âBig is seen at a distance,â the author of the famous poem claims, and itâs hard to disagree. Therefore, now, at the beginning of the XXI century, it will not be difficult to compose a hit parade of the best American comedies created in the XX century and over the past decades. It's time to recall the outstanding comedy film projects of the era of the modern film industry in the United States.
The main comedies of the XXI century
The list of American comedies of the XXI century, considered the most successful, includes:
- "Winners of the show" by Christopher Guest;
- Hot American Summer by David Wayne;
- âBabba Ho-Tepâ by Don Coscarelli;
- âTV Host: The Legend of Ron Burgundyâ and âStep Brothersâ by Adam Mackay;
- Shane Black's âA Kiss Throughâ;
- The Forty-Year-Old Virgin by Judd Apatow;
- "Idiocracy" by Mike Judge,
- The Ups and Downs: The Dewey Cox Story by Jake Casdan;
- "Super Peppers" by Greg Mottola,
- "In Flight" by Nicholas Stoller,
- SuperMacGruber by Jorma Taccone;
- "The Hen Party in Vegas" by Paul Fig;
- "Macho and Nerd" by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Do not disregard the comedy School of Rock, Mean Girls and Slaughter Holidays, despite the fact that they do not correspond to the categories of "Best American Comedies." The fact is that these tapes are a joint product of filmmakers in the United States and other countries.
Superhero but very funny
The list of significant new American comedies, according to the verdict of film critics, should certainly include the animated film "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs."
Among the feature films, film experts singled out the movie âThor: Ragnarokâ, one of the most inventive directors of our time, Taiki Waititi. The fact is that before the new masterpiece, the visionary was known for his talent for making comedies, so the superhero action movie is saturated to the limit with humor and funny situations.
Both laughter and wedding
Romantic comedies are a fun film story about the vicissitudes of love. Many funny American comedies are created in this subgenre.
A striking example is the comedy masterpieces from the wonderful director Harry Marshall Overboard and Pretty Woman.
In the first comedy, the director explores in detail the question of whether a person can radically change if he finds himself in a radical life situation after amnesia. The main character of a hilarious romantic farce comedy is a selfish rich woman who loses her memory when falling from a yacht, this is used by a simple hardworking carpenter who has repeatedly suffered her ridicule and resentment. He saves the beauty and convinces her that she is his legal wife and mother of three children. The spoiled luxury lady has to master the duties of a housewife. The roles of key characters in the tape were played by C. Russell and G. Hawn, who were connected by close relationships in real life.
Undoubtedly, the romantic, but somewhat cynical variation of Harry Marshall on the theme of âCinderellaâ is based on the development of relations between a millionaire and a prostitute. An influential oligarch urgently needs a spectacular party companion. Without thinking twice, he goes to the street, hires the "priestess of love" and turns her into a socialite in a few hours. As a result, the financial tycoon realizes that it is she who is his true love. The film does not lose its relevance and can claim the status of the most dangerous romkom of all time, since it convinces that any girl has a chance to become the chosen one of a rich man. The inimitable R. Geer and D. Roberts shone in the lead roles of the project.
These American comedy films are considered exemplary and are second only to cult projects.
Legend of the genre
Remembering the old American comedies, one cannot fail to mention the work of Billy Wilder. Specialists in the Hollywood film industry are still debating whether Marilyn Monroe can be considered a âtalented actressâ. Despite this, it is impossible to deny that she was indispensable in individual roles and simply amazing. For example, in the image of an unlucky little girl who hoped to captivate a millionaire, but met only deceivers-saxophonists in the movie "There are only girls in jazz." By the way, most of the plot twists and turns of the cult film were borrowed by the director from the film âFanfare of Loveâ, undeservedly forgotten today. But "Only Girls in Jazz" tops the list of American comedies, being considered an unfading classic, proving how important it is to add amusing dialogues, stylish visualization and excellent play to Marilyn and her on-screen partners D. Lemmon and T. Curtis.
With the beauty Audrey Hepburn
It is possible that the modern audience will also like two more old American comedies, âMy Fair Ladyâ and âHow to Steal a Million,â united by the participation of iconic actress unsurpassed Audrey Hepburn.
The first picture is a classic movie musical, created based on the play of Bernard Shaw. The George Cukor project received 8 Oscars. The picture unfolds in the capital of Great Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. The phonetics professor claims to be able to turn any little thing into a lady by teaching her to speak the correct English language. Two luminaries of science make a bet, choosing a poor flower trade as an experimental model. But over time, phonetics will transform into lessons of love. However, such a convergence of opposites is demonstrated by many funny American comedies.
No less impressive is the work of William Wyler "How to Steal a Million." In the movie, a frivolous story with a criminal background and rum was interwoven. The tape tells the story of a French family making money on fake works of art. The heiress of the clan for the next scam hires a robber, not knowing that he is negotiating with a detective. A man, fascinated by the beauty, is committing a crime. Despite their venerable age, these two films are positioned by film critics as the best American comedies.
Breaking stereotypes
Many funny American comedies do not fit into the classic genre framework, but are considered very successful. For example, Steven Shanebergâs movie âThe Secretaryâ. This project is a more successful study of the psychological characteristics of sadomasochism than the pathos and publicized "50 shades of gray."
Woody Allenâs âAnnie Hallâ also breaks out of the general comedic trends; there is no traditional happy ending for the romkom in the movie. But you should not find fault with trifles. The essence of the picture is not how it ends, but how recognizably, but insanely romantic, shows the development of the relationship between two eccentric heroes against the backdrop of urban landscapes in New York.
Director Harold Ramis dared to mix comedy with science fiction in the Groundhog Day project, studying how long it would take for an inveterate cynic and egoist to become worthy of love. The main character wakes up every time on February 2, despite his attempts to change the course of events during the day, time returns the man to his starting point. The vicious circle will break at the moment when the hero will correct all the mistakes and win the heart of the beautiful colleague.
From the 80s ...
American comedy films shot in the 80s of the last century have a distinctive charm and the imprint of a time period.
In 1989, director Rob Reiner shot the key movie When Harry Met Sally, the key movie for all modern Hollywood roms. Considering in detail whether a man and a woman can simply remain friends, the director gives the world a surprisingly moving and at the same time very funny story of the main characters who, after breaking up, decided to be friends, but in the end give love another chance.
Sidney Pollack earned 10 Oscars for his Tootsie (1982) project. The director proved to the public on the example of his hero that acting can be excellent psychotherapy. A key character, an unemployed artist, finds work only when he dresses as a woman. Surprisingly, reincarnation helps him become better and ultimately win the heart of his partner, who does not suspect that she works daily with a dressed man.
For the NEXT generation
The artistic value of most American youth comedies is dubious. They are traditionally crammed with black humor and âbelow the beltâ jokes. Moralists and prudes will definitely not like them, however, itâs also not worth recommending them for family viewing. But for a fun pastime of a playful company, American youth comedies are ideal.
The list of noteworthy paintings is headed by the comedy "The Hangover Party", which is definitely funnier, more daring and inventive of most contemporary examples of the genre. This is a dream come true of a grand hangover, which is remembered with happiness and shame all my life. Memories of the main characters are accompanied by male revelations, talk about sex and, naturally, dizzying panoramas of Vegas. Not surprisingly, the project soon acquired two sequels.
The creators of the ironic film "A student of easy virtue" can be proud of understanding what the best American comedies are based on. Director Will Gluck managed to find the perfect tone for a comedy about high school students. Over the past period, this is probably the only "youth" project that addresses the problems of self-identification in the school team.
About puberty
American comedies about students often exploit the vicissitudes of puberty and sex. A striking example is the American Pie saga, which fits seamlessly into the current Hollywood fashion of politically incorrect and daring. The film âProject X: Dorvalâ was also supported by the stated trend - initially unbearable, in the final - homerically funny.
In 2012, Seth MacFarlane proved to the public that the Romany, for complete happiness, lacked a teddy bear of obscene behavior. In the movie âThe Third Extraâ, he equalizes girlish affection and the characteristic male adolescence of adolescents.