1982: The King of Comedy

Set in contemporary New York, this Martin Scorsese-directed movie, stars Robert de Niro as a chronic loser who is driven to violence by his inability to adjust to the social world around him, but is ultimately not punished for it. - Yeah, it sounds like Taxi Driver, but the synopsis applies equally to The King of Comedy, which must be described as its companion piece, though in terms of aesthetics the latter film is not in the same league as the former. What's worse, while Taxi Driver makes the audience oscillate between a lack of comprehension of and pity with Travis Bickle, The King of Comedy invites scorn for the insufferable wannabe comedian Rupert Pupkin, thus forcing the audience to display one of their lesser characteristics: the tendency to look down on losers. (unrated)