I had no idea Martin Scorsese directed comedy films, but this was just that. And with yet another one of the famous team-ups with the legendary Robert de Niro, who I don’t imagine outside of his gangster roles. But he does just that here, showing his incredible versatility. Comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert de Niro) becomes frustrated by a failing career and runs into his comedian idol Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). Langford also is a talk-show host, so Pupkin thinks Langford is his ticket to stardom. However, he soon learns that Langford doesn’t find him funny or even provide an opportunity to prove himself. In his obsessed rage, Pupkin attempts to draw attention through extracurricular activities, including stalking Langford. He tries to strong-arm Langford into giving him a spot on the show, but Langford rejects him as unproven. Once that fails, Pupkin takes things to the next level.

I didn’t like this movie at the beginning, but I was surprised from the midway point. The cinematography, writing, directing, and atmosphere kept you engrossed. De Niro gave a sensational performance, but he is one of the ten greatest actors ever for a reason. You can’t be near the top of the acting G.O.A.T list without doing this repeatedly and in different genre roles. I see many character similarities between Pupkin, Bickle in Scorsese’s ‘Taxi Driver’, and later Joker in ‘Joker’. Jerry Lewis was also very good at a role where he essentially plays himself as a stand-up comedian trying to deal with a raving lunatic. The acting, outside of that from Niro and Lewis, was average. Scorsese does an excellent job of making the intense moments uncomfortable (and funny in a dark manner). The humor was disturbing and not something that would leave you will bellyaching laughter. It’s still funny watching Pupkin make an absolute fool of himself through his idiocy and lack of self-awareness.

Would I recommend it? Probably not a must-watch film, but I felt it was decent. I believe it holds up well 40 years later because fame and stardom are something people chase, often to the levels of manic obsession. It will never change, and this is one snapshot of such obsession with fame.