The Comedian
An aging comedy star battles typecasting, public humiliation, and his own abrasive persona while seeking a second act onstage and off.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- sardonic
- abrasive
- melancholic
- adult comedy night
- robert de niro double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the talented cast could not overcome an aimless, underdeveloped comedy-drama with only occasional memorable moments.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jackie is recognized primarily through the television character he played earlier, limiting his attempt to reinvent his comedy.
Jackie's stand-up and public behavior repeatedly rely on abrasive insults, including the incident that leads to community service.
Jackie's professional conflict concerns remaining visible and creatively independent while audiences and industry figures prefer his familiar past persona.
Jackie meets Harmony while completing court-ordered community service, making their connection emerge from obligation and friction.
Films like The Comedian, and why
Birdman
aging performer, abrasive humor, show-business identity crisis, and bittersweet character comedy
The Meyerowitz Stories
dark comedy about a difficult older man whose public persona conflicts with private relationships
The King of Comedy
show-business satire, celebrity performance, and uncomfortable comic behavior
Enough Said
adult romantic dramedy centered on damaged personalities, awkward encounters, and emotional reinvention
Movie Details
- Director
- Taylor Hackford
- Release Date
- 2016-12-09
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (175)
Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Leslie Mann
- Danny DeVito
- Edie Falco
- Harvey Keitel
- Charles Grodin
- Patti LuPone
- Cloris Leachman
- Veronica Ferres
- Lois Smith
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Comedian about?
- An aging comedy star battles typecasting, public humiliation, and his own abrasive persona while seeking a second act onstage and off.
- What is The Comedian like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Comedian as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Comedian violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Comedian as mild.
- What did critics think of The Comedian?
- Critics broadly agreed that the talented cast could not overcome an aimless, underdeveloped comedy-drama with only occasional memorable moments.
- Which films are like The Comedian?
- Films with a similar feel include Birdman, The Meyerowitz Stories, The King of Comedy, and Enough Said.
- How long is The Comedian?
- The Comedian runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Comedian?
- In United States, The Comedian is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
