Black comedy is not for everyone. It's not "nice", nor is it gentle or comforting. It pokes fun at subjects that aren't considered humourous at all, like violence, death, religion, politics, love, the power of the human spirit, etc. And on their own, these things are not funny. So why do some of us laugh at this stuff on the silver screen?
Don't get me wrong. I'm as horrified as anyone else about real-life evils such as war, abuse, terrorism, and death. I like to think I'm a good person. I don't really want to hurt anyone. Real-life violence is not acceptable, ever. But being human, I do get angry, and need an outlet so I can smile at people who piss me off and avoid prison.
But... if you're anything like me, you also want to be assured of love and decency in the world, that good people do exist and the exceptional ones will step up and be heroes, like Harriet Tubman, those who gave sanctuary to prosecuted Jews during WWII, firefighters who risk their lives to save others, etc. You know, the real heroes. You want to believe that the bad guys will be punished as they should be in real life. You want to be the New Sheriff in Town, and smite evil in the messiest, more satisfying way possible. Or maybe you want to play Bad Hat for a couple of hours, and rip into the dillholes who make miserable for others, or even boring characters who represent their real-life counterparts in your life and drag you down. Perhaps you watch horror movies and black comedies in order to calm your fears and cope with the real monsters. Whatever it is, you're not a bad person. It's your coping mechanism, that's all. At least, I hope so.
One of my favourite sayings is this: I know how to be evil... I just choose not to be.
Sooooo....
You will hate these films if:
... you just want to be diverted for a couple of hours, but dislike conflicts more complicated than cute misunderstandings and pratfalls.
... you prefer light, non-threatening stories with "America's Sweetheart"-type actresses like Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock as a bland, generically pretty heroine who somehow finds Twu Wuv with an equally bland, generically handsome hero.
... you think movie violence in Bugs Bunny cartoons is just awful. They were right to cut the scenes of Daffy Duck blowing his beak in twenty different directions. And Tom and Jerry should learn to co-exist. And share. And discuss their differences until they alienate their bloodthirsty fans.
These might be too much for the timid or the staunchly virtuous. If you're like Barbara Bush and don't want to waste your beautiful mind, that's your right. I still love you. We just can't go to the movies together, that's all. But if you're willing to look in a dark mirror, you may find some kindred spirits here.
American Psycho (2000) * * * 1/2
Former child actor and future Dark Knight Christian Slater shot to stardom with this nihilistic stab at 80's consumerism. This is about as far into a psychopath's head as you want to go.
Bad Santa (2003) * * *
Billy Bob Thornton won't just give you coal, he'll make you eat it.
Barton Fink (1991) * * * 1/2
The Coen Brothers knock the smugness out of a conceited playwright and that''s just the beginning of this Faustian tale.
Fido (2006) * * *
In this bizarro universe, zombies are not killed, they're programmed to serve the living. Carrie-Anne Moss is adorable as a chipper 50's mom who takes a shine to "Fido", a mild-mannered zombie.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) * * *
A hitman (John Cusack) decides to attend his 20th high school reunion.
The Hangover (2009) * * * 1/2
Crude but hilarious road movie about a quartet of guys who go to Las Vegas for their buddy's bachelor party. A few drinks later, they wake up in their hotel room in chaos (including a man-eating tiger in the bathroom!) and the groom-to-be missing.
Heathers (1989) * * * 1/2
Wynona Ryder and Christian Slater wreak havoc upon cliques and high school hierarchy. This is Mean Girls with a shot of Drano.
Hot Fuzz (2007) * * * *
Simon Pegg is a humourless by-the-book policeman who is reassigned to a seemingly peaceful hamlet as 'punishment' for making his colleagues look bad. Lots of fun cameos from character actors in classic horror films like The Omen and The Wicker Man.
Parents (1989) * * *
In the bland conformist 50's, Randy Quaid is Dad, a bland, sinister patriarch in a family who only wants to take care of his family and raise his little boy to be Just Like Him. And just what does Daddy do at the plant?
Raising Arizona (1987) * * * *
Another early hit from those wascally Coen Brothers: A chronic criminal (dumb but lovable Nicolas Cage) and the tough cop he marries (a fiercely baby-crazed Holly Hunter) are unable to have children - so they steal one. This is like Bonnie and Clyde crossed with a Warner Bros. cartoon.
Serial Mom (1994) * * *
Kathleen Turner is a sweet old-fashioned mom who's fiercely, murderously protective of her family and her warped sense of right and wrong.
Shaun of the Dead (2004) * * *
This British gem launched Simon Pegg into stardom. He's a guy with parent and girlfriend issues, plus he has to deal with a zombie uprising.
To Die For (1995) * * *
A vapid, narcissistic weather girl (Nicole Kidman) decides that her dull hubby is an obstacle to her career. So she enlists a trio of high school outcasts to get rid of him. Sharply skewers television, fame, and the media.
Very Bad Things (1998) * * *
A bachelor party goes horribly wrong when a stripper/hooker is accidentally killed and the guys have to scramble to hide the body.
The War of the Roses (1989) * * * 1/2
Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas, and Kathleen Turner join forces in this poisonous valentine about a divorcing couple who go to extreme measures to possess the house.
Young Adult (2011) * * * 1/2
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2 comments:
Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and War of the Roses are some of my favorite movies. You've got me very curious to see Raising Arizona now (4 stars?!), gotta rent it.
I recently saw a Rowan Aktinson film called Keeping Mum that would definitey fly under the black comedy flag, featuring Maggie Smith as the axe-murdering version of Mary Poppins. It's not great, but it's amusing enough.
Hey Ted! You're the first one to comment on one of my articles. Thanks!
I'm sure you'll enjoy Raising Arizona. It's a lot of fun, and the actors really bring more to the table than you'd expect for this kind of movie. Cage's character is a lovable fool, but you can't help rooting for him because he genuinely adores his no-nonsense wife and will do the stupidest things to make her happy.
I meant to see Keeping Mum and forgot because it wasn't on the radar very long. I'll rent it sometime - thanks for reminding me! Sounds like it's right up my alley.
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