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

Danny DeVito said that he did not read the whole script of The Comedian. He only read the scenes in which his character 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

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

Siman Tov! U'Mazal Tov!
Performed by The Free Downloads
Arrangement by Taylor Hackford

User Reviews

Is this supposed to be funny?

The film "The Comedian" is not really funny , kind of annoying and nasty. Is Robert De Niros character , Jackie Burke , supposed to be Rupert Pupkin after thirty years in the business , all bitter , nasty and burned out? Of course , "King of Comedy" was a much better and entertaining movie had more interesting characters and focus , and Scorsese is a better director than Taylor Hackford. I don't understand why ANYONE would find Jackie Burke funny , charming or anything. It wanted to be a nice character study between Deniro and Leslie Mann , which sort of works , but then you have the relationship between Jackie Burke and his brother , played by Danny DeVito, which was just annoying. Italians playing Jews is an interesting dynamic , and , as I like to say , Jews and Italians are very similar in character , especially in New York. It could have been a lot better , but it is what it is, which is not a very good film.