Culture -- 8 days ago
Comedy films can be very unappreciated, especially considering just how hard it is to make a cinema audience laugh. I have compiled a list of twenty films that pass the ‘six laughs’ test spanning from the dawn of cinema time, to the present day.
20. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
This surprisingly poignant comedy starred Will Ferrell in one of his best roles.
19. What Women Want (2000)
Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt starred in this romantic comedy about a lothario who starts to hear the thoughts of women.
18. The Great Dictator (1940)
Charlie Chaplin’s most famous film that set up the Nazi’s and their villainous ideals.
17. The Idiots (1998)
The comedy in Lars von Trier’s is blacker than space itself – but this is a must watch avant-garde comedy.
16. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Along with Some Like It Hot, this film is the epitome of classic American screwball comedy and it’s a laugh riot from start to finish.
15. Carry On Up the Khyber (1968)
No comedy film list would be complete without an offering from the Carry On series… This ridiculous bawdy comedy is my favourite of them all.
14. Jackass: The Movie (2002)
Like it or not, the Jackass franchisehas provided an amazing window into contemporary Americana – and it’s darn funny too!
13. Anchorman (2004)
The sequel may have seriously disappointed – but this remains a classic.
12. Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)
An incredibly funny film with Hugh Grant playing a variation on his usual fop – in possibly his best ever film role.
11. Annie Hall (1977)
Just missing out on the top ten, Annie Hall is nevertheless a comedy classic. Directed by Woody Allen and starring Allen and Diane Keaton – this is an incisive comedy of manners.
10. Superbad (2007)
The most recent film on the list, this coming-of-age comedy helped to launch the careers of Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Emma Stone and Judd Apatow to name just a few…
9. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Similarly to Superbad, this ‘zombie-comedy’ was responsible for projecting Simon Pegg and Nick Frost to stardom – it’s just a shame that they’ll never make anything as good as this again.
8. Another Fine Mess (1930)
The oldest film in the list; I love all Laurel and Hardy films and this is a side-splittingly funny romp.
7. Matilda (1996)
‘You chose books, I chose looks’ is one of Zinnia Wormwood’s many gems – an amazing adaptation of Dahl’s book, directed by (and starring) Danny DeVito.
6. American Graffiti (1973)
A transcendental coming-of-age comedy that greatly influenced Superbad. What is so astonishing about the film is how heartfelt, yet funny, it is. A must see.
5. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
This gentle black comedy, about a man who kills his relatives in fantastical ways in order to inherit the title of Duke and all its trappings, is a masterpiece. It barely aroused attention upon its release but it is now considered to be one of the greatest British films of all time.
4. My Cousin Vinny (1992)
When two friends from New York get wrongly incarcerated in Alabama for murder, the seemingly incompetent Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci) must use his legal skills to get them out – with absolutely hilarious consequences.
3. The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
I could have picked any one of the original films, as they are all terrific. This one has a particularly hilarious scene as the bumbling French detective Clouseau accidently smashes up a drawing room with a medieval flail…
2. American Psycho (2000)
Although many people won’t hear of it, Mary Harron’s wonderful adaptation is a comedy. Already a cult classic, in fifty years time people will still be picking up copies of Invisible Touch and asking the question ‘Doya like Phil Collins?’
1. Eating Raoul (1982)
It’s incredibly strange that the least famous film on this list is also the number one comedy and a masterpiece to boot. Set in Los Angeles, a markedly prudish couple are shocked by the lasciviousness of their time. The sexual revolution is in full flow and they decide to take advantage of this fact by luring swingers to their apartment in order to kill – and rob them. It may take another couple of decades, but one day this film will get the recognition it deserves. Stop what your doing and watch this right now.
By Guy de Vito
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