By GABRIELLA AYRES | Reporter
Hollywood legacy Robert De Niro is taking another dip into debauchery with this month’s “The Comedian”— a late-night romp stuffed with profanities so lewd that they’d make even a certain sitting president squirm.
The film follows Jackie Burke, an aging stand-up comic, who is struggling to shake off the former television role that earned him his notoriety. Burke—who doesn’t seem far off from the cantankerous character De Niro played in last year’s “Dirty Grandpa”—is a sardonic senior who has difficulty suppressing his surliness.
After assaulting a heckling audience member at a TV nostalgia night, Burke is sentenced to work community service hours in a local soup kitchen, where he meets Harmony Shiltz, the sometimes-pugnacious daughter of a corrupt Florida real estate tycoon. Played by former Palisadian Leslie Mann, Harmony finds a kindred spirit in Jackie—a dynamic that is age-inappropriate, yet—at times—oddly touching.
Supporting castmates Danny DeVito, Harvey Keitel and Patti LuPone bring normalcy to this film’s 112 minutes of jibe—which is, for these industry talents, roles that feel underutilized at best.
As with any of De Niro’s previous roles, the cinematic chameleon excels at embodying any character thrown his way—although, this is not to say that all characters are worth portraying. But, don’t take our word for it—go see for yourself.
“The Comedian” is scheduled for wide-release on Feb. 3.
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