Not-so-problematic comedy film suggestions?
August 22, 2016 8:49 AM Subscribe
My guy and I are going through a time that features us both facing real-life hard times. The struggles are temporary and we'll be okay. Never, though, have we faced so clearly our need for comedy movies that aren't bad to some people. Can you help us with light-hearted stuff that will distract us a bit when we need that?
We've been talking about it lately, and I don't even need anything that'll pass the Bechdel test. That is a bonus, though. I just can't deal at the moment with things that are stupid to women or minorities of any ilk. We rewatched The Birdcage this weekend, and whitewashing aside, it felt like a relief. For reference, I am a British comedy nerd (think Simon Amstell and Josie Long and Stewart Lee) and he can quote basically every 80s and 90s comedy/action movie around. We are, at the moment, re-re-rewatching Parks and Recreation and Arrested Development and Community. Parks and Rec is probably a good framework here.
You know some uplifting comedies? And really, I don't care at the moment if the movie is all white dudes, so long as they don't do terrible things to other people. (It should be such a low bar!) Not-all-white-dude movies are preferred, though. And thank you!
We've been talking about it lately, and I don't even need anything that'll pass the Bechdel test. That is a bonus, though. I just can't deal at the moment with things that are stupid to women or minorities of any ilk. We rewatched The Birdcage this weekend, and whitewashing aside, it felt like a relief. For reference, I am a British comedy nerd (think Simon Amstell and Josie Long and Stewart Lee) and he can quote basically every 80s and 90s comedy/action movie around. We are, at the moment, re-re-rewatching Parks and Recreation and Arrested Development and Community. Parks and Rec is probably a good framework here.
You know some uplifting comedies? And really, I don't care at the moment if the movie is all white dudes, so long as they don't do terrible things to other people. (It should be such a low bar!) Not-all-white-dude movies are preferred, though. And thank you!
Wellll...hmm. You got a real problem there, as the basis of pretty much all comedy is "bad things happening to other people" or as Woody Allen says "tragedy is when I get a paper cut on my finger, comedy is when you fall into an open manhole and die."
That being said, try the original Hairspray (with Ricky Lake) ...mostly teenage drama and tons of camp value.
posted by sexyrobot at 8:57 AM on August 22, 2016
That being said, try the original Hairspray (with Ricky Lake) ...mostly teenage drama and tons of camp value.
posted by sexyrobot at 8:57 AM on August 22, 2016
Are you ok with kids movies? I rewatched The Sandlot recently and it is great. Similarly a maybe, possibly too schmaltzy for your tastes, A League of their Own, umm, knocks it out of the park Bechdel test-wise.
Probably I have non-baseball examples, just not at the moment it seems. But kids comedies are great for this, if that'll work for you.
posted by the primroses were over at 9:01 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Probably I have non-baseball examples, just not at the moment it seems. But kids comedies are great for this, if that'll work for you.
posted by the primroses were over at 9:01 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Not a movie, but the BBC show Detectorists I think exactly fits this bill. Series 1 is on Netflix. Series 2 can be had via other means.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:03 AM on August 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:03 AM on August 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
Not a movie, but maybe something completely zany like Angie Tribeca?
posted by lmfsilva at 9:09 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lmfsilva at 9:09 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Not a movie, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine has helped us fill the post-Parks void.
posted by statsgirl at 9:10 AM on August 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by statsgirl at 9:10 AM on August 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
I was also going to suggest Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which is sweet and also has quite a diverse cast, at least by US TV standards.
Perhaps Ernst Lubitsch is what you are after. Trouble in Paradise?
The other movie that comes to mind is Undercover Brother, which is just tremendously silly--basically a parody James Bond movie, but MI-6 is replaced by a secret underground black agency. With Neil Patrick Harris as the white intern.
posted by praemunire at 9:17 AM on August 22, 2016
Perhaps Ernst Lubitsch is what you are after. Trouble in Paradise?
The other movie that comes to mind is Undercover Brother, which is just tremendously silly--basically a parody James Bond movie, but MI-6 is replaced by a secret underground black agency. With Neil Patrick Harris as the white intern.
posted by praemunire at 9:17 AM on August 22, 2016
It's TV, but-- The IT Crowd is a lighthearted British comedy series about 3 misfits (one white woman, one PoC man, and one white man) and it's not racist at all, wheeee (my racism radar is very attuned). The woman character is kind of dumb but she's no dumber than the two men. I'll preface this by saying that my sexism radar is more permissive than my racism radar, but I don't find it sexist. It's super funny.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:25 AM on August 22, 2016 [14 favorites]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:25 AM on August 22, 2016 [14 favorites]
This is a real love-or-hate movie, but I'd recommend Napoleon Dynamite. It's an uplifting fairy tale where even the bullies and villains are kind of sweet, in their way. And definitely not all-white!
posted by holborne at 9:27 AM on August 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by holborne at 9:27 AM on August 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
This weekend I watched Man Up, a British rom com starring Lake Bell and Simon Pegg, and it was surprisingly hilarious, heartwarming, and well done. Everybody is white but the characters are 50/50 men and women. It is streaming on Netflix.
posted by ejs at 9:28 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by ejs at 9:28 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 are about as heavy as cotton candy, and do pass the Bechdel test.
Zoolander is High Stupid and I love it (bad things do happen as a result of a freak gasoline-fight accident, but, well…). Give Zoolander 2 a miss though. Popstar is a better successor in the style of High Stupid.
You might also enjoy some older movies. The Philadelphia Story. It Happened One Night (one of the best movies ever, period). Desk Set.
posted by adamrice at 9:30 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Zoolander is High Stupid and I love it (bad things do happen as a result of a freak gasoline-fight accident, but, well…). Give Zoolander 2 a miss though. Popstar is a better successor in the style of High Stupid.
You might also enjoy some older movies. The Philadelphia Story. It Happened One Night (one of the best movies ever, period). Desk Set.
posted by adamrice at 9:30 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
A British Comedy Nerd probably knows these, but maybe...
Wallace and Gromit in A Grand Day Out (their next 3 films all have villains).
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in Jeeves and Wooster.
posted by Homer42 at 9:33 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Wallace and Gromit in A Grand Day Out (their next 3 films all have villains).
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in Jeeves and Wooster.
posted by Homer42 at 9:33 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Clueless.
posted by Mchelly at 9:36 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 9:36 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Fever Pitch is my happy place movie. The darkest place the movie goes is that Jimmy Fallon loves the Red Sox too much. I also unreasonably love How I Met Your Mother, but probably because I've watched it through an embarrassing number of times and feel deep familial bonds with the characters.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:41 AM on August 22, 2016
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:41 AM on August 22, 2016
Response by poster: To steer because my initial question was a bit confusing, IT Crowd has gone over all right in this house and is a good rec. The tiny bit I watched of Undercover Brother was also just great, because I'm totally happy with people making fun of mainstream white straight culture. I need a lot more of that. Napoleon Dynamite was uncomfortable for me, because it felt like I was meant to laugh at the main characters, and I would rather just openly empathize and see them be okay. That movie felt like Big Bang Theory to me, where I was meant to be laughing at the nerds and the producers were winking at me.
Zoolander is exactly the right kind of "High Stupid," which is a brilliant term. We actually tried to watch "Man Up" in this very frame of mind and something went wrong early? On your recommendation, we'll probably try it again.
Fry and Laurie is almost always a good sell. We've also been having luck with "A Very Secret Service." Also loved is "Caramel," which is not at all High Stupid and is just nice about life. I think I might be steering toward comedic movies from anywhere in the world that aren't cruel to people.
Like, I get why someone would quote Woody Allen on comedy, but "Tragedy is that we have so few options for funny filmmakers that that asshole creeper Woody Allen is a good one; comedy is when someone you like has a hard time and screws up and it comes out okay."
posted by lauranesson at 9:48 AM on August 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
Zoolander is exactly the right kind of "High Stupid," which is a brilliant term. We actually tried to watch "Man Up" in this very frame of mind and something went wrong early? On your recommendation, we'll probably try it again.
Fry and Laurie is almost always a good sell. We've also been having luck with "A Very Secret Service." Also loved is "Caramel," which is not at all High Stupid and is just nice about life. I think I might be steering toward comedic movies from anywhere in the world that aren't cruel to people.
Like, I get why someone would quote Woody Allen on comedy, but "Tragedy is that we have so few options for funny filmmakers that that asshole creeper Woody Allen is a good one; comedy is when someone you like has a hard time and screws up and it comes out okay."
posted by lauranesson at 9:48 AM on August 22, 2016 [10 favorites]
Oh, if you like High Stupid classics, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure comes to mind. Possibly also Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, although in my memory that one has a slightly harsher vibe.
posted by praemunire at 9:52 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 9:52 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
comedy is when someone you like has a hard time and screws up and it comes out okay
maybe Frances Ha and Mistress America ?
posted by lmfsilva at 9:59 AM on August 22, 2016
maybe Frances Ha and Mistress America ?
posted by lmfsilva at 9:59 AM on August 22, 2016
I will add the criminally underrated I'm Gonna Git You Sucka to your High Stupid list, if you can get your hands on it.
i also adore the hell out of Happy Gilmore, and I don't care who knows it.
posted by Mchelly at 10:01 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
i also adore the hell out of Happy Gilmore, and I don't care who knows it.
posted by Mchelly at 10:01 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Best in Show never gets old for me.
Galaxy Quest is a delight.
posted by like_neon at 10:06 AM on August 22, 2016 [15 favorites]
Galaxy Quest is a delight.
posted by like_neon at 10:06 AM on August 22, 2016 [15 favorites]
Space balls and Some Like it Hot (if you're ok with older films)
posted by A hidden well at 10:08 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by A hidden well at 10:08 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Bring It On!
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:13 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:13 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
I assume that as a comedy nerd you're very familiar with Father Ted, but it's probably the silliest thing ever created - by Graham IT Crowd Linehan and Arthur Matthews. Possibly also the sketch show they wrote called Big Train (which was a sort of trial run for Chris Morris' Jam which they also contributed to and which you definitely don't want to watch under any circumstances).
Jacque Tati's Jour de Fête in particular of his films is a delight. They get a bit more abstract as they go on (though I'm a huge Tati fan, but I realise that Playtime is a bit much for a lot of people).
And although it makes me personally a bit sad post-Brexit (and discovering the ratio of arsehole to non-arsehole among the English is rather larger than I'd previously thought), the recent film of Paddington is lovely despite the inclusion of an off-brand Cruella de Ville.
posted by Grangousier at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Jacque Tati's Jour de Fête in particular of his films is a delight. They get a bit more abstract as they go on (though I'm a huge Tati fan, but I realise that Playtime is a bit much for a lot of people).
And although it makes me personally a bit sad post-Brexit (and discovering the ratio of arsehole to non-arsehole among the English is rather larger than I'd previously thought), the recent film of Paddington is lovely despite the inclusion of an off-brand Cruella de Ville.
posted by Grangousier at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Drop Dead Gorgeous is a 1999 all-female mockumentary about a small town beauty pageant- silly and funny, and fun to see so many famous actresses in their teens (Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy). Definitely passes the Bechdel test, despite its fluffy subject matter.
Juno- about what a punky teen does when she finds out she's pregnant- debatably has a slight anti-abortion undercurrent (although I think it's more about a pregnant teen who makes an openminded choice not to have an abortion, rather than a morality tale about abortion). It is funny and sweet, Ellen Page as Juno is wonderful and Michael Cera is incredibly loveable as her boyfriend- just fantastic, warm, likeable characters. It does pass the Bechdel test.
Agree with above posters that Christopher Guest mockumentaries (especially Best in Show (dogshows), Waiting for Guffman (community theatre), and Spinal Tap (rock music)) are super fun to watch.
Boxtrolls is a kids stop-motion animation movie about a human boy raised by little trolls who live in cardboard boxes. It's fun and lovely (although some viewers deem it transmisogynistic as there is a male villain who has a secret identity as a female cabaret singer). Incredible craft- the animation is stunning.
Amelie is just a lovely piece of film and everyone should enjoy it annually- gorgeously photographed story of a shy French waitress embarking on a series of ridiculous schemes to find happiness for herself and her neighbours. Does not pass Bechdel test but still lovely and warm-feeling to watch, and, interestingly, Amelie is an empowered and compelling woman who is not a "strong woman"- she's almost muted by shyness and she is totally unable to handle conflict, yet she still goes out and gets what she wants, which is interesting and very pro-introvert.
Rachel Getting Married is the story of a woman with substance abuse issues at her younger sister's wedding. It's pretty intense but also completely absorbing and makes you feel like you attended an actual wedding. Amazing performances (Anne Hathaway went from Disney Princess to Serious Actress like a rocket after she nailed this role), good casual diversity in the cast, and it does pass the Bechdel test.
Your Sister's Sister is a heartwarming capsule film about two sisters and a male friend up at a cottage. It is simple and very very good- great performances and great dialogue. Shot on a shoestring budget and totally wonderful.
Beginners is just an amazing film. It's sad but in a beautiful, heart-opening, affirming way. Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent are sad people who find love slowly and with difficulty, and Christopher Plummer is Ewan's dad who comes out of the closet at like age 80 and finds love. It's a little intensely sad in parts but fucking wonderful, poetically quirky, and gives you that heart-opening feeling which is a bit exhausting perhaps but wonderfully cathartic.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:28 AM on August 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
Juno- about what a punky teen does when she finds out she's pregnant- debatably has a slight anti-abortion undercurrent (although I think it's more about a pregnant teen who makes an openminded choice not to have an abortion, rather than a morality tale about abortion). It is funny and sweet, Ellen Page as Juno is wonderful and Michael Cera is incredibly loveable as her boyfriend- just fantastic, warm, likeable characters. It does pass the Bechdel test.
Agree with above posters that Christopher Guest mockumentaries (especially Best in Show (dogshows), Waiting for Guffman (community theatre), and Spinal Tap (rock music)) are super fun to watch.
Boxtrolls is a kids stop-motion animation movie about a human boy raised by little trolls who live in cardboard boxes. It's fun and lovely (although some viewers deem it transmisogynistic as there is a male villain who has a secret identity as a female cabaret singer). Incredible craft- the animation is stunning.
Amelie is just a lovely piece of film and everyone should enjoy it annually- gorgeously photographed story of a shy French waitress embarking on a series of ridiculous schemes to find happiness for herself and her neighbours. Does not pass Bechdel test but still lovely and warm-feeling to watch, and, interestingly, Amelie is an empowered and compelling woman who is not a "strong woman"- she's almost muted by shyness and she is totally unable to handle conflict, yet she still goes out and gets what she wants, which is interesting and very pro-introvert.
Rachel Getting Married is the story of a woman with substance abuse issues at her younger sister's wedding. It's pretty intense but also completely absorbing and makes you feel like you attended an actual wedding. Amazing performances (Anne Hathaway went from Disney Princess to Serious Actress like a rocket after she nailed this role), good casual diversity in the cast, and it does pass the Bechdel test.
Your Sister's Sister is a heartwarming capsule film about two sisters and a male friend up at a cottage. It is simple and very very good- great performances and great dialogue. Shot on a shoestring budget and totally wonderful.
Beginners is just an amazing film. It's sad but in a beautiful, heart-opening, affirming way. Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent are sad people who find love slowly and with difficulty, and Christopher Plummer is Ewan's dad who comes out of the closet at like age 80 and finds love. It's a little intensely sad in parts but fucking wonderful, poetically quirky, and gives you that heart-opening feeling which is a bit exhausting perhaps but wonderfully cathartic.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:28 AM on August 22, 2016 [8 favorites]
School of Rock
posted by ewok_academy at 10:38 AM on August 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by ewok_academy at 10:38 AM on August 22, 2016 [11 favorites]
Kids in the Hall does this for me and because it ran quite a few seasons, there's a lot out there to watch.
There are quite a lot of British quiz shows available on YouTube--QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Big Fat Quiz of the [whatever], Would I Lie to You, etc.
Also: not a comedy, but I found the Great British Bake-Off to be utterly charming and it has moments of comedy (as well as baking tragedy).
posted by smirkette at 10:42 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
There are quite a lot of British quiz shows available on YouTube--QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Big Fat Quiz of the [whatever], Would I Lie to You, etc.
Also: not a comedy, but I found the Great British Bake-Off to be utterly charming and it has moments of comedy (as well as baking tragedy).
posted by smirkette at 10:42 AM on August 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Are manic, visually over-the-top comedies with cartoon violence OK? Because then I can recommend Kung Fu Hustle, The World's End, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Josie and the Pussycats is also like this, though without the violence.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:46 AM on August 22, 2016
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:46 AM on August 22, 2016
If you like mockumentaries, try The Grand and Incident at Loch Ness, both directed by Zak Penn and featuring amazing comedy performances by Werner Herzog. So. Hilarious.
For Fry and Laurie, I assume you've seen A Little Bit of Fry and Laurie (their early sketch comedy show)? If not, definitely worth seeing. We also really love Stephen Fry's current QI, a game show that pretty much just turns into comedy plus trivia. It's awesome.
Along the lines of Parks and Rec/Community/Arrested Development, Portlandia is satire, but it's generally gentle and good-hearted. So is Modern Family, and there's almost always a happy ending to the episode. I'd suggest steering clear of Veep, which, in my mind, is the version of Parks and Rec where everyone's awful to each other.
And, um, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? I know it may take some wrapping your head around the idea of watching a show billed for 8-year-old girls, but it's our favorite show. It's funny, gentle, and the whole point is being nice/making friends/supporting each other. The current season is completely fan service in a wonderful way - a fan convention episode, a zombie episode, a D&D episode coming up, etc. So so good. You can't not feel better after watching it.
Good luck!
posted by bananacabana at 10:51 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
For Fry and Laurie, I assume you've seen A Little Bit of Fry and Laurie (their early sketch comedy show)? If not, definitely worth seeing. We also really love Stephen Fry's current QI, a game show that pretty much just turns into comedy plus trivia. It's awesome.
Along the lines of Parks and Rec/Community/Arrested Development, Portlandia is satire, but it's generally gentle and good-hearted. So is Modern Family, and there's almost always a happy ending to the episode. I'd suggest steering clear of Veep, which, in my mind, is the version of Parks and Rec where everyone's awful to each other.
And, um, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? I know it may take some wrapping your head around the idea of watching a show billed for 8-year-old girls, but it's our favorite show. It's funny, gentle, and the whole point is being nice/making friends/supporting each other. The current season is completely fan service in a wonderful way - a fan convention episode, a zombie episode, a D&D episode coming up, etc. So so good. You can't not feel better after watching it.
Good luck!
posted by bananacabana at 10:51 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
There is really a non-trivial amount of violent cruelty in Kung Fu Hustle! I enjoyed it, but it's in a different category from World's End or Scott Pilgrim.
Hollywood Shuffle (1987), about a black guy trying to make it in acting without selling out, is quite funny if you are old enough to be familiar with the contemporary films being parodied. (It's also, sadly, still relevant in its message.)
posted by praemunire at 10:52 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hollywood Shuffle (1987), about a black guy trying to make it in acting without selling out, is quite funny if you are old enough to be familiar with the contemporary films being parodied. (It's also, sadly, still relevant in its message.)
posted by praemunire at 10:52 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Jerk
Pinchcliffe Grand Prix
The Brothers Solomon maybe
Have you been through the George & Mildred world? Not sure if the bickery would chafe, but it's where The Ropers come from.
posted by rhizome at 10:53 AM on August 22, 2016
Pinchcliffe Grand Prix
The Brothers Solomon maybe
Have you been through the George & Mildred world? Not sure if the bickery would chafe, but it's where The Ropers come from.
posted by rhizome at 10:53 AM on August 22, 2016
I'm sure you've seen "Clue," but it is one of my go-to feel-good movies. "The Princess Bride" is funny and sweet and an adventure. One of my personal favorite comedies is "The Great Muppet Caper". WOW is it a silly movie, but so much fun! Diana Rigg and Charles Grodin are both delightful.
posted by epj at 11:06 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by epj at 11:06 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
W1A. I love it so much. It's like Office Space and 1984 had a baby and gave it to Kafka to raise.
posted by Don Pepino at 11:11 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Don Pepino at 11:11 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Smoke Signals
posted by kapers at 11:15 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by kapers at 11:15 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
What's Up Doc? is basically a tribute/remake to Bringing Up Baby (also, Bringing Up Baby).
It's less on the laugh-out-loud side of comedy, but How to Steal a Million is lighthearted and delightful.
If subtitles are OK, We are the Best! is wonderfully life-affirming.
posted by darksong at 11:16 AM on August 22, 2016
It's less on the laugh-out-loud side of comedy, but How to Steal a Million is lighthearted and delightful.
If subtitles are OK, We are the Best! is wonderfully life-affirming.
posted by darksong at 11:16 AM on August 22, 2016
Oh, and Steven Universe!
posted by smirkette at 11:18 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by smirkette at 11:18 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Local Hero. One of my all-time favourite movies and I'm surprised nobody's suggested it already.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:33 AM on August 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:33 AM on August 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
Since you sound pretty comedy-literate, what about revisiting classics of the genre like the Marx Brothers' movies?
posted by wenestvedt at 12:10 PM on August 22, 2016
posted by wenestvedt at 12:10 PM on August 22, 2016
So, Gregory's Girl, then, too?
(My personal favourite Forsyth movie is Housekeeping, which is neither a comedy nor especially heartwarming - though it is haunting - but it passes the Bechdel test and leaves it in the dust.)
posted by Grangousier at 12:11 PM on August 22, 2016
(My personal favourite Forsyth movie is Housekeeping, which is neither a comedy nor especially heartwarming - though it is haunting - but it passes the Bechdel test and leaves it in the dust.)
posted by Grangousier at 12:11 PM on August 22, 2016
Re Fry and Laurie - All the old Jeeves and Wooster they did is on Hulu. Lots of white dudes, but boy is it silly in the best way when times are tough.
For movies: If you like The Princess Bride try Stardust. Other movies when I'm in this space: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 180 South, Mrs Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Big Fish, Secondhand Lions, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Babies documentary.
The Whole Nine Yards was hilarious, and had a happy ending for all. Not violent. I also thought Red was quite funny, not very violent, ensemble cast.
posted by jrobin276 at 12:14 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
For movies: If you like The Princess Bride try Stardust. Other movies when I'm in this space: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, 180 South, Mrs Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Big Fish, Secondhand Lions, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Babies documentary.
The Whole Nine Yards was hilarious, and had a happy ending for all. Not violent. I also thought Red was quite funny, not very violent, ensemble cast.
posted by jrobin276 at 12:14 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Clueless is mandatory viewing when I'm in the space you're in.
If you don't mind zombie flicks, I laughed my damn head off watching Zombieland.
posted by honey-barbara at 12:16 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you don't mind zombie flicks, I laughed my damn head off watching Zombieland.
posted by honey-barbara at 12:16 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
I wasn't sure, but...
Something I'm often mentioning to people is a strange little film from New Zealand called Dean Spanley: a man is obliged to visit his cold and irascible father every week. One day his father forces him to attend a lecture on reincarnation and he falls in with a cleric who, while under the influence of a particular dessert wine, tells stories of his previous incarnation as a dog. The gentlemen then needs to visit a slightly disreputable fixer of Antipodean origin to maintain his supply of dessert wine and so hear more stories. An eccentric little film (redolent of Ealing comedies) with an intensely moving (or at least I thought so) twist and a happy ending. Wonderful performances from Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill. However it fails the Bechdel test spectacularly - there are very few female characters and I'm not sure that any pair are in the same building at any one time. A genuine curiosity, though.
posted by Grangousier at 12:30 PM on August 22, 2016
Something I'm often mentioning to people is a strange little film from New Zealand called Dean Spanley: a man is obliged to visit his cold and irascible father every week. One day his father forces him to attend a lecture on reincarnation and he falls in with a cleric who, while under the influence of a particular dessert wine, tells stories of his previous incarnation as a dog. The gentlemen then needs to visit a slightly disreputable fixer of Antipodean origin to maintain his supply of dessert wine and so hear more stories. An eccentric little film (redolent of Ealing comedies) with an intensely moving (or at least I thought so) twist and a happy ending. Wonderful performances from Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill. However it fails the Bechdel test spectacularly - there are very few female characters and I'm not sure that any pair are in the same building at any one time. A genuine curiosity, though.
posted by Grangousier at 12:30 PM on August 22, 2016
The Associate has always been one of my favorites and I think it fits the criteria.
posted by one4themoment at 12:38 PM on August 22, 2016
posted by one4themoment at 12:38 PM on August 22, 2016
Tucker and Dale vs Evil: lighthearted parody of the teen horror genre featuring two lovable rednecks who just want to fix up their holiday cabin. Stars Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine.
Not a movie but Better Off Ted is a lighthearted take on the daily workings inside an evil corporation. Features incredible chemistry and an adorable little girl.
McHale's Navy is based off a 60's TV show; light hearted take on a feckless crew of rejects set up to lose a military exercise.
posted by porpoise at 12:39 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Not a movie but Better Off Ted is a lighthearted take on the daily workings inside an evil corporation. Features incredible chemistry and an adorable little girl.
McHale's Navy is based off a 60's TV show; light hearted take on a feckless crew of rejects set up to lose a military exercise.
posted by porpoise at 12:39 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Local Hero for sure.
Consider also Together: A 1970s Stockholm commune is run by a meek guy who tries to keep everything and everyone together. A woman and her kids flee an abusive relationship and move into the commune, which causes some tension amongst the more hard-line off-the-grid types. It's a simple, well observed film but is genuinely hilarious and pretty moving as well.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:39 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Consider also Together: A 1970s Stockholm commune is run by a meek guy who tries to keep everything and everyone together. A woman and her kids flee an abusive relationship and move into the commune, which causes some tension amongst the more hard-line off-the-grid types. It's a simple, well observed film but is genuinely hilarious and pretty moving as well.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:39 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
The director of Together also made We Are the Best! which is a very uplifting film about three teenage girls who start a punk band
posted by Chenko at 12:43 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Chenko at 12:43 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Baxter. It's a rom com that's all about four straight people (two men, two women) and their specific personalities and relationships. I can't think of any offense one could take to it; at worst, you could say it has some gentle fun with norms about how men are expected to act (neither too nerdy and stuffy, nor too vulnerable and emotional). As an example of how politically correct the movie is (not that there's anything wrong with that!), Peter Dinklage brilliantly plays a minor role as a wedding planner, and there are no jokes or even references to his diminutive stature.
posted by John Cohen at 12:50 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by John Cohen at 12:50 PM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
What We do in the Shadows is a mocumentary horror buddy comedy (there's some gag blood in ridiculous amounts, but no real gore). Most of the comedy is just watching this group of friends try to be cool, dark vampires and instead end up being out-of-touch goofballs who dress weird and try to pick up ladies. It's basically if Flight of the Conchords* were vampires, but less singing. (*It's written and starring Jemaine Clements). Trailer
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:19 PM on August 22, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:19 PM on August 22, 2016 [5 favorites]
If you are a Bill Murray fan, The Man Who Knew Too Little, was tailor-written for him to play his Bill Murray-est comedy role.
posted by zyxwvut at 1:19 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by zyxwvut at 1:19 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Clue!
Christopher Guest mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.
posted by D.Billy at 2:15 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Christopher Guest mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.
posted by D.Billy at 2:15 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I craved exactly this sort of comedy when I was home on maternity leave with a sick, sleepless infant; I still have a little twinge of flashback-feeling when the theme song to Community or Parks and Rec comes on. I'm seconding recommendations for Better Off Ted and Steven Universe, and adding Bob's Burgers to the list (sorry I know those are TV shows, hope that's OK).
This question might give you some good ideas too.
posted by beandip at 2:21 PM on August 22, 2016
This question might give you some good ideas too.
posted by beandip at 2:21 PM on August 22, 2016
Grosse Pointe Blank, light and funny. And Lars and the Real Girl, very sweet and charming.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 3:17 PM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 3:17 PM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
I love this question, and when I was looking for similar, Bob's Burgers was exactly right.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 4:36 PM on August 22, 2016
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 4:36 PM on August 22, 2016
Oh yes, yes! These are the kind of movies I love, funny but kind of basically sweet.
Definitely seconding "What We Do In the Shadows" -- it's a documentary from the New Zealand Documentary Board about vampires, and so wonderful. Even more wonderful is the next film from Taika Waititi, "Hunt for the Wilderpeople." And Mr K and I are planning to watch an earlier film by him, "Boy," this very evening.
"The Castle" is a 1997 movie from Australia that might be the funniest, sweetest movie ever made. At first you think "These people are...idiots." And then you realize they are possibly the sanest people you've ever met. Many, many lines from this movie are permanent parts of our family conversation.
"My First Mister"* (2001) Stars Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski, Michael McKean, Mary Kay Place, and directed by Christine Lahti. Not creepy, despite the title.
"Cold Comfort Farm"* with Kate Beckinsale. "Overboard" (1987) with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. "Multiplicity," a movie that just disappeared, with Andie McDowell and Michael Keaton, directed by Harold Ramis.
"In a World."* Written, directed by and starring Lake Bell, about the cutthroat world of voice-overs. Can't recommend this highly enough.
Worth watching more than once: "Galaxy Quest," "Office Space," "Princess Bride," "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Groundhog Day."
OMG, I need to watch every one of these movies again. And also "Sense and Sensibility"* with the screenplay by Emma Thompson.
Thanks for the fantastic question.
* passes the Bechdel test
posted by kestralwing at 6:24 PM on August 22, 2016
Definitely seconding "What We Do In the Shadows" -- it's a documentary from the New Zealand Documentary Board about vampires, and so wonderful. Even more wonderful is the next film from Taika Waititi, "Hunt for the Wilderpeople." And Mr K and I are planning to watch an earlier film by him, "Boy," this very evening.
"The Castle" is a 1997 movie from Australia that might be the funniest, sweetest movie ever made. At first you think "These people are...idiots." And then you realize they are possibly the sanest people you've ever met. Many, many lines from this movie are permanent parts of our family conversation.
"My First Mister"* (2001) Stars Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski, Michael McKean, Mary Kay Place, and directed by Christine Lahti. Not creepy, despite the title.
"Cold Comfort Farm"* with Kate Beckinsale. "Overboard" (1987) with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. "Multiplicity," a movie that just disappeared, with Andie McDowell and Michael Keaton, directed by Harold Ramis.
"In a World."* Written, directed by and starring Lake Bell, about the cutthroat world of voice-overs. Can't recommend this highly enough.
Worth watching more than once: "Galaxy Quest," "Office Space," "Princess Bride," "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Groundhog Day."
OMG, I need to watch every one of these movies again. And also "Sense and Sensibility"* with the screenplay by Emma Thompson.
Thanks for the fantastic question.
* passes the Bechdel test
posted by kestralwing at 6:24 PM on August 22, 2016
Tootsie
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 7:52 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 7:52 PM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Of course you've seen 30 Rock, right? If not, watch immediately.
posted by bookworm4125 at 8:37 PM on August 22, 2016
posted by bookworm4125 at 8:37 PM on August 22, 2016
Bend It Like Beckham is sweetly humorous rather than laugh out loud, but is one of my favourite comfort movies: a second-generation Indian/UK girl wants to play football (soccer) but has family responsibilities and friendship troubles. Seconding The Castle and if you like that, you might also like The Dish, about the small bit of Australian involvement with the first moon landing.
If you can find a copy, the Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson version of Much Ado About Nothing is also sweetly funny, apart from the mis-cast Keanu Reeves which is more "what were they thinking?" funny.
posted by harriet vane at 3:02 AM on August 23, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you can find a copy, the Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson version of Much Ado About Nothing is also sweetly funny, apart from the mis-cast Keanu Reeves which is more "what were they thinking?" funny.
posted by harriet vane at 3:02 AM on August 23, 2016 [2 favorites]
Lots of good answers above, and I want to second Real Genius, Galaxy Quest, Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, We're The Millers, Better Off Ted, and my all time favorite old comedy, Bringing Up Baby. For old movies you should definitely also try It Happened One Night and Roman Holiday.
Some more recent and more recent but older movies which are sort of "comfort food" fun include things like The Matchmaker (1997), Doc Hollywood, Overboard, The Sure Thing, French Kiss, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Kate and Leopold, Music and Lyrics, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
If you can handle musicals, Singing in the Rain is wonderful and funny. I was unexpectedly charmed by both Enchanted and Ella Enchanted.
Finally, it is not for everyone, but my husband and I love The Middleman series.
posted by gudrun at 5:38 AM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Some more recent and more recent but older movies which are sort of "comfort food" fun include things like The Matchmaker (1997), Doc Hollywood, Overboard, The Sure Thing, French Kiss, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Kate and Leopold, Music and Lyrics, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
If you can handle musicals, Singing in the Rain is wonderful and funny. I was unexpectedly charmed by both Enchanted and Ella Enchanted.
Finally, it is not for everyone, but my husband and I love The Middleman series.
posted by gudrun at 5:38 AM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Red Dwarf. (Doesn't often pass the Bechdel test, but everything else about it is spot on.)
posted by eotvos at 2:18 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by eotvos at 2:18 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Also, the Bad Ass films (especially the last one, Bad Asses on the Bayou) deserve mention on any High Stupid list.
posted by eotvos at 2:22 PM on August 23, 2016
posted by eotvos at 2:22 PM on August 23, 2016
I can't believe nobody's mentioned Airplane! yet. I've seen it more times than I can count, and I still laugh out loud every time.
I'll also second Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Or any Monty Python movie.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:54 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'll also second Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Or any Monty Python movie.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:54 PM on August 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Another British comedy series that's now several years old - Green Wing. It's just arrived on Netflix (in Canada, at least)
posted by lizbunny at 9:16 AM on August 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lizbunny at 9:16 AM on August 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
Spy! Lots of funny [white] women with agency and creativity, and Jason Statham as maximum Jason Statham is an international treasure. (Same star & director as Ghostbusters; rewatching Spy got me to finally go see Ghostbusters; which is delightful if you can go to the theater.) I haven't counted, but it seems like it's Bechtel-passing?
posted by epersonae at 1:39 PM on August 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by epersonae at 1:39 PM on August 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
Airplane! is a house favorite here, otoh avoid the Naked Gun movies unless you want to die of cringing. So bad it could not be finished in our house.
Seconding Clueless and Real Genius. Also? The Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma. It is gentle and good and I have watched it so many times.
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:08 PM on August 24, 2016
Seconding Clueless and Real Genius. Also? The Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma. It is gentle and good and I have watched it so many times.
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:08 PM on August 24, 2016
Not all of these are comedies, but there are a lot of good funny gentle movies on a couple of questions about charming TV shows and funny, gentle movies.
Seconding the rec above for Galaxy Quest. Also, a lot of Pixar stuff would probably work.
posted by kristi at 10:49 AM on August 25, 2016
Seconding the rec above for Galaxy Quest. Also, a lot of Pixar stuff would probably work.
posted by kristi at 10:49 AM on August 25, 2016
Response by poster: Thank you so much, everyone! Lots of people recommended known and loved stuff, so I'm confident we were on the right track. I got all sorts of things queued up, thanks to you. More recommendations are always welcome, and those you've made have already helped make life better.
posted by lauranesson at 8:54 PM on August 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lauranesson at 8:54 PM on August 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Maybe Moonstruck? There's infidelity in it, but it's treated as a thing that sympathetic people get through, not as a villainous life ending betrayal. It's a great movie. It's more of a romantic movie than a comedy though.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a movie about bad people, but they are conning other bad people, and it's really funny. (On edit, I'm not sure it's uplifting, but everyone gets what's coming to them.)
Also on edit: Real Genius. That one does have a great inspiring ending!
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:55 AM on August 22, 2016 [3 favorites]