The Comedian

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens February 3, 2017

Runs 119 minutes

Robert DeNiro is Jackie Burke, an aging insult comic trying to stay relevant and maintain his shaky career. When he is sent to prison for punching a heckler with his microphone, his career actually starts to pick up - he has gone viral. After prison, he meets Harmony Schiltz (Leslie Mann) in court-ordered community service. She has issues, including Daddy issues and she finds Jackie funny. They hang out for a while until Harmony's Dad (Harvey Keitel) has her community service transferred to Florida and she heads to the sunshine state. When he finally tracks her down, he finds out that she had more than one reason for hiding out in Florida. Will they be able to work out their issues or go their separate ways?

With a very good cast including Edie Falco (in a thankless role), Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone and cameos by Jimmy Walker, Billy Crystal, Cloris Leachman and Charles Grodin, you would think this would be a decent movie. But, it is below average. It is so mean and the comedy is so dark and vulgar that is is not very enjoyable. Leslie Mann is the best part of the film. She is cute and funny. She needs to make more movies. Robert DeNiro is not a great stand-up comedian. This is a low point in his film career. If you just have to see it, at least save your money and go to the matinee. Otherwise, skip it and wait until it is on late night cable.

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