The King of Comedy - The Unhealthy Quest for Fame 

One of Scorsese's best films. The scariest aspect of Rupert Pupkin's character is his lack of awareness of just how heinous his actions are as he justifies them as a means to an end to obtain his end goal.

“Rupert wants someone to take a chance on him, when he himself is too afraid to take a chance on himself”. That’s the best description of Rupert’s flaws. He wants to have everything handed to him and doesn’t want to put in the effort to achieve his goals.

This movie is criminally underrated

5:36 “The more Rupert avoids finding out the truth about whether or not he’s actually talented, the more he has to reinforce to himself that he’s too talented to do things the normal way” Really good observation. This made me reflect on some of my own unconscious problems with perfectionism, avoidance, and self-sabotage. Your analysis fits with my own experiences of childhood emotional neglect, which apparently left me with more issues than I thought. There are so many projects I never finished, so much art I never made, because on some level I’ve always been terrified to be shown proof that I’m not capable of the type of perfection that might get me noticed. The sad part is that I do have talents that get attention from others, but it can never be enough to fill that hole. I didn’t think anything was wrong with my childhood until I learned about emotional neglect, and even then I felt like a fool for complaining about my upbringing when I know others whose parents were violently abusive. Yet, these irrational fears keep surfacing. And like a teddy bear you pull out of an old storage box, you suddenly remember that it’s been right by your side since the beginning.

I remember seeing this when it was first released. It was unique, disturbing, tragic, and is definitely one of Scorsese's best. The writing, editing, directing, acting - it's all outstanding. It's one of those films that never leaves you; it's message of 'fame at any cost' was a warning of what has become ubiquitous - especially, it seems, in the US. People are so desperate to be 'seen', and this film certainly showed not only how twisted that desire was at the time, it also foreshadowed society's present quest for fame. And, if the reality of fame fails, there's always infamy.

Not only is this my all time favorite comedy film, it's also one of the eeriest, saddest and most uniquely disturbing films I've ever seen. Even as a humungous horror fan, I can honestly say I have yet to see another film that has unnerved me and gotten under my skin in the same way KOC has, despite it having such broad humor that's also genuinely funny. Literally the only other film that can stand next to it is the original The Heartbreak Kid (1972).

This is one of my all time favorite movies! Completely underrated!

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.” ~ Jim Carrey

I appreciate that there were so many allusions to this movie in Joker 2019. One of the most underrated Scorsese flicks

I heard of King of Comedy in 2018. I was shocked that I had never heard from it and immediately watched it with my brother. What a great film. A sure sign for me that I love a film is when I see it one time and never forget the character's name. Rupert Pupkin...what a name

Scorsese’s films have an uncanny ability to stay relevant. For example, taxi driver seems even more relevant now than it was when it was released.

My second favorite Scorsese movie after Goodfellas. Rupert's real tragedy is that he probably had the talent to be successful--his act at the end shows that he can be funny--but he's just so caught in his own delusion he can't see any other way than the path he chooses.

There is something so strangely soothing about the delivery of your film and television critiques. Your content is objectively one of the best on RU-vid. Keep up the great work : )

Great video. And you are right. Some people will do anything for a bit of attention, which is sad to see. And yes, to achieve your dream and goal you have to put in the effort, the action. You have to take the risk. Sitting on the couch and thinking about your dream won't bring you anything. There is a saying: God gives you, but he won't put it in your pocket.

OUTSTANDING video, bravo !!!!!! I'll never forget how disturbed I felt watching that film for the first time, such an underrated gem. And was very excited to see Robert De Niro in Joker... what a brilliant coup that was!!

Dude, your format and style is unlike any other videos I've come across. Absolutely love it.

I absolutely love how when you said “genuine talent” you showed Bo Burnham!

The Clash has a cameo in this movie, heckling Rupert on the NYC streets.

This is legitimately one of Marty’s most underrated movies. It’s a great look into celebrity culture

This is probably the best in-depth analysis of "The King of Comedy" I've seen so far on RU-vid.

I haven't seen the movie but your analysis of the general topic was just on point. it might be one of the best and relevant videos I've seen in a while. the fact that talent isn't enough, and the ability to suffer failure also is key to success. also the examination of the meaning of success and its actual worth. and bu burnham is a true gift to mankind.

The scariest aspect of this movie is that there is a sizeable audience for a Rupert Pupkin.

I love this channel. Always introducing new ideas.

I seriously look forward to every upload

Seems The Joker, draws a lot of parallels here, not to mention both sharing Deniro

Terrific film. It reminds me of Robert Frost’s quote (and I’m paraphrasing) that you must take the avenue less traveled in order to stand out. Like so many people pursuing success in the entertainment industry, they’re so afraid of failure because of how vulnerable they become when trying to exhibit their talents that they’re afraid of taking a risk. No risk, no reward.

Fabulous clip and commentary (as always- I love this channel). I see some correlation with Taxi Driver. Many of Scorseses movies are quite prophetic/sharp thinking and showing us the predicable. After Hours too.

You made a precise observation about comedians. They can not be in their head all the time, they need the ability to change their speaking based on the audience's feedback. Just an observation, it's a great video.

I saw it on HBO back in the mid 1980s. Really a good movie and a cautionary tale of how an amuck fan can become a stalker.

In depth analysis. Good job keep it up

I’m obsessed with this movie lol. Something about it is so uniquely unnerving and hilarious

Fine, I'll give it a like but there's no way I can be bothered to post a comment just to feed the algorithm.

Another great analysis as usual from you, sir. I'm not sure if you take suggestions, but I'd really love a video from you on Hugh Laurie, in particular, his performance as Dr. House. If you're ever looking for a new project, maybe this one would strike your fancy? Keep up the great work!

Great video as always!

Perfect video analysis of this movie

The ending of this film was fantastic. Never fails to haunt me.

I just really love that Pupkin messed up the last line. Perfection

On point analysis, as always.

Great analysis!

Very well done.

My favorite Robert D role mostly because of how much of a one off character type it was for him. He usually plays tough guys

I like Robert De Niro has played 2 of the most “Literally Me” characters on planet earth.

Nice video, my thanks

Now I know why "The King of Comedy" made me feel as I did about it. Thanks

just watched the film, it was truly great. well done analysis!

A great video about a great film!

Thank you

This is one i will definitely watch

This film is incredible

I can't watch this without 1st acknowledging how great and tragic this film is.

Never seen this. I may going to watch this. There are sooooon many people like this. Not comedy but acting and music. They think if someone famous sees them perform they'll be swooped away to Hollywood

I wish this movie would hit streaming

I haven't seen the movie yet, but now I have to. It seems really fascinating

As the always wise Patrick Star once said: “Hero worship is unhealthy. C’mon Jeffery.”

It was released in 1983. I remember first hand.

Would love for you to analyze The Knick with Clive Owen

Almost a paralel to Joker

De Niro is so damn flexible

It’s a great movie, the worst was when Jerry doesn’t want to talk to a woman’s daughter on a pay phone, she screams “I hope you get cancer” but this movie has aged really well And the themes are timeless and 8 year old me had no clue what was going on but I watched a ton of tv and this was always on HbO

I'm one of those musicians. Close but no cigar. Gained fame around here in cincinnati, which is col and had some interest here and there.

This movie is fantastic truly amazing.

King of Comedy is one of my favorite films that sadly doesnt get enough love or attention, I'll admit I never watched it until last year. Still. I always heard about it since the big hype for Joaquin Phoenix's first Joker movie. Anyway great themes at work here. It shows that being famous isnt always as it's cracked up to be. To be honest the only character I feel sorry for is Jerry. He is miserable dealing with psychotic fans of his like Marsha and Rupert, maybe even wishing he didnt aim to be famous at all. I loved the scene shots between reality and fantasy when it came to Rupert, it gives great insight into his character. Quite freaky knowing his mother isnt alive at all, he's been ranting in his apartment pretending his mother is alive. Also that whole basement shot like a studio set. Creepy

i discover this movie in my journrey to watch Martin Scorsesse biography. I believe that Taxi driver and The king of comedy are his finest artworks. .

Grossly underrated Scorsese movie.

one of dinero's top performances in his acting career

Its interesting that DeNiro played both the wannabe in this film and the made presenter in the Joker, mirroring the character of Jerry Lewis. Maybe that is what appealed to DeNiro to play the role of Murray Franklin

Great video, but I wish you talked about the fact that in the end, Rupert does succeed. And not just in a "king for a day" sense, as it's revealed at the end that after getting out of prison (serving not even half of his original sentence) he's looking at movie deals for his book and is a nationally well-known celebrity. I think the most disturbing part of this film isn't that people will actually go as far as Rupert does for fame, but that their reprehensible actions actually bring them the results they envisioned.

Dropping a comment so the algorithm can do its thing.

And Jerry Lewis playing himself!!!!❤❤❤❤and Sandra OMg.

Best movie !!

To get a glimpse of how deranged Rupert really is, let's look at the scene he records his act on tape for Jerry. First of all, he tells Marsha he lives in a hovel and can't pay his rent. But when we see him at home, not only it looks like a neatly designed TV set of some sorts, there's an upstairs from whence his mother shouts at him, so it can be inferred that he lives in his mother's basement that he arranged according to his taste. But then in his stand up he says his mother has been dead for a while. And we actually never see her, only hear her voice from upstairs. Kinda like Norman Bates' mother in Psycho, Rupert's mother lives in his head. And finally, when he "interacts" with his mother, next to the stairs are human size cardboard cut ups of celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe. Rupert's parents were both absent during his childhood and he probably had television as a surrogate parent, like Jim Carey's character in The Cable Guy. Finally, look at 8:46. In his fantasy, when he finally gets famous, the bookstore has Rupert's cardboard cut up. He's finally become like one of his idols. The light coming from upstairs is very unrealistic too, just like in a TV set. Also, notice the painting on the wall that leads upstairs : silver grey. And we indeed see the same painting on the very next shot, when he's pretending to be in front of an audience made of cardboard. The camera pulls back, and we see he's actually standing at the end of a long corridor, and the walls are silver grey. All these details suggest that Rupert is totally disconnected from reality, and nowhere is that more obvious than when he's alone with himself.

This was one of those acting jobs were I felt the actor was the character - despite RD’s credentials. Then again he did that with raging bull, taxi driver….

A cautionary tale of what not to do. Rupert's path is only for the kings of comedy not schmucks

Where can I stream this movie?

I sometimes wonder if Rupert even liked Jerry on any level or if Jerry was just a means to an end.

Today, Rupert Pupkin would have a big cringe TikTok comic.

can you analysis of bojack horseman

"Taxi Driver", "King of Comedy", "Bringing out the Dead" = Scorsese's best films.

The saddest thing about this film has nothing to do with any of the characters portrayed. The saddest thing is its commentary on the American obsession with fame and rewarding bad behaviour as Rupert is a success at the end when he should be driven out of show business altogether.

I always thought Rupert and Travis Bickle were two sides of the same coin, one being overtly dark, the other only seemingly light. The quote by Paul Zimmerman confirms my view, I guess. Also think of how both films end : they both achieve the fame they yearn for, but it's hinted that the "happy" endings are just fantasies.

never heard of this movie, but it reminds me alot of The Joker

One theory is that Rupert’s mum is actually dead, which just makes this movie even darker.

My own take on Rupert is far more pathetic. At first he seems like a struggling young comic but he isn’t. He’s larping a struggling young comic. It’s interesting that his mother is only heard but never seen. I believe that she’s dead and that there was so much conflict in their relationship that she even intrudes in on his fantasies though long dead. And the ending is ambiguous an even purposely unreal so we don’t know if it’s for real or another one of his fantasies.

one of the first films were i felt personally targeted, had to question if i was living in delusion at times

4:50

Wow. Perfect timing for our age. dTrmp is the King if Comedy in real time. Scorsese is such a great historian too. I 💕💕💕 your show!!! Love you from California ❤️❤️❤️

"King" along with "After Hours" show a much different side of Scorsese. Biting satire, and some really unhinged characters. Not always violent, but people caught up in events beyond their control. Your comment on social media's impact on this generation. A few years ago, when I was still teaching, I overheard two female students arguing about which reality show they would be on. This was their life goal. Now, we have these online "challenges" that seem to be more interested in outdoing each other in how stupid they can be.

its an absolutely perfect film and its somehow not Scorsese's best.

It’s even worse now days. With TikTok and RU-vid everyone thinks they should be famous. Sadly, these people actually think they are someone just because someone watches their dumb video. This movie just shows how delusional people can be. That includes those who think this is a good movie.

I loved Jerry Lewis in this film.

👍

again, i came here for writing insight. why do you just keep holding up mirrors for 13 minutes?

i like cars

I like to imagine this is who Travis became after the events of Taxi Driver.

the whole concept of fame is so diluted its not even something desirable anymore..

And I don't think he was unemployed because they showed him delivering things right?

Please, don't ever watch Don't **** With Cats if you haven't seen it. It's disturbing, sensationalist, & very hypocritical.

notice how he says Crowder is controversy....hmmmmm couldv went anywhere and with anyone with that snipit, but you went there. duly noted.

this movie is so relatable after watching this vid