Comedy is an acquired taste. It either works or it doesn’t work, there is very little in between. And yet, when it does work, comedy can be the most fulfilling and entertaining type of cinema. It can instantly break down your barriers of disbelief and immediately bring a smile to your face.
10. Finding Nemo
Pixar revolutionized animation and their 2003 film about a paternal clownfish setting off on a journey across the ocean to find his son has become a favorite of audiences across the world. The company – beginning as the graphics arm of George Lucas’ special-effects studio – quickly progressed throughout the 1980s as computers became more powerful. During the 1990s, Pixar was struggling so began to make animated commercials for outside clients. In 1995, Disney agreed to help produce an animated feature film. The film was Toy Story, the rest, as they say, is history.
9. City Lights
Charlie Chaplin was, and posthumously remains, one of the greatest silent film comedians. Although he made many classic and much-loved comedies such as Modern Times, The Tramp, A Dog’s Life, The Gold Rush, and sound pictures The Great Dictator and Limelight, City Lights has remained his greatest achievement. The film sees Chaplin’s comic creation and reoccurring character Tramp falling in love with a blind girl whose family are having financial trouble. The Tramp befriends a wealthy man allowing him to help the girl in her moment of need.
8. Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb
Stanley Kubrick later proved he could adapt to any genre but his 1964 comedy about a world on the brink of World War III is a brilliant deconstruction and satire of hypocritical politics. The film features one of Peter Sellers finest performances, playing three different characters, including the deliciously dark, Hitler-loving ex-Nazi Dr. Strangelove.
7. Forrest Gump
Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film based on the novel of the same name by Winston Groom was an instant hit. Its tale of the life of a simple-minded man, growing up and interacting with the world’s most recognised politicians and celebrities, and having an unknowing affect on some of history’s most important events, struck a chord with audiences all over the globe. Tom Hanks delivers one of his finest performances, and Robert Zemeckis’ use of real footage and fictional retelling makes for a unique and authentic movie experience.
6. The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski, a 1998 comedy by sibling directors Joel and Ethan Coen, is one of the funniest modern comedies to come out of Hollywood in the last twenty years. Jeff Bridges is irresistible as The Dude, a ten-pin bowling-loving slacker, who unwittingly finds himself caught up in a kidnapping plot. Ably supported by Steve Buscemi and John Goodman, who both turn out brilliant comic performances, The Big Lebowski remains the Coen’s best movie.
5. Annie Hall
Written, directed, and starring Woody Allen, Annie Hall is Allen’s finest piece of work. His characters have depth and their relationships feel real. His knack of finding drama in the almost mundane is one of his strengths but what makes Annie Hall stand out, along with the performances of Allen and Diana Keaton, is the fact it is so funny. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert calls the films: “Everyone’s favorite Woody Allen movie.”
4. Sullivan’s Travels
Sullivan’s Travels is Preston Sturges 1941 film that satires the era of the studio system in Hollywood. It follows the struggle of a film director (Joel McCrea) to get his social-conscience movie off the ground. Veronica Lake is deliciously alluring as the director’s muse. Sullivan’s Travels was chosen in 1990 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
3. The Apartment
Billy Wilder is arguably Hollywood’s finest director so it’s no surprise two of his films appear on this top ten list. The Apartment, released in 1960, stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, and tells the tale of Lemmon’s reserved office clerk who allows his bosses to use his apartment for extramarital love affairs. The plan to get promoted works but at a cost. Lemmon falls for one of the bosses women – played by Shirley MacLaine – and has to choose between love or career. The film is a delightful comedy that was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning five.
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
British comedy team Monty Python were a massive success in the UK with their television show Flying Circus. Their brand of comedy crossed the pond and took America by storm, leading to the opportunity to make movies. Of all the movies the Monty Python’s made, Holy Grail stands out as their best. Starring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, and Terry Jones, the film spoofs the legend of King Arthur with a series of plot-linked sketches.
1. Some Like It Hot
Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, was rated by the American Film Institute as the best comedy movie ever made. The film sees Lemmon and Curtis’ struggling musicians having to run from the mob after witnessing a murder. They join an all-girl band by dressing up as women and calling themselves Josephine and Geraldine. But soon enough Joe falls in love with one of the girls, and Jerry, still in his female disguise, unwittingly attracts the attention of millionaire Osgood Fielding III. It all makes for madcap fun and outrageous comedy.
