The King of Comedy

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In class we discussed the 1983 film The King of Comedy, directed by Martin Scorsese. Its a black comedy film which starred Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, and Sandra Bernhard. We learned that the film was just remastered for a DVD release. The idea of the film came about when Scorsese was done with Raging Bull, he wanted his next project to be The Last Temptation of Christ and wanted De Niro to play Jesus. De Niro was not interested and wanted their next collaboration to be a comedy. Scorsese mentioned how difficult it was to have directed a comedy but he got the shape of it when he started to watching Jerry Lewis stand up and Scorsese would ask Jerry any question he had regarding of comedy. We also see a difference in character play with Robert De Niro. De Niro is known for playing role models. That was not the case for this film. He played someone no one in their right mind would want to be. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content. 

The article I found was on fun facts within the film that are really interesting. The film was Scorsese second to worst box office film when it came out to overall revenue. It only brought in 2.5 million dollars but compare to its 19 million dollar budget, the film was look at as a flop. Also the idea of a possibility of having a new director? Milos Forman was originally interested in directing the script, but soon withdrew from the offer after being hired to direct “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, starring Jack Nicholson.  Many people question whether or not the film would have turned out better if Forman was in charge of the whole operation. Plus, Scorsese had many of his family members in his film. From his mother, daughter, and even his father was all bit parts in the film. Did you also know that a Oscar winning actress was cut from the film. Liza Minnelli was cut from film during editing but was still billed in the credits for playing herself. 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class. 
           This article relates to Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy” in many different ways. The film bombing at the box office could be due to many reasons. One you had a director, Scorsese who was not comfortable with comedy. He was not know for comedy. You had Robert De Niro who also was not known as a funny guy actor, playing a comedy role no one saw him playing. Plus, how much do you think it was to have Oscar winner Liza Minnelli in your film. A lot of money, she was a hot ticket Hollywood at the time. WHY! Why would you cut her out of movie that already didn't have the right cast or team glued to it. She has box office draw. Sandra Bernhand was not a well known star either, no matter how great her performance was she didn't have the box office draw this film needed to make ends meat. 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.
      

After seeing The King of Comedy, I was pretty shocked that I really liked the movie. I myself am not a fan of dark or black comedy but I felt that movie had a wonderful plot, a plot you can really get behind and really sit at the edge of your seat, waiting for what was next. A round of applause should really be given to Robert De Niro and Sandra Bernhand. The acting and timing was just really superb from both parties and the chemistry in the kidnapping scene were hilarious. Someone that really enjoys stand up, the writing and thoughts and movement that went in to the final monologue by De Niro were just on point for what stand up personnel do. I would really tell people about this movie because Scorsese ability to go from a dramatic sports film to a kidnapping timing media film.  

http://www.fast-rewind.com/trivia_kingofcomedy.htm

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 CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) (x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
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 3) (x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
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6) (x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.
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 Name: _Antonio Amorim______ Date: ________2/5/2015 _________