Watch The Comedian

The Comedian is a 2016 American comedy-drama movie directed by Taylor Hackford from a screenplay written by Art Linson, Jeffrey Ross, Richard LaGravenese, and Lewis Friedman. The movie stars Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Harvey Keitel, and Edie Falco in lead roles. The movie tells the story of a washed-up comedian Jackie Burke (Robert De Niro) who was once famous for his role in a popular sitcom of the 1980s. Jackie has now become a has-been comedian, trying to find his feet in the world of stand-up comedy. He still performs at comedy clubs and small venues, hoping to make a comeback that never seems to happen.

As he tries to revitalize his career, Jackie finds a ray of hope in Harmony (Leslie Mann), a woman he meets while performing at a soup kitchen. Together, they explore the possibilities of friendship and romance, leading Jackie to confront some of the underlying issues that have kept him from success.

However, Jackie's past mistakes come back to haunt him when he gets into a physical altercation with an audience member, which goes viral on social media. This leads to Jackie being sentenced to community service, where he meets a fiery woman named Mary (Edie Falco) who he has to work with. Meanwhile, his agent (Danny DeVito) is trying to keep him relevant by booking gigs, but Jackie’s free-wheeling, take-no-prisoners style is not wanted by the network executives.

As Jackie struggles to further his career, he also stands up for what he believes in, trying to make audiences laugh with his unique brand of humor. However, Jackie's attempts to be edgy and push the boundaries of comedy often lead to him causing controversies that threaten to derail his already slim chances of success.

The Comedian is a poignant look at the life of a man who is trying to rediscover himself and reclaim his glory days. Robert De Niro delivers a standout performance as the titular character - a man who is talented but lacks direction. Leslie Mann is a perfect match for De Niro's character, playing the role of Harmony with charm and grace.

The film features numerous cameos from real-life comedians, including Jim Norton, Gilbert Gottfried, Hannibal Buress, and many others. Their presence adds depth and authenticity to the movie's portrayal of the stand-up comedy world.

The Comedian also explores the concept of political correctness in comedy, as Jackie tries to toe the line between being edgy and being offensive. The movie takes a nuanced approach to the discussion, showing that comedy can still be funny without being insensitive, but that there is a fine line between the two.

The movie's themes of self-discovery, second chances, and redemption are explored with a deft touch by director Taylor Hackford, and the screenplay by Linson, Ross, LaGravenese, and Friedman is engaging and humorous throughout.

The Comedian is also visually stunning, with cinematography by Oliver Stapleton that captures the grit and glamour of New York City. The movie's soundtrack, which features classic rock songs from the likes of AC/DC, Guns n’ Roses, and David Bowie, further adds to the film's energy and cohesiveness.

Overall, The Comedian is a must-watch movie for fans of Robert De Niro and anyone who loves a good comedy. It’s a movie that shows that even in the darkest of times, it’s possible to find laughter and redemption. The film is filled with humor, pathos, and heart, and is a reminder of why De Niro and his co-stars are some of the best actors of their generation.

The Comedian is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 40.