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The Comedian

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for The Comedian R 2017 2h 0m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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24% Tomatometer 112 Reviews 28% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Jackie Burke, an aging comic icon, has seen better days. Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Already a strain on his younger brother and his wife, Jackie is forced to serve out a sentence doing community service for accosting an audience member. While there, he meets Harmony, the daughter of a sleazy Florida real estate mogul, and the two find inspiration in each other.
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The Comedian

The Comedian

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Critics Consensus

The Comedian boasts an incredibly talented cast, but they're put to poor use in an aimless rom-com whose handful of memorable moments never add up to a compelling story.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire 02/17/2017
Hackford's never been much good at pacing, and the film sort of sloshes from one scene to the next, which calls greater attention to its considerable flab - it's full of full scenes and subplots that could disappear without any real damage. Go to Full Review David Sims The Atlantic 02/09/2017
A fetid, overlong drama laden with bizarre subplots and an inexplicably star-studded supporting cast, built around the dated idea that standup comedians can, indeed, be jerks. Go to Full Review Richard Brody The New Yorker 02/06/2017
The plot is forced and flimsy, the characters are thinly conceived, and the comic writing is often cringeworthy. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/17/2021
3/4
The Comedian benefits from the nice rapport between De Niro and Mann, the contributions of a knockout supporting cast, and hard-edged humor that isn't afraid to go for the low blow. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 03/04/2021
2/5
Promises much but doesn't deliver and in comedy delivery is everything. Go to Full Review Steven Prokopy Third Coast Review 05/01/2020
It plays it safe and the end results are astonishingly mediocre. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Melissa L @Agent99 Nov 26 This movie was was so foul, I turned it off within the few 15 minutes. See more Tony S Aug 4 Who knew that De Niro could play an insult comic who does blue humor? This is a much different De Niro than the gangster movies. Not a family movie, but there's a credible plot with a great cast. See more Jesse C Jul 27 With the cast this movie has it should be a classic, but the main character is completely unlikeable, his "comedy" is tone deaf and lousy. The pace is way off. I couldn't make it through it. Damn. See more Linda G Jul 21 Love any movie DeNiro is in. Entertaining with some well known actors. See more Blu B 11/04/2024 It's not the worst comedy in the world and compared to Dirty Grandpa that came out same year, this is Some Like it Hot quality compared to that. But it's not good. The music is pretty boring and forgettable with the same jazz track used most of the time and everything else about it is subpar. It looks cheap, the direction is really basic, there isn't much in the way of visual gags either. DeNiro honestly though isn't bad here and probably the best thing in this. His standup delivery is actually pretty good honestly which makes sense given he has done several classic comedies over the decades. The biggest problems I can point too besides lacking visual flare is everyone in the supporting cast isn't as funny, very forgettable, or not that likeable, and it feels after he goes to jail it feels like stuff just happens. The romance, the troubles he has with other people, his career, all feel like they just don't add up to much. It feels like this is trying to be a romcom mixed with a Lenny Bruce like character study and it just can't make the two work together in a cohesive meaningful way. The toilet jokes with the seniors also was the worst part and is so bottom of the barrel it's ridiculous. It does recover though somewhat. This also doesn't need to be pushing near hours either. Skip This. It's not that funny or that interesting. See more Kelly H 08/01/2024 Director taylor hatford should have told Deniro , just play it out like taxi driver , but with bad jokes See more Read all reviews
The Comedian

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Cast & Crew

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Robert De Niro

Jackie Burke

Leslie Mann

Harmony Schutz

Danny DeVito

Jimmy Berkowitz

Edie Falco

Miller

Harvey Keitel

Mac

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The Comedian

The Comedian: Trailer 1 The Comedian: Trailer 1 2:31 View more videos
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The Comedian

The Comedian (2016) The Comedian (2016) (L-R) Robert De Niro as Jackie Burke and Leslie Mann as Harmony Schiltz in "The Comedian." (L-R) Robert De Niro as Jackie Burke and Leslie Mann as Harmony Schiltz in "The Comedian." Robert De Niro as Jackie Burke in "The Comedian." Robert De Niro as Jackie Burke in "The Comedian." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jackie Burke, an aging comic icon, has seen better days. Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Already a strain on his younger brother and his wife, Jackie is forced to serve out a sentence doing community service for accosting an audience member. While there, he meets Harmony, the daughter of a sleazy Florida real estate mogul, and the two find inspiration in each other.
Director
Taylor Hackford
Producer
Art Linson, John Linson, Mark Canton, Courtney Solomon, Taylor Hackford
Screenwriter
Art Linson, Jeff Ross, Richard LaGravenese, Lewis Friedman
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Atmosphere Entertainment MM LLC, Sony Pictures Classics, Imaginary Forces, Anvil Films
Rating
R (Language Throughout|Crude Sexual References)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 3, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
2h 0m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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