By Michael Lyons
“Reality, what a concept”. So said Robin Williams, one of the world’s greatest comedy minds.
Over the past few weeks, and most definitely, the past few days, we’ve seen such truth in that.
The world has definitely gotten real, becoming a different, scary, sad and unnerving place, in which our lives have changed like never before.
As we stay in touch with the latest news, stay safe and watch out for each other, it may be worthwhile to take a break from all of this reality and celebrate the power of pure laughter with some of Hollywood’s greatest comedy films.
In no particular order, other than alphabetical, here they are:
“Airplane!” (1980). It’s been forty years since the Zucker Brothers re-defined comedy with this parody of...well...everything. The laughs both in dialogue and in sight gags come fast and from every corner of the screen. They’re even delivered by some of Hollywood’s most serious actors. If you seriously haven’t seen it in a while, well, all that can be said is “Shirley, you can’t be serious?”
“Annie Hall” (1977). “I thought of that old joke. This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, 'Doc, my brother's crazy. He thinks he's a chicken.' The doctor says, 'Why don't you turn him in?' The guy says, 'I would, but I need the eggs.' Well, I guess that's, now, how I feel about relationships. They're totally irrational, crazy and absurd. But I guess we keep going through it because most of us need the eggs.”
How can you not laugh at lines like that in Woody Allen’s funnest film. Hysterical and poignant. Watch this romantic comedy, if you haven’t seen it in a while, you need the eggs.
“The Birdcage” (1996). Director Mike Nichol’s adaptation of the classic French comedy “La Cage Aux Folles,” is like a comedic Russian nesting doll: each time you watch it, you can find something even funnier about it.
Plus, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Diane West, Hank Azeria and Gene Hackman in one movie, together? C’mon!
“Blazing Saddles” (1974). No list of the best comedy films would be complete without something from Mel Brooks. It’s hard to pick Mel’s best, but his parody of Westerns (which created the blueprint for an entire generation of movie parodies) is hard to argue with as his pinnacle. Crude, rude, politically incorrect and absolutely hysterical. Plus...that campfire scene...
“Bridesmaids” (2011). A modern-day comedy classic. Star and writer Kristin Wiig’s story of the trials and tribulations of the title characters. Smart and so quotable, with solid performances all around, while not afraid to be off-color and rude, “Bridesmaids” set a new standard.
“Caddyshack” (1980) Made at the height of “Saturday Night Live” movie comedies, this is the All-Star Game. Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray and a persistent gopher deliver a golf comedy that has become a beloved classic in the four decades since it was first released. Not a day goes by that someone somewhere doesn’t quote this film. If you’ve never seen it, you need to “Be the ball!”
“Duck Soup” (1933). Is there really anything more to say other than this is a Marx Brothers movie? In this one, filled with the Brothers’ trademark, off-kilter, rat-a-tat humor, Groucho is named the Dictator of the fictional country, Fredonia and includes lines like, “I’ve got a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it!”
“Hold That Ghost’ (1941). Many would say that “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” is the duo’s best film, but “Hold That Ghost” makes a great companion piece. In the film, Abbott and Costello find themselves trapped in a haunted house and Costello’s terrified, stammering reactions to the ghosts are pure, comic gold.
“The Odd Couple” (1968). Before they were “Grumpy Old Men, “ Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were grumpy younger, divorced roommates, Felix and Oscar, in this film adaptation of Neil Simon’s brilliant stage play. It’s no wonder that the story of the neat freak and the snob forced to live together has been adapted so many times (including a hit TV series), as the possibilities are endlessly funny.
“There’s Something About Mary’ (1998). The Farrelly Brothers low brow, gross out comedy with heart is a hysterical juggernaut like no other. Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz and Matt Dillon in a love triangle, of sorts, unlike any you’ve ever seen. Just saying “the zipper scene” or “the hair gel scene” from anyone who has seen this film can immediately generate laughs.
So, while reality may continue to be a concept, taking some time to laugh with these movies, or many of the other well loved comedies out there, may just be what’s indeed. Not a definitive list here, by any means, but one that may help ease some stress, at least for 90 minutes to two hours.
Stay safe and stay well everyone.
Sources:
IMDb
Wikipedia
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