The Comedian Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An aging comic punches a heckler, does community service, dates a younger woman, and still can’t get anyone to laugh at his Twitter jokes.

🍿 The Comedian: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Jackie Burke

Jackie Burke (Robert De Niro) is a veteran insult comic, famous for playing “Eddie” on a long-running sitcom. He struggles to escape the shadow of his iconic character and reinvent himself as a respected stand-up comedian. His abrasive style and refusal to cater to audience expectations often lead to clashes and professional setbacks.

Community Service and Meeting Harmony

After assaulting a heckler, Jackie is sentenced to community service, where he meets Harmony Schiltz (Leslie Mann). Harmony is dealing with her own issues and anger management problems. Their shared experiences and blunt personalities spark an unlikely connection, leading to a complicated and unconventional relationship. This section focuses on their development and the challenges they face together.

Navigating Relationships and Career

Jackie juggles his burgeoning relationship with Harmony, his strained relationship with his brother Jimmy (Danny DeVito), and the challenges of reviving his career. His agent, Miller (Edie Falco), tries to find him work, but Jackie’s volatile behavior makes it difficult. This period showcases Jackie’s attempts at self-improvement while grappling with his ingrained habits and the pressures of the entertainment industry.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jackie Burke (Robert De Niro): An aging, insult comic struggling to reinvent himself while battling his outdated television persona.
• Harmony Schiltz (Leslie Mann): A troubled woman who finds an unlikely connection with Jackie while completing community service.
• James Berkowitz (Danny DeVito): Jackie’s younger brother who provides support, despite the strain on their relationship.
• Miller (Edie Falco): Jackie’s long-suffering agent who attempts to salvage his career.
• Mac Schiltz (Harvey Keitel): Harmony’s wealthy and overbearing father who disapproves of her relationship with Jackie.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jackie Burke: “Hey, Arleeeeen!” – Jackie’s famous catchphrase from his old sitcom, which he is constantly trying to escape.
• Harmony Schiltz: “My dad used to love your TV show. We’ve watched every episode.” – Harmony says this when she first meets Jackie, highlighting his past fame and the show he’s known for.
• Jackie Burke: “(Improvising at the soup kitchen)” – Jackie entertains the homeless with an impromptu, ribald comedy routine as part of his community service.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,659,002
• Worldwide Gross: $1,659,002

💥 The Comedian Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a hilarious movie, but ‘The Comedian’ was more of a character study. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments, mostly from the supporting cast. I loved how it showed the struggle of an artist trying to stay relevant. The ending was bittersweet, and I left feeling like I understood the character’s journey, even if it wasn’t always pretty.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert De Niro”
  • “Viewers interested in dark comedies”
  • “People who enjoy movies about stand-up comedians”
  • “Those who appreciate unconventional love stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual references”
  • “Brief violence”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a talented cast, ‘The Comedian’ fails to deliver consistent laughs or a compelling narrative, leaving audiences wondering if the joke’s on them.
• Metacritic: “The Comedian’ is a misfire, wasting a stellar cast on a script that’s neither funny nor insightful. De Niro tries his best, but the material is simply not there.
• IMDb: “It might make you laugh if raunchiness and crudeness makes you laugh. It might make you think if character studies are your thing. Is it a great film? No, but it will get you laughing and pondering

Audience Reactions

De Niro’s performance as a grumpy, old-school comedian was spot-on.: Many found the movie to be a decent comedy with moments of humor.

Leslie Mann’s performance added a lot of warmth to what could have been a very dark movie.: The humor can be too crude at times for those sensitive to this style of comedy.

Overall Consensus: Mixed reviews, with some finding it funny and insightful, while others found it unfunny and offensive.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert De Niro had been trying to get this movie made for eight years, showing his dedication to the project.”
• “The film features numerous cameos from real-life comedians, adding a layer of authenticity to the world of stand-up comedy.”
• “Director Taylor Hackford aimed to explore the darker, more uncomfortable aspects of comedy and the life of a comedian.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Comedian?

As of October 2024, “The Comedian” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Comedian, you might like these similar films:

• The King of Comedy (1982): Both films explore the world of comedy and the psyche of a comedian, with De Niro in the lead role.
• Punchline (1988): Focuses on the struggles and ambitions of aspiring stand-up comedians, similar to the challenges faced by Jackie Burke.
• Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989): Deals with moral issues, life, comedy and drama and the effect each as on the other.

🛒 The Comedian Related Products

• Robert De Niro: A Life: Dive into the life and career of Robert De Niro, exploring his most iconic roles and the impact he’s had on cinema. This biography offers insights into his method acting and dedication to his craft.
• The King of Comedy (Criterion Collection): Own the critically acclaimed movie ‘The King of Comedy’ on Blu-ray, restored by Criterion. It is a sharp examination of fame and media culture, featuring a brilliant performance by Robert De Niro.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Taxi Driver – Travis Bickle: A vinyl figure of Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver is the perfect desk companion.
• Comedian Quote Poster: Decorate your space with an inspirational quote poster inspired by famous comedians. The poster features iconic sayings and imagery, perfect for comedy enthusiasts and aspiring comics.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Comedian features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Eddie’s Home” – performed by Gary Schreiner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Check out this hilarious short sketch! The over-the-top reactions are pure gold, and it’s a quick way to get your daily dose of laughter.

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Need a quick laugh? This stand-up bit is short, sweet, and guaranteed to make you chuckle. I love how he delivers the punchline!

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I can’t stop laughing at this comedy short! The exaggerated acting is so funny and relatable! You’ll definitely enjoy it.

✨ Rate