Joe Pesci = Jesus (Christ Superstar)? Chad’s Exhibit A: THE SUPER, a friggin’ gem

By Chad Jarrah

If one were to gather a group of friends to compare opinions on great comedies, the only constant would be that opinions vary. I’m sure a few staple comedies would probably be included on most lists, like Old School and Tommy Boy, Animal House and Caddyshack but, otherwise, everybody has their own preferences. A friend of mine happens to think that The Jerk is the greatest comedy of all time. Quite frankly, it does nothing more than annoy me. Alternately, my list would include a few picks that may draw a questioning eye. One movie that would definitely make my list, and I feel frequently receives too little credit, is Joe Pesci’s 1991 comedy, The Super.

Pesci tells Bobby he’s “doing a pikcher in which I interact with black youts.” His moled friend’s entire career is eclipsed in a matter of a sentence fragment.

The movie is about the son of a slum lord, Louie Kritski Jr. played by Joe Pesci, who inherits one of his father’s buildings. Due to the son’s lack of concern for the welfare and physical safety of his tenants, he is sentenced to live in his own dilapidated building until the necessary building repairs are made. The premise is decent, but honestly, it means nothing without Joe Pesci. Seeing him move the way no human should ever move had me cracking up from start to finish. For those willing to trust my judgment and brave The Super, here are a few highlights one should look for:

- Within 15 minutes Pesci has a full body spasm on a treadmill. A hunched over and unhealthy looking Kritski takes quick baby steps on a treadmill going a couple speed levels too fast. I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw it and if anyone gets up to this point in the movie, there’ll be no turning back. Although comical, Pesci and fitness equipment go together like hot dogs and hot fudge.

- Kritski’s attempt at kicking game. As he tries to woo the attorney who prosecuted him, he claims that his great body attracts women ‘like a magnet to a refrigerator.’ He also asks the same attorney out for lunch moments later: ‘I still want to take you to lunch.’ After she denies his request, the ever-resilient Kritski responds: ‘Alright, forget lunch, we’ll just hump.’ So smooth.

More like Handjob for your Heart Double Feature!!

- The entire basketball scene. Kritski is asked to play basketball by one of his tenants and what ensues is nothing short of beautiful. Kritski’s outfit, the body language he uses to ask for the ball, the way he bumbles through the pickup games, and even his unlikely dunk; all of it is physical comedy at its best. (Nota bene: one of the neighborhood kids calls Kritski a scrub at the end of the game. I coughed grilled cheese all over myself laughing. This word is not used nearly enough and should resurrect itself from the depths of 90’s vernacular.)

- The entire dancing scene. Joe Pesci dances…I think. Again, Kritski hunches over, performing a lot of moves that involve air punching. Paired with his pseudo-tap steps and painful facial expressions, this dance scene is one for the ages. I loved it and could watch it over and over again.

In the end, Louis Kritski empathizes with the plight of his downtrodden tenants and makes the necessary repairs to his building, in spite of his father’s disapproval. This should matter, but it doesn’t. What matters is that Joe Pesci’s physical comedy is a pure delight. Think Joe Pesci is incapable of physical comedy? Think again scrubs, and watch The Super. Who knows? Maybe you’ll enjoy it over a few fudge covered hot dogs.

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