The Comedian Poster
Comedy
Drama

The Comedian (2016) Review in 2025

6.5/10
Flop

The Comedian is a dark comedy-drama film that follows the life of a struggling stand-up comedian who gets into trouble after making a joke that offends a group of people. The movie explores themes of identity, relationships, and the struggles of making it big in the entertainment industry.

107 minutes
English (Dubbed: None)
Age group: 18-40, Interests: Comedy, Drama
Director:
Taylor Hackford
Budget: 10 million USD
Gross: 0.5 million USD

Family-Friendly Rating

Is this movie suitable for family viewing?

Not recommended for family viewing due to mature themes, strong language, and some violence.

CineReview Recommendation

This movie is worth watching for fans of dark comedy and drama. However, it's not suitable for family viewing due to mature themes and strong language.

Spoiler Alert!

Hover to reveal spoiler summary

The Comedian is a film about Jackie Burke, a washed-up comedian who gets into a physical altercation with a heckler at a comedy club. He gets banned from the club and is forced to move back to his hometown of New Jersey, where he reconnects with his estranged wife and tries to revive his career.

Review Details

story7.00/10

The story is engaging and explores themes of identity, relationships, and the struggles of making it big in the entertainment industry. However, the plot is a bit predictable and lacks originality.

acting9.00/10

The acting is superb, with standout performances from Robert De Niro and Leslie Mann.

characters8.00/10

The characters are well-developed and relatable. Robert De Niro delivers a standout performance as the struggling comedian Jackie Burke.

direction6.00/10

The direction is solid, but the pacing is a bit slow at times. The film could have benefited from a more energetic and dynamic editing style.

cinematography7.00/10

The cinematography is decent, but the film's color palette is a bit dull and lacks vibrancy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The Comedian has a standout performance from Robert De Niro, a engaging story, and explores themes of identity and relationships.

Cons

The plot is a bit predictable, the pacing is slow at times, and the cinematography lacks vibrancy.

Notable Quotes

"I'm not a comedian, I'm a joke."
"You're not funny, you're just annoying."

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