(no subject)

[novapsyche]

In your opinion, what's the best black (i.e., bitter) comedy to be released on film since 2000?

Comments

[autodidactic.livejournal.com]

I didn't know, so I just spent the last ten minutes looking for anything that even qualified. :(

[xterminal.livejournal.com]

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu. No question.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

I've always kinda liked "Death to Smoochy." But i don't really see a lot of movies, i tend to miss a lot.

[murphyw.livejournal.com]

The Bunny Suicides (or "Return of the Bunny Suicides") are both wonderful books. Not the right media; but about the right time period. I strongly suggest you leaf through them if you come across a copy.

--Bill

[vrax.livejournal.com]

Shadow of the Vampire. One of the best of all time, IMO. Although it was released in 2000, so I dunno if it qualifies.

[the-leewit.livejournal.com]

Many documentaries qualify...

From all those who are jumping up and down on me to go see Little Miss Sunshine, it's possible that this qualifies, but I have not seen it yet.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

You should see it.

[jennkitty.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Thank You for Smoking.

There are others, but I'm currently drawing a blank.

I don't know if I'd count Little Miss Sunshine i didn't find it dark so much as dysfunctional.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

I think Little Miss Sunshine definitely qualifies as a dark comedy, because the jokes are inward and biting as opposed to being slapstick or conventional. If life is a bittersweet experience, black comedies dwell on the bitter while still retaining enough of the sweet for us to smile.

I showed Happiness to yellowmouser this week, and we followed it up with The Squid and the Whale (a movie I'd rented without knowing that he owned it). The former is one that is difficult for me to recommend to others unless I really know them well (that is to say, I don't think they'll be offended and I don't think they'll think badly of me to have recommended it).

I consider Rushmore to be a black comedy. Its goal isn't to keep the audience in stitches but rather to expose the fraying fabric of life; we viewers can't help but chuckling at the stuff that falls out.