The King of Laughter
Naples, 1904: Italian theatre is thriving, and comic actor, Eduardo Scarpetta is the box office king. Known in the Neapolitan theater for his cheeky alter egos, Scarpetta’s larger-than-life stage productions were matched only by his eccentric personal life. Composed of wives, partners, lovers, legitimate and illegitimate children (including a young Eduardo De Filippo, famed Neapolitan playwright), Scarpetta’s home situation resembled one of his comedies more than a traditional family. At the height of his popularity, the comedian risked everything by staging a parody of the great Italian poet, Gabriele D’Annunzio. Booed and hissed from the stage by younger rivals, Scarpetta was sued for plagiarism, leading to the first ever copyright lawsuit in Italy. Despite legal troubles and familial strife, Scarpetta fought not only for his craft but for his legacy as one of the great thespians of Italian theater.
"This is perhaps the most expensive period piece ever, or at least it feels that way. The film is stunning with its authentic sets, costumes, music, make-up, hair styles, and cinematography. Martone has crafted an experience that is arguably more obsessive than Baz Lurhman’s Moulin Rouge or any film in Scorcese’s repertoire. There is no film in the history of cinema as decadent as this, and perhaps that’s a good thing, because while it deserves a place in cinematic history, the film feels so rich that by the end we have gorged ourselves into a stupor. Highly Recommended." - The Sound View
"Despite dramatic and sometimes sad moments in the film, the overwhelming story of Scarpetta’s comedic talent makes this a drama that ends with a smile...The King of Laughter is suitable for biographies (of artists such as playwrights and actors), comedies, or international films. Highly recommended." - Video Librarian
"The King of Laughter will certainly be of interest to scholars and aficionados of Italian theater, literature, and film. Recommended." - EMRO
Cast
- Toni Servillo
- Maria Nazionale
- Cristiana Dell'Anna
- Antonia Truppo
- Eduardo Scarpetta
DVD Features
Bonus Short Film:
La Smorfia
Directed by Emanuele Palamara
Italy
Italian with English subtitles
14 minutes
Carmine, a popular Neapolitan singer, is left disfigured and confined to a wheelchair after a tragic accident. He longs to return to the stage, but when his doting sister stands in the way he devises a treacherous plan.
Discs: 1
- "The King of Laughter is a feast of a film.... It’s a dazzling and technically brilliant feat, the work of an ambitious, experienced and passionate director. "
- "The King of Laughter avails itself of a classic set-up but benefits from the lightness of comedy. It won’t disappoint those expecting a paradigmatic story about art, power, betrayal and passion, not least for the high-quality actors in its cast, the musicality of the Neapolitan dialect (which sounds as if it were made to be recited), the sumptuous set design offered up by Giancarlo Muselli and Carlo Rescigno, the costumes created by Ursula Patzak, the amber hues applied by Swiss master Renato Berta and the beautiful songs of the era."
- "The King of Laughter is an impeccably made period drama superbly conjures up the atmosphere of the era. Indeed, the craft on show is extremely impressive. As is Servillo’s majestic central performance. Events and players all revolve round his magnetic presence. In many ways, Scarpetta’s life was more extraordinary than any play, spawning a theatrical dynasty and leaving a lasting legacy. Mario Martone’s film manages to capture this in all its glory. "
- "Mario Martone’s big, brash, garishly frosted celebration cake of a biopic....Everyone involved seems to be having the very best of times, tumbling onto screen with the breathless energy of a community theater crew given a very generous spotlight."
- "Teeming with staging lucidity, a dynamic pace and some intentional excess, this is a tasty portraiture of the theater buff whose clownish acting is taken to a hilarious effect during a memorable court session. A spikily funny watch."
- "A riotously comic and yet touching historical drama from Italy’s Mario Martone.... With its lovingly crafted re-creation of the Belle Époque theatrical scene and its richly drawn character portrait of a man coming to face his own limitations, The King of Laughter channels the riotous energy of the theater with an outsize love for its characters and themes."
- "Servillo carries every scene he’s in, and if the real life Scarpetta is anything like what they show on the screen, audiences will feel like they know the man well. It’s an energetic, and raw performance that may very well earn him award considerations next year."
- "The turn-of-the-century city streets are breathtaking, the Neapolitan theater is ornate, and the performances are top-notch across the board. Servello gives a brilliant yet nuanced performance. His emotional range is astounding, considering he’s playing an almost Charlie Chaplin-like character...."
Gallery
Awards & Recognition
Maria and Tommaso Maglione Italian Filmmaker Award
Denver Film Festival
Golden Lion
Venice Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Open Roads New Italian Cinema Film Festival
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