The King of Laughter (2022)
85%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: NA
The King of Laughter is a film that is both technically brilliant and thematically ambitious, exploring the life of Eduardo Scarpetta, a beloved Neapolitan actor and playwright. While the film commits to its driving conceit of Scarpetta’s wild personal life, it also manages to conjure up the atmosphere of the era with impeccable period detail. However, the dialogue can feel mannered at times, and Scarpetta’s actions can be so pompous and selfish that they become irritating. Nevertheless, the film is a dazzling feat, the work of an experienced and passionate director who manages to balance the comedic and dramatic elements of Scarpetta’s life with skill and nuance. Overall, The King of Laughter is a must-see for fans of biopic-comedies and period dramas alike.
The King of Laughter” is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and wonder how one man could be so dedicated to both theater and making babies out of wedlock. The director did an amazing job of bringing Eduardo Scarpetta’s life to the big screen, and the period details were spot on. Sure, Scarpetta’s actions could be a bit irritating at times, but that’s just part of his charm. Overall, this movie is a must-see for anyone who loves a good biopic-comedy and wants to learn more about the man who was truly the king of laughter.
Production Company(ies)
6th & Idaho, DUST, Stampede Ventures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Warner Bros.
Distributor
Film Movement
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:2h 13m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2022
Genre(s)
Biography/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Toni Servillo, Maria Nazionale, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Antonia Truppo, Eduardo Scarpetta, Roberto De Francesco, directed by Mario Martone, written by Mario Martone, Ippolita Di Majo, genre: Biography, Drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anna Smith, Lovia Gyarkye, Guy Lodge, Filipe Freitas, produced by Film Movement, MPAA rating, Italian language, Eduardo Scarpetta, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Naples, parody, legal troubles, familial strife, legacy, theater
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Maria Nazionale – Rosina Anselmi
Cristiana Dell’Anna – Luisa Scarpetta
Antonia Truppo – Emma Grammatica
Roberto De Francesco – Peppino De Filippo
Director – Mario Martone
Writers – Mario Martone, Ippolita Di Majo
Distributor – Film Movement
Director(s)
Mario Martone
Writer(s)
Mario Martone, Ippolita Di Majo, Mario Martone, Ippolita Di Majo
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (5) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (1)
Figuring out the exact nature of all their relationships has a certain fascination, but it’s not exactly entertaining. The dialogue feels mannered and Scarpetta’s actions are so selfish and pompous they become irritating.
September 13, 2021
Anna Smith
Deadline Hollywood Daily
TOP CRITIC
It’s a dazzling and technically brilliant feat, the work of an ambitious, experienced and passionate director.
September 10, 2021
Lovia Gyarkye
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Commits without compromise to its driving conceit: that Scarpetta’s personal life was as wildly expressive and uninhibited as his stage presence, to the extent that they’re not all that differently presented on-screen.
September 10, 2021
Guy Lodge
Variety
TOP CRITIC
… an upbeat biopic-comedy centered on the beloved Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta, whose dedication to theater and illegitimate procreation were remarkably consistent.
June 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies
An impeccably made period drama superbly conjures up the atmosphere of the era.
January 30, 2022
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia…
Plot
In “The King of Laughter,” Eduardo Scarpetta risks everything to stage a parody of the great Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, fighting for his legacy as one of the greats of Italian theater despite legal troubles and familial strife.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Toni Servillo plays the role of Eduardo Scarpetta in The King of Laughter.
Mario-Martone.jpg
