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Through the years, Martin Scorsese’s 1982 filmThe King of Comedyhas managed to remain an impactful satire of fame, celebrity obsession, and media culture. The film starred the iconic Robert De Niro as Rupert Pupkin, a delusional and obsessive aspiring comedian who kidnaps a late-night TV host, played by Jerry Lewis, in a desperate bid for fame. Although it was not a major box-office success upon release, the film has since grown in stature.
With its biting social commentary, the film has become way more relevant in today’s media-saturated world. However, almost a decade ago, Scorsese opened up about the movie’s lasting relevance, which had people wondering if he might have taken a swipe at the former president, Donald Trump.
Martin Scorsese discusses the relevance of The King of Comedy in today’s society
At its core,Martin Scorsese’sThe King of Comedyis a dark satire about the dangers of fame obsession.Robert De Niro’scharacter, Rupert Pupkin may not have been a particularly funny or talented individual. However, his relentless pursuit of fame made him an embodiment of blind ambition. Although it may have seemed a little far-fetched and was even considereda flopwhen the film was released, the narrative seems more in tune with today’s society. In an interview withVanity Fair, the director revealed whether he thought the character could find success in this day and age.
I don’t see how. And why should he be? There are so many Ruperts around us. There’s so much dilution, and democratizing of what quality is, for better or for worse.
Scorsese stuck up for his character’s brashness. After all, viewers have been tuning in to watch spectacles unfold, regardless of how outrageous or damaging they may be. This cultural fascination with fame at any cost bears a striking similarity toDonald Trump’sown rise to fame in the public eye. Although the director did not explicitly link his film to the former president, the parallel between him and the character has been rather noticeable.
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After all, with Trump recently calling himself“a rating machine,”he seems to have a lot in common with the iconic yet rather questionable Pupkin.
The similarities between Donald Trump and Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy
In the context of Donald Trump, the parallels between Martin Scorsese’sThe King of Comedyand his approach to fame and power are pretty difficult to ignore. In fact, the businessman’s early career as a real estate magnate turned television personality showcased his ability to manipulate the media (via theSeattle Times) and public perception.
Even his run for President wound up amplifying this, with his brash, often shocking remarks dominating various tabloids. Much like Pupkin, Trump demonstrated that public attention, whether it is positive or negative could just end up translating into success.
For Trump, his role as a reality TV star onThe Apprenticeallowed him to cultivate a larger-than-life persona, much like Pupkin’s belief that any kind of exposure would make him a star. Both the 87-year-old and the character leverage media spectacle to their advantage, using controversy and audacity to keep the public and media focused on them.
While Scorsese’s character chose to kidnap a talk show host to secure his time in the spotlight, the former president of the US worked hard to push a different narrative during his indictment earlier this year and still is (ViaNew York Post).
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Finally, both Trump and Pupkin reflect a deeper cultural obsession with fame as an end goal in itself, regardless of talent or merit. InThe King of Comedy, Pupkin’s delusions of grandeur showcase a dangerous societal shift where being famous is more important than being skilled. Trump’s career and eventual rise to the presidency seemingly mirror this notion, where his brand of fame, built on spectacle and controversy, took precedence over political experience or expertise.
Stream Martin Scorsese’sThe King of Comedyon Amazon Prime Video.
Prathika Prashant
Articles Published :192
With over three years of experience in the field of writing, and a knack for storytelling, she dives into the pop culture world to provide fans with insightful updates and engaging narratives worldwide. Her articles add a dash of insightful commentary and a captivating narrative to ensure that readers get the whole story. When she is not working, you can find her browsing new music or going down a rabbit hole of old timey sitcoms and more.
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