead characters can show solidarity with the audience and ridicule Pesci. The whole movie is ridiculous and unreal. The slums have no real problems because all of the tenants are saints. Louie cluelessly leaves his expensive car parked in the ghetto. For such a crass person, he is also completely naive. Pesci is aggressively annoying. Of course, he learns the expected heart warming lesson but what else is there?
Slumming it not for the fun of it
view_and_review1 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Louie Kritski (Joe Pesci) is an incorrigible slumlord, but don't blame him, he got it from his father. OK, blame him, but blame his dad too. Louie was such a miserable slumlord that the judge sentenced him to 120 days confinement in one of his vacant units not to be released until 120 days or he makes all necessary repairs, whichever occurs first. Louie was going to go down fighting NOT to improve his multi-unit New York City property.
The movie was funny at some points, but nothing sustainable. Louie was an insufferable vulgar jerk whose best pick up lines involved mentioning sex. He tried unsuccessfully to score with the lawyer that took him to court. She was all too nice in her rejections considering the crassness of his advances. She had been rebuffing him time after time as he subjected her to his insufferable sexism.
Then, one day, he handed out heaters to his freezing tenants, and all of a sudden there was a slight twinkle in her eye like, "Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all." For God's sakes, he only handed out heaters, it's not like he solved world hunger. I think he may have had a chance if he didn't once again put his foot in his mouth by mentioning sex yet again.
The point of the movie was that people deserve to be treated like people, and that means giving them heat, electricity, running water, no rats, or unwelcomed advances. Louie learned that by the end and so did his dad in a very afterschool-special type of way.
His father was going to burn down the building to free his son from living there and he revealed the plan to his son in the most obtuse way. "It's only a roof fire," he said sincerely. Oh, so we're admitting to arson now? Louie saved the building from ever being set on fire and had a heart-to-heart with his father immediately thereafter that seemed to change the old man's entire outlook on life. It was exactly what you'd see in a half hour sitcom.
"The Super" had flashes of goodness while the bulk of it was just OK. Pesci was good at being the obnoxious a-hole that became his calling card while the rest of the cast was unmemorable. I know "The Super" is referring to the superintendent, but I think that title was just a little too lofty.
The movie was funny at some points, but nothing sustainable. Louie was an insufferable vulgar jerk whose best pick up lines involved mentioning sex. He tried unsuccessfully to score with the lawyer that took him to court. She was all too nice in her rejections considering the crassness of his advances. She had been rebuffing him time after time as he subjected her to his insufferable sexism.
Then, one day, he handed out heaters to his freezing tenants, and all of a sudden there was a slight twinkle in her eye like, "Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all." For God's sakes, he only handed out heaters, it's not like he solved world hunger. I think he may have had a chance if he didn't once again put his foot in his mouth by mentioning sex yet again.
The point of the movie was that people deserve to be treated like people, and that means giving them heat, electricity, running water, no rats, or unwelcomed advances. Louie learned that by the end and so did his dad in a very afterschool-special type of way.
His father was going to burn down the building to free his son from living there and he revealed the plan to his son in the most obtuse way. "It's only a roof fire," he said sincerely. Oh, so we're admitting to arson now? Louie saved the building from ever being set on fire and had a heart-to-heart with his father immediately thereafter that seemed to change the old man's entire outlook on life. It was exactly what you'd see in a half hour sitcom.
"The Super" had flashes of goodness while the bulk of it was just OK. Pesci was good at being the obnoxious a-hole that became his calling card while the rest of the cast was unmemorable. I know "The Super" is referring to the superintendent, but I think that title was just a little too lofty.
Pretty lame
Idocamstuf31 December 2002
This is another lame comedy from Joe Pesci. In this one he plays a heartless slum lord who gets a citiation for his slums being "unsuitable", and as punishment he must live in one of his own slums until he fixes all of them. A few funny lines and slapstick moments in there, but overall its a pretty lame comedy. It also tries to take a turn into drama near the end but it doesnt really work. If you want to see Pesci in a funny, enjoyable comedy, see "My Cousin Vinny"(1992). 4.9 out of 10 sounds about right.
(shudder)
illharmonics0024 October 2003
in this movie, joe pesci slams dunks a basketball. joe pesci...
and being consistent, the rest of the script is equally not believable.
pesci is a funny guy, which saves this film from sinking int the absolute back of the cellar, but the other roles were pretty bad. the father was a greedy businessman who valued money more than people, which wasn't even well-played. instead of the man being an archetypal villain, he seemed more like an amoral android programmed to make money at all costs. then there's the token piece that is assigned to pesci as a girlfriend or something...i don't even remember...she was that forgettable.
anyone who rates this movie above a 5 or 6 is a paid member of some sort of film studio trying to up the reputation of this sunken film, or at least one of those millions of media minions who can't critique efficiently (you know, the people who feel bad if they give anything a mark below 6).
stay away...far away. and shame on comedy central, where i saw this film. they usually pick better.
and being consistent, the rest of the script is equally not believable.
pesci is a funny guy, which saves this film from sinking int the absolute back of the cellar, but the other roles were pretty bad. the father was a greedy businessman who valued money more than people, which wasn't even well-played. instead of the man being an archetypal villain, he seemed more like an amoral android programmed to make money at all costs. then there's the token piece that is assigned to pesci as a girlfriend or something...i don't even remember...she was that forgettable.
anyone who rates this movie above a 5 or 6 is a paid member of some sort of film studio trying to up the reputation of this sunken film, or at least one of those millions of media minions who can't critique efficiently (you know, the people who feel bad if they give anything a mark below 6).
stay away...far away. and shame on comedy central, where i saw this film. they usually pick better.
Incredibly stupid and universally insulting.
aromatic-27 February 2000
Profanity, stupidity, self-indulgence, and bad acting all join forces for a true tour de force in terrible movie-making. Pesci's attempt to prove My Cousin Vinny was no fluke, shows the opposite instead. He is generally too lightweight and foulmouthed to handle the lead. A true must-miss!
Have a little sense of humor..
nick_beatrice2 April 2009
For real. Have a little sense of humor about this one. Obviously it does not contain realistic elements and the acting of some of the characters didn't give their brightest performances but it's more a show than a movie. I classify movies as films that are to be taken seriously precluding to aspects like acting, filming, dialogue, original comedy, killer special effects..etc whatever it may be because the people affiliated with the making are striving to find a way to discover the next best flick. I classify shows as films that are made strictly just to entertain us. The Super is a comedy and it made me laugh hysterically just watching Pesci's physical acting. The dad was hilarious. A lot of people say he did terrible. Why? He was an arrogant slumlord and a big old asshole that had mercy for not a soul. Reminds me of my Uncle Jimmy from Boston. His angry bantering and selfish statements were so funny and in my mind authentic. The main actress? Eh whatever were watchin Pesci just to belly laugh.
So don't pay attention the shitty elements that most critics cap on but just sit down, hit the bong, and see if you don't pee in your pants laughing at the awesome talents of Joe Pesci. GIMME THE RENT!
So don't pay attention the shitty elements that most critics cap on but just sit down, hit the bong, and see if you don't pee in your pants laughing at the awesome talents of Joe Pesci. GIMME THE RENT!
Taking after dear old dad
bkoganbing11 November 2020
I have to tell you that there were parts of The Super that are quite funny. But sad
to say that at times the characters in the film become caricatures.
Vincent Gardenia is a landlord from hell. He owns several buikldigs and like many landlords the NYC Housing Department can't keep up with his shenanigans. He's raised his son Joe Pesci to be like him.
But when Pesci essentially taking a fall for dad is given house arrest in landlord and tenant court. Pesci is confined to one of Gardenia's slumlord properties and slowly but surely starts seeing his tenants as people.
In some ways this isn't a topic for humor. There are a lot of terrible landlords out there and there are tenants from hell as well. I've been in one role and had an opportunity in life to become a landlord. I've never regretted declining the role.
Best performance in the film is that of Ruben Blades who hustles and cons Pesci with 3 card monte and basketball. Also young Kenny Blank bonds nicely with Pesci as the grandson of one of the tenants.
The Super is a nice film, but will never be a top five for Joe Pesci.
Vincent Gardenia is a landlord from hell. He owns several buikldigs and like many landlords the NYC Housing Department can't keep up with his shenanigans. He's raised his son Joe Pesci to be like him.
But when Pesci essentially taking a fall for dad is given house arrest in landlord and tenant court. Pesci is confined to one of Gardenia's slumlord properties and slowly but surely starts seeing his tenants as people.
In some ways this isn't a topic for humor. There are a lot of terrible landlords out there and there are tenants from hell as well. I've been in one role and had an opportunity in life to become a landlord. I've never regretted declining the role.
Best performance in the film is that of Ruben Blades who hustles and cons Pesci with 3 card monte and basketball. Also young Kenny Blank bonds nicely with Pesci as the grandson of one of the tenants.
The Super is a nice film, but will never be a top five for Joe Pesci.
The Super
Coxer991 July 1999
Early 90's rendition of Hal Ashby's 1970 film "The Landlord," which is given the comic...or attempted comic treatment by Pesci as a snobby slumlord who moves in to his slum and sees the light; the error of his rich boy ways. Badly written and unbeliveable pretty much all the way through. One of Gardenia's final films.
No wonder this bombed!
ricklb-4354630 August 2020
This was strait out of racist stereotypical pass at humor playbook. I Had to turn it off. I liked him better when he was a landlord it made me smile, but after the ludacris sentencing, his sad but panic state of living in a crappy apartment was a joke (but not in the funny kind of way). Every one in the movie talked about being broke and poor but none talked about a job. Sounds like a movie for a communist. If one has ever rented an apartment they'll quickly realize this story makes zero sense. Pesci & Gardenia tried but the screen play failed them.
Eh?
dellamorte-8228227 February 2023
Sad to say this movie does not hold up. Not only is it full of dated material it also comes off at times overtly racist. This film is really for a hardcore Pesci fan. That's honestly the only reason to see this picture.
The performances are fine but everyone involved knew what this film really was. Just a cash grab money maker; this being Pesci's first solo-starring film. This film does not hold up in the slightest. The soundtrack helps date this movie as well be that for good or ill. It unfortunately is formulaic, a landlord whom is learning to unearth their good nature by seeing things from the personal perspectives of his tenants. It tries harkening to this contemporary Dickinson mentality that just gets muddled and bogged down in its attempted illustrations.
The performances are fine but everyone involved knew what this film really was. Just a cash grab money maker; this being Pesci's first solo-starring film. This film does not hold up in the slightest. The soundtrack helps date this movie as well be that for good or ill. It unfortunately is formulaic, a landlord whom is learning to unearth their good nature by seeing things from the personal perspectives of his tenants. It tries harkening to this contemporary Dickinson mentality that just gets muddled and bogged down in its attempted illustrations.
Gave me a headache...
graves-scott29 August 2023
Blech.
I really don't know what else to say. It is just bad and the bad accents, screaming people and soundtrack worked together to give me a headache.
It sucked.
More needed... hmmm...
Ok, this movie tries to paint the landlord as an evil person. The guy who put up the money to buy the building from the people who built the building allows people who apparently are unemployed live in the building for very low rents. They see the building before they move in. Yet they complain that the building is in bad shape.
The problem is rent control, not the landlords. But you will never see that in anything out of Hollywood.
I really don't know what else to say. It is just bad and the bad accents, screaming people and soundtrack worked together to give me a headache.
It sucked.
More needed... hmmm...
Ok, this movie tries to paint the landlord as an evil person. The guy who put up the money to buy the building from the people who built the building allows people who apparently are unemployed live in the building for very low rents. They see the building before they move in. Yet they complain that the building is in bad shape.
The problem is rent control, not the landlords. But you will never see that in anything out of Hollywood.
Enjoyable Fun
goumba23 January 2002
Although not Joe Pesci's best film, it had enough funny moments in it for me to watch it again. Joe Pesci was at his crazy comic best. Vincent Gardenia's expressions and comedic timing helped make this an enjoyable film. Mr. Gardenia's last film. Too bad, he & Pesci would have been a good team in other future projects.
Very funny!
susuze20004 September 2008
This is a pretty straight-forward comedy. Son wants to please his hard-nosed, cheap father by being the cheapest building owner he can be. But as he is sentenced to live in one of his worst maintained buildings, he is forced to learn several lessons about life. Not everyone likes this type of humor, but if you liked Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinnie I would be sure to watch this movie. As the tight-wad Super, most of the jokes are at Pesci's character's expense. However, it still leaves room for Pesci's particular style of humor. The "love" story is pretty typical but in no way detracts from the movie. The people he becomes involved with could be anybody living anywhere in the US. There are not many recognizable names in this movie but has some familiar faces that I remember from other movies. I found this to be a hilarious movie and wholly recommend it.
this movie was alot funnier then people give it credit for.
Jonas_D31 December 2002
i was 9 when my mom and dad took me to see the super at the theatre. I never laughed so hard in my life. i went to the movie store and i rented it last week and i laughed even harder. Pesci is god and this movie is very funny.....there was one problem though....too short. i give this movie a 9
THIS LIKES LIKE A GOOD ROOM.
jantjuh9 November 1998
If you like " my cousin vinny" than this is a must see. In this movie , they show a situation that is normal for some parts of the cities in the world. A "rich" guy ( home block owner) in his own ' falling apart' building, this gifs a lot off humorisch situations and after all the super will turn out to be a great guy even though his father does not agree with him. He will find a great place to park his car and will notice that the alarm works well. A guarantee for a fun evening in front of the tv. Good comedy.
Old Skool Comedy
austinonifc3 March 2023
I don't care what people say this movie is freaking great. I grew up watching this soo it holds some big nostalgia for me, but watching this movie as an adult I have more laughs than before. As a kid I didn't understand most humor but this movie can make anyone laugh. Pesci is funny as hell, the soundtrack is dope, and the characters all good too. Simple story but big laughs I'm tellin ya. If a movie like this were to come out today it probably won't be taken serious and probably not as funny, it's the classicness that makes it funny. This is one of those movies that puts u a in good mood everytime, so thanks Pesci.
What movie did others watch??
ykjdh31 January 2024
I first saw this in theaters back when it opened and lmbo. I found it again on Tubi and still enjoyed it very much. Why the low ratings?? The movie was actually very entertaining then and now. It's a lot better than some of these so called politically correct movies out today. In fact, the third act was actually a feel good moment done a lot better than the crap out today. Joe Pesci has comedic timing and big personality that's funny and quite moving.
Unsure why people said this isn't funny?? I know everyone has their own opinions but this is a comedy that actually makes you laugh. The corvette on bricks moment was hilarious. If you got 90 minutes to kill and want a decent funny movie with one of the better actors in the world check this one out.
Unsure why people said this isn't funny?? I know everyone has their own opinions but this is a comedy that actually makes you laugh. The corvette on bricks moment was hilarious. If you got 90 minutes to kill and want a decent funny movie with one of the better actors in the world check this one out.
The Super Minus Super.
tfrizzell6 July 2002
New York slum lord Joe Pesci is sentenced to stay in the apartment complex he owns until he makes all the repairs the building needs. If he does not do this in four months time, he will go to prison. A really silly little film that shows Pesci learning how the other half lives with results that are suspect at best. A bit uneven and definitely second-rate, the only attraction here is Pesci. 2 stars out of 5.
Three Words: Not Very Funny
omar-231 December 2001
Joe Pesci is usually a great actor. He was outstanding in Goodfellas and My Cousin Vinny, and was funny in both Home Alone movies and in Gone Fishin'. However, this movie is probably one of his pitfalls. This movie definitely had its potential for being funny. It's plot was pretty original. A superintendent forced by law to live in his run down tenement house. That's original! However, I don't know why, but it just wasn't very funny. It could've been because Pesci didn't play a spoiled adult who still takes advice from his misguided, overbearing, often wrong father. The acting may not have been too good. I don't know. It just wasn't funny. There were a few cute parts (like when Pesci dances to the M.C. Hammer music), but nothing special. Sorry, Joe, but you've had funnier movies.
really quite terrible
storyguy20 May 2003
I find it interesting that this lame and obscure comedy is praised in the user comments by foreigners and disparaged by most of the Americans. It must be related to the reasons the French think the Disorderly Orderly is the greatest film comedy ever to illuminate the silver screen. Objectively speaking, most coherent humans over the age of eight should agree that this movie is pretty lousy. Like many others, I saw it because I'm a fan of Pesci and Gardenia. But it's impossible to get past the underlying lameness of the script. All the hackneyed gags fall flat, and the spiritual growth of the irritating leading man is wholly unbelievable. It's of more interest as a case study in how a comedy can go wrong than as entertainment.
Sucks
hausrathman9 January 2004
Joe Pesci plays a slumlord who is forced by court order to live in one of his own tenements. You'll never guess what happens.... He bonds with its nutty, stereotypical minority inhabitants. Wow, who'd thought that would happen! The biggest question this film raises is: Why on earth could have possibility possessed Oscar-winner Joe Pesci to follow-up "Goodfellas" with this awful film. Simply by looking at the dismal final project it is safe to that script wasn't any good. Did they expect director Rod Daniel to save it? If they did, they were terribly mistaken. The only compliment one can pay this film is to say that Ruben Blades didn't disgrace himself, which is more than could be said of Pesci, who gives a shrill, one-note performance. Pesci can provide effective comic relief in serious films, but, "My Cousin Vinny" notwithstanding, he isn't very funny in comedies. (Would you really want to spend a whole film with Leo Getz?)
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