The Comedian

The Comedian has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available on Hoopla. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 170 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Robert De Niro leads a cast with real comic timing. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Hoopla.

The Comedian is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Comedian from the crowd. An aging comic icon, Jackie Burke, has seen better days. Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Already a strain on his younger brother and his wife, Jackie is forced to serve out a sentence doing community service for accosting an audience member. Robert De Niro and Leslie Mann lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2016. The timing in The Comedian is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Comedian respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Robert De Niro's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.