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

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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:

A komikus

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$878,164, 3 February 2017, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$1,658,706, 17 March 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinelou Films,Linson Entertainment,Anvil Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first movie, in which Robert De Niro and Danny DeVito appeared.

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Goofs

Cloris Leachman's character is named "Conner" in the film but spelled "Connor" in the end credits.

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Quotes

Jackie Burke: She lost me when she said, We like to think.

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Connections

References Good Times (1974)

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Soundtracks

Being Alive
Performed by Bryce Pinkham
Written by Stephen Sondheim

User Reviews

Movie about unfunny comedian

As good an actor as De Niro is, he is no stand-up comic. He can't even fake it.

But the blame doesn't go mainly to casting. The story and script is a torture to endure. This movie is so packed with clichés, I was calling out events and lines just before they happened. There is no denying that a great cast was assembled, so the painful performances from Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito, Patty Lupone, Charles Grodin and Cloris Leachman can only be credited to godawful material and flat directing. The editing was painful too, with every single scene transition initiated by establishing shots. Tiresome.

The only bright spot is Leslie Mann, whose charisma somehow breaks through the dreck. I would like to see her in more good movies, and I don't mean more Judd Apatow movies.