There is a lot of sadness in Jackie Burke's (Robert De Niro) life and unfortunately, due to the popularity of his iconic TV character Eddie, a Gleasonesque bus driver, seems destined to remain with him forever. But with the help of his long time, media savvy manager, Miller (Edie Falco) and an attractive fellow community service parolee, Harmony (Leslie Mann), Burke fights through this soul crushing wave of nostalgia and unknowingly lands in front of a younger, online audience who come to appreciate his comedic flair. It would be remiss not to acknowledge that De Niro can tell a joke as well as any comic in the business which in this case includes Billy Crystal (as himself), Brett Butler, Cloris Leachman, and Gilbert Gottfried. Harvey Keitel is excellently cast as Harmony's father, Mac Schiltz, since his own cinematic gangster credits are equal to De Niro's fabled, tough guy persona and the "old man" put downs he draws from Burke are full of venom. The two masks of comedy and tragedy may spoil this movie for popcorn- crunchers but they make it an excellent "date" movie and a joy for De Niro fans who have suffered through a lot of phoned in performances in the past.
Review of The Comedian
