The Comedian (2016)

A look at the life of an aging insult comic named Jack Burke.

Director:

Taylor Hackford

Writers:

Art Linson (screenplay by), Jeffrey Ross (screenplay by) (as Jeff Ross)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Jackie Burke
Leslie Mann	...	Harmony Schiltz
Harvey Keitel	...	Mac Schiltz
Edie Falco	...	Miller
Danny DeVito	...	James Berkowitz
Patti LuPone	...	Florie Berkowitz
Charles Grodin	...	Dick D'Angelo
Cloris Leachman	...	May Connor
Lucy DeVito	...	Brittany Berkowitz
Billy Crystal	...	Billy Crystal
Veronica Ferres	...	Karola
Lois Smith	...	Miriam
Marylouise Burke	...	Adele
Stewart Steinberg	...	Bernie
Tom Morrissey	...	Herman

Storyline

Jackie (Robert DeNiro) is a comic icon, attempting to reinvent himself despite his audience only wanting to know him as a television character he played earlier in his career. After accosting an audience member, Jackie is sentenced to community service where he meets Harmony Schiltz (Leslie Mann).

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Plot Keywords:

has been | stand up comedy | contempt of court | locked in jail | olive | 

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Taglines:

nobody's a bargain

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for crude sexual references and language throughout

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Comedian

Filming Locations:

Da Mikele Illagio, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,723, 11 December 2016

Gross USA:

$1,659,002

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,659,002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinelou Films, Linson Entertainment, Anvil Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the film, Jackie (Robert De Niro) is seen going from Penn Station out to Long Island, where he enters Governors Comedy club. This is the club that Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann's husband in real-life, performed at the beginning of his career. Jackie makes fun of Hicksville, New York. This is a real town, and is next to Syosset, the town, in which Apatow grew up.

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Goofs

When Jackie and Harmony go back to her place and he starts the routine with the bottle as a microphone, the bottle changes position in his hand for one shot, then back.

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Quotes

Harmony Schiltz: My dad used to love your TV show. We've watched every episode.
Jackie Burke: Always nice to meet a fan.
Harmony Schiltz: Yeah. Well, we just had the one TV.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: Gold/Lion/The Comedian (2017)

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Soundtracks

Making Poopie
(Parody Mash-Up)
Performed by Robert De Niro
Parody Lyrics by Lewis Friedman
Music by Chris Lohr

User Reviews

Admiration for the performer hidden in a sweet romcom

This is a nice romcom which contains some crude humour but its not really about the comedy content. All the poor reviews are missing the admiration the movie tries to show for those few individuals that can hold an audience and make them laugh.

Its hard enough public speaking but to then capture an audience and hold them in your hand hanging on your every word making them laugh is what this movie is trying to show. I think Robert De Niro is a great comedy actor but from his interviews probably an introvert personality so no doubt admires the skill of people like Billy Crystal, who has a small cameo, greatly and the reason he did this movie.

Harvey Keitel's face after the final performance in the retirement home summed up the movie. Grudging admiration for the skill of live comedy.