20 Movies That Are Flawed Masterpieces

10. The King Of Comedy (1982)

Certainly one of Martin Scorsese' most misunderstood pictures, this dark "comedy" picture features what is without a doubt one of Robert De Niro's finest performances. The reason it has received less attention than Scorsese's other films, perhaps, stems from the fact that it is not a particularly "likeable" picture - not in the traditional sense, at least.

It is strange and seemingly tone confused, De Niro's character, Rupert Pupkin, is an out an out weirdo, and the satirical aspects were presumably lost on most audiences in 1982. After all, this is a Scorsese movie? On the surface, at least, it doesn't embrace much of what made the director famous throughout the '70s. And though there are some bumps in the road, there is arguably no better motion picture made in the '80s that better captures the fever of wanting to be famous, as De Niro's lost nobody sets out to be a famous comedian.

Yes, The King of Comedy leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but that's kind of the point.