The best American comedies: a list of old and new films

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

"Great is seen from a distance," says the author of a famous poem, and it's hard to disagree with that. Therefore, now, at the beginning of the 21st century, it will not be difficult to make a hit parade of the best American comedies created in the 20th century and over the past decades. It's time to remember 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 the most successful American comedies of the 21st century includes:

• Christopher Guest's Show Winners;
• Hot American Summer by David Wayne;
• "Bubba Ho-Tep" by Don Coscarelli;
• "The Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "Step Brothers" by Adam McKay;
• Blow Kiss by Shane Black;
• The 40 Year Old Virgin by Judd Apatow;
• "Idiocracy" by Mike Judge,
• Rise and Fall: The Dewey Cox Story by Jake Kasdan;
• "Super Peppers" by Greg Mottola,
• "In Flight" by Nicholas Stoller,
• Super MacGruber by Jorma Taccone;
• Bachelorette Party in Vegas by Paul Fig;
• Macho and Nerd by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Don't miss out on High School of Rock, Mean Girls, and Killer Vacation, even though they don't fit into the "best American comedies" category. The fact is that these tapes are the product of a joint production of filmmakers from the United States and other countries.

Superhero but very funny

According to the verdict of film critics, the animated film "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" should definitely be included in the list of significant new American comedies.

Among the feature films, film experts singled out the film by one of the most inventive directors of our time, Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok. 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.

Laughter and wedding

Romantic comedies are a fun movie story about the vicissitudes of love. Many funny American comedies are created in this subgenre.

Comedy masterpieces from the wonderful director Garry Marshall "Overboard" and "Pretty Woman" can serve as a striking example.

In the first comedy, the director explores in detail the question of whether a person can change dramatically if, after amnesia, he finds himself in a radical life situation. The main character of this hilarious romantic-farcical comedy is a selfish rich woman who loses her memory when she falls from a yacht.used by a simple hardworking carpenter, who endured more than once her ridicule and insults. He saves the beauty and convinces her that she is his legal wife and mother of three children. Spoiled by luxury, a lady has to master the duties of a housewife. The roles of key characters in the tape were played by K. Russell and G. Hawn, who were connected by close relationships in real life.

Undeniably romantic, but somewhat cynical, Garry Marshall's take on Cinderella builds on the development of a relationship between a millionaire and a prostitute. An influential oligarch urgently needs a spectacular companion for a party. Without thinking twice, he goes out into the street, hires a "priestess of love" and turns her into a socialite in a few hours. As a result, the financial magnate realizes that she is his true love. The film does not lose its relevance and can claim the status of the most dangerous rom-com of all time, as it convinces that any girl has a chance to become the chosen one of the rich man. The inimitable R. Gere and D. Roberts shone in the lead roles of the project.

These American comedy films are considered exemplary and second only to cult projects.

Legend of the genre

Remembering the old American comedies, it is impossible not to mention the work of Billy Wilder. Experts in the Hollywood film industry are still debating whether Marilyn Monroe can be considered "the most talented actress." Despite this, it is impossible to deny that she was indispensable in certain roles and simply amazing. For example, in the image of an unlucky singer who hoped to captivate a millionaire, but met only saxophonist deceivers in the movie “Only Girls in Jazz”. By the way, most of the plot twists and turns of the now cult tape were borrowed by the director from the film "Fanfare of Love", undeservedly forgotten today. But "Only Girls in Jazz" tops the list of American comedies, considered an enduring classic, proving how important it is to add entertaining dialogue, stylish visuals and superb acting by Marilyn and her screen partners D. Lemmon and T. Curtis to the idea.

With the beautiful Audrey Hepburn

It is quite possible that the modern audience will like two more old American comedies "My Fair Lady" and "How to Steal a Million", united by the participation of the cult actress unsurpassed Audrey Hepburn.

The first picture is a classic film musical based on the play by Bernard Shaw. George Cukor's project received 8 Oscars. The action of the picture takes place in the capital of Great Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. The professor of phonetics claims that he can turn any little girl into a lady by teaching her to speak proper English. Two luminaries of science make a bet, choosing a distressed florist as a test subject. But over time, phonetics classes are transformed into love lessons. However, many funny American comedies demonstrate such a convergence of opposites.

No less impressive is the work of William Wyler "How to stealmillion". A frivolous story with a criminal background and romcom intertwined in the movie. The tape tells the story of a French family who make money on forgery of works of art. The heiress of the clan hires a robber for another scam, not knowing that she is negotiating with a detective. A man, fascinated by a beauty, commits 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 Shainberg's film "Secretary". This project is a more successful study of the psychological characteristics of sadomasochism than the pretentious and publicized "50 Shades of Grey".

Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" also breaks out of the general comedy trends; there is no happy ending traditional for a rom-com in the movie. But don't get hung up on the little things. The essence of the picture is not how it ends, but how recognizable, but insanely romantic, the development of the relationship between two eccentric heroes is shown against the backdrop of the urban landscapes of New York.

Director Harold Ramis dared to mix comedy with sci-fi in Groundhog Day, exploring how long it would take a hardened cynic and egoist to become worthy of love. The protagonist wakes up every February 2, despite his attempts to change the course of events during the day, time returns the man to the starting point. The vicious circle will break at the momentwhen the hero corrects all mistakes and wins the heart of a beautiful colleague.

From the 80s…

American comedy films from the 1980s have their own charm and time period imprint.

In 1989, director Rob Reiner shot the key picture for all modern Hollywood rom-coms, When Harry Met Sally. Considering in detail whether a man and a woman can just remain friends, the director gives the world a surprisingly touching and at the same time very funny story of the main characters, who, after parting, decided to be friends, but in the end give love another chance.

Sidney Pollack earned 10 Oscars with his Tootsie (1982) project. The director proved to the public, using the example of his hero, that acting can be an excellent psychotherapy. The key character, an unemployed entertainer, only finds work by dressing as a woman. Surprisingly, the reincarnation helps him become a better person and eventually win the heart of his partner, who is unaware that she works with a man in disguise every day.

For generation NEXT

The artistic merit of most American teen comedies is questionable. They are traditionally stuffed with black humor and below the belt jokes. Moralists and hypocrites will definitely not like them, however, it is also not worth recommending them for family viewing. But American youth comedies are perfect for a fun pastime in a playful company.

ListThe most noteworthy films are led by the comedy The Hangover, which is unequivocally funnier, more daring and inventive than 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, of course, breathtaking panoramas of Vegas. Not surprisingly, the project soon got two sequels.

The creators of the ironic film "Easy A" 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 community.

About puberty

American student comedies often exploit the vicissitudes of puberty and sex. A striking example is the epic "American Pie", which seamlessly fits into the current Hollywood fashion for politically incorrectness and insolence. The film "Project X: Dorvali" also supports the declared trend - at first unbearable, in the final - homeric funny.

In 2012, Seth MacFarlane proved to the public that a teddy bear of obscene behavior was not enough for a rom-com to be completely happy. In the movie "The Third Extra", he equalizes girlish tenderness and male obscenity characteristic of teenagers.