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    The Comedian

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

    When I bought my ticket for “The Comedian” I was optimistic but prepared to be disappointed. I sat through “Dirty Grandpa”. I named it #1 on my “Worst of 2016” list. I know that De Niro in a comedy this early in the year can mean trouble. I found myself pleasantly surprised.

    Jackie Burke (Robert De Niro) is an insult comic who is frequently forced to regurgitate the same sitcom material that made him a television star years ago. His career is reinvigorated when one of his rants goes viral.

    I think the film's got an interesting viewpoint on the world of stand-up comedy. At times I found myself thinking “Come on Jackie, just pander to your fans and do what they ask of you. Be the dancing monkey for once and swallow your pride so you can pay the bills. ” A few minutes later, I was thinking the exact opposite. I applauded him for not bending over, for standing his ground and wanting to grow as a performer. It feels very genuine in that not every single joke is gold, but many of them hit and the end result is frequently hilarious.

    We’ve seen plenty of movies that deal with comedians. This one has something new to add to the equation. A large portion of the film deals with the fact that Jackie’s career isn’t hot, not until he goes viral. It happens all the time in real life, but when was the last time you actually saw that phenomenon addressed in a film? I like that "The Comedian" is paying attention to what the real world is like.

    What surrounds the laughs is a lot of unnecessary romance sitcom-like relationship and family stuff that I wasn't too keen on. Sitting down now and reflecting on the film, there are also some jokes I’d go so far as to call lame. At nearly 2 hours, it’s also too long. I better end this review before I wind up talking myself out of liking the movie entirely. For the laughs and the sight of De Niro in a role that isn’t completely embarrassing, I think it's worth checking out."The Comedian" is not a great film; it's probably best enjoyed at home as a rental, but it has its moments. (theatrical version on the big screen, February 11, 2017)

    5
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    adamwatchesmovies@  18.2.2017 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

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