The Comedian

The Comedian explores the dynamics of such unorthodox attraction with its heart in the right place, but for all of its performative charm, it still suffers the untimely misfortune of following an old, white man grousing about the state of affairs as the world diversifies around him.

The storyline does get frayed towards the end...but that’s not really the point; as long as you’re here for the dick jokes.

The laughs don’t add up. There’s no dramatic arc. Jackie doesn’t grow or learn from his downfall, so much as bumble his way out of it to an unsatisfying conclusion.

Even with a bona fide icon at its center, The Comedian doesn’t dig deep enough to add anything substantial to the subgenre.

The director, Taylor Hackford, never makes any of this pop, which isn’t a surprise given the material.

Robert De Niro is back doing standup in The Comedian, and it's a movie made to be heckled. Full of gross jokes (and an even grosser love story), it deserves the hook — and fast.

Why did Mr. De Niro do it, and why would anyone pay money to see it?

Robert De Niro plays a washed-up comedian who can't get past his TV hit's iconic role. He struggles with bag gigs, has a brief jail stint and meets a woman half his age (gotta hate that trite setup). The character is a shock/insult comic and his personality is abrasive and cruel, which makes him less than sympathetic. His bad attitude doesn't help. De Niro doesn't demonstrate any particular standup skill and never makes the character especially likable, He is surrounded by lots of cameos and spotting them is the most fun in the movie. Accomplished director Taylor Hackford has kept the interactions lively, but the writing doesn't add the depth or humor to make him or his plight enjoyable. Most of the comedy is more about wincing than laughing.

“The Comedian” stars Robert De Niro in the title role supported by Leslie Mann, Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Edie Falco and spot performances by Billy Crystal, Richard Belzer, Cloris Leachman and Charles Grodin. Written by Art Linson (with help from stand up comics Jeff Ross, Richard LaGravenes and Lewis Friedman) the film was directed by Taylor Hackford (‘The Devil’s Advocate”, “Ray”, “An Officer and a Gentlemen’). Unfortunately, with all of these fine participants, the film is a disappointment and leaves the viewer with a feeling that, somewhere, in all of this writing and acting, there is a good film that never quite made it to the screen. Mr. De Niro’s character is an aging once famous television star seeking a comeback as a standup comic. Instead, he becomes a coarse deliverer of smut and insult that makes his audiences (both on and off the screen) squirm in discomfort and, in comparison, makes Don Rickles look like Mother Teresa. Mr. De Niro, as always, radiates a likeable persona but even that wonderful trait cannot save the film from earning only a 5 rating. He, Mr. Hackford and the writers could have done much more with the seeds **** idea that never quite grew into a worthy flower of entertainment.

Trivia: De Niro has been trying to make this movie for 8 years. Why? Even the jokes (or the stand up comedy, if you like) are not that funny. I wonder what the originally draft of this movie was like with Sean Penn on board to direct. The thing that gave De Niro the desire to make this movie, however with his recent work, his decisions are becoming more questionable.

The worse movie I have seen in years. Comedy? Ummmm...I may have gaffawed once in the entire very long movie. I didn't think comedy could be so dumbed down. They replaced the spoken word with a series of F bombs. A grade 2 student could write a funnier script. Best of all ...the potty words which usually impresses 8 and 9 year olds is the funniest "unfunny" scene in the whole movie. Oh, by the way... Really impressive comedy routine delivered by a mere 8 year old child using more F bombs than a 60 year old truck driver could muster in a year. This movie was F***ing pathetic.

There was time I had to own every single movie he ever made. No more I can't stand him since his disgraceful comments made about our President. Perhaps his career is over now. He's moved into the role of communist Jane Fonda. I would't watch his movie if it was free on TV. He's not smart enough to actually think of The Hate Speech so someone in Communist-Land better known as Hollywood wrote it for him. This is what happens when your wife is friendly with the first lady. DeNiro is a COMMUNIST I wouldn't pay a penny to see his movie. He hasn't made a decent movie in nearly a decade. If your an actor then act and keep your mouth shut so you don't offend your fans.