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Home , Andie MacDowell, A Fish Called Wanda, David Zucker, Harold Ramis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jerry Zucker

FILM F OCUS INKQUBO-MBALISELO

COMEDIES in the Library Service

Compiled by CHARL SEPTEMBER Hays take the lead roles as a lovelorn couple Otto place an anonymous call to the cops, Audiovisual Librarian, Cataloguing Section forced together by fate, on a flight of utter and George is arrested. But, before he’s mayhem. Sometimes the movie loses some hauled off to prison, he hides the stolen jew- omedy is a genre many people of its gusto but before you can lose interest els where Wanda and Otto can’t find them. overlook when making a film selec- another gag is on the way! The formula In order to reduce his sentence if he’s tion. In my opinion this is a mistake used in Airplane! has become a familiar found guilty, George hints that he might be C one but the movie is still a hoot with its fine willing to reveal the location of the jewels to as this is a stimulating genre and steers the viewer away from the sombre, violent and line between high drama and over the top his barrister, Archie Leach (). As often depressing themes the more serious humour. It also expects a certain amount of a result, the next step in Wanda’s plan is to films expose us to. Comedies allow us to intelligence from the audience, which makes seduce Archie, a mild-mannered lawyer look- have a good laugh, but some of them take a it that much better! (Almar Haflidason). ing for a little romance and excitement. And look at issues people deal with in their daily Wanda, along with a jealous Otto, are on lives and add an element of humour to situa- A fish called Wanda / producer, Michael hand to do more than add just a little spice tions that allows one to see the lighter side. Shamberg; director, . to Archie’s existence. Soon, he’s embroiled The Library Service has built up a large The story centres on a quartet of jewellery in the hilarious caper, and as the situation collection of outstanding films over the store robbers. George (Tom Georgeson) is grows progressively more convoluted, he years which include a number of comedies. the ringleader, the man who has mastermind- learns that stolen jewels can make for very Directors such as , Charles ed the theft. He is assisted by his stuttering, strange bedfellows. Crichton and have produced animal-loving friend, Ken (), and I don’t want to spoil the best parts of some of the best comedies released on film. his girlfriend, Wanda (). But the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it, Films that have been directed by all three Wanda wants the loot all to herself, and, to but suffice to say that directors can be found in the Library Service aid her in getting it away from George, she contains some of the funniest scenes of any collection and have been rated as some of brings her psychotic, Nietzsche-reading lover, movie. One, which features Cleese the best titles in this genre by international Otto () into the gang. After the in top panic-attack form, has Archie facing professional film critics. heist is successfully comple-ted, Wanda and his wife (Maria Aitken) while his would-be Library staff should make their mistress hides behind the couch. Another users aware of the availability of films in features Otto using his most memorable the comedy genre and expose them to line, ‘Don’t call me stupid’, in unforgettable the pleasure of experiencing the relaxing, circumstances. Then there’s Ken, who keeps lighthearted films on offer. I think library on trying to kill an old lady, but ends up pick- users will benefit from the selection of our ing off her canine pets instead. top-notch comedies - after all, laughter is the Nothing is sacred to Cleese, who flouts best medicine! every possible definition of political correct- ness by satirising homosexuals, the British, Airplane! / producer, Jon Davison; the Americans, and stutterers. And, just to directors, , prove that he’s got nothing to hide, Cleese and Jerry Zucker. does one of the most sidesplitting stripteases ever to appear on screen. It’s not erotic, but Airplane! is a comedy that uses a constant what happens immediately afterwards will stream of gags at the expense of many have you doubled over with laughter. big Hollywood dramas. The film uses the Despite the non-stop zaniness, Cleese plot devices from other, more serious films, manages to fashion his screen persona to maximise the comic effect of its own into a likable hero. We quickly come to dialogue and physical comedy, much like the sympathise with Archie, an appealing loser series of recent years. who’s finally getting a chance to break out Stewardess Julie Hagerty and loser Robert of the constrictive shell that has held him 

Kaapse Bibl., Nov/Des 2007 41 F I L M F O CUS INKQUBO-MBALISELO back all his life. As Wanda, Jamie Lee Curtis adoption. Lenny doesn’t want a child, but exudes a playful sexiness. Kevin Kline cre- Amanda does, although she isn’t willing to ates a hilarious Otto; a self-styled ‘intellectual’ sacrifice a year of her life to have one the who’s so stupid that he thinks the London normal, biological way. Eventually, Lenny Underground is a political movement. Finally, gives in and the couple gets a healthy male there’s ex- Michael Palin, who infant, whom they name Max. As the child has lots of fun with his character’s speech grows and Amanda becomes more wrapped impediment. up in her attempts to procure her own art A Fish Called Wanda is one of the best- studio, Lenny fights a growing curiosity to constructed, funniest, and cleverest comedies learn more about his son’s natural mother. to grace motion picture screens in recent Eventually, he sneaks a peek at the adoption years. It’s outrageous, offensive, and even a agency’s records. This leads to a meeting little sick - and all the more enjoyable with Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino), the woman because of it. John Cleese has spent his who gave birth to Max. Much to Lenny’s entire career rejecting conventional comedy, dismay, she turns out to be a statuesque and, on this occasion, there’s no denying that blonde with a helium voice and little in the he has hit pay dirt (James Berardinelli). way of intelligence. Worse still is how she makes her living - her dual career involves starring in porn films and turning $200 tricks / producers, Trevor for a bald-headed, homicidal pimp. Albert and ; director, Woody Allen really only has one on- Harold Ramis. screen personality, and he plays it here as The date is February 2 and the place usual, although, at this point in his career is Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh he’s getting a bit old for roles better suited weatherman Phil Connors (), to someone twenty years his junior. Helena on hand to cover the Groundhog Day cer- Bonham Carter, taking time out from emony, is having one of the most unpleasant Merchant/Ivory type productions, gives a experiences of his life. It’s one of those days snappy turn as a contemporary American when Murphy’s Law seems to be in full ef- woman. The only noticeable acting blot on fect. But Phil soon discovers that things are Mighty Aphrodite is Michael Rapaport, who even worse than they first seemed, because displays the same lack of range and energy for him, and him alone, time has stopped. he showed in Higher Learning. Now, he’s trapped in a bizarre time loop The shining star is, without a doubt, Mira that forces him to re-live Groundhog Day Sorvino (Amongst Friends, Barcelona), giving over and over, with no hope of reprieve or the finest performance of an as-yet short release, and no way of explaining the situa- career. Since Jennifer Tilly earned an Oscar tion to anyone else since he’s the only one nomination for an inferior portrayal of a who realises what’s happening. character of similar intelligence in Bullets It’s deja vu gone mad. Groundhog Day is Groundhog Day isn’t a science fiction or over Broadway, Sorvino deserves at least one of the most original comedies to grace fantasy film, so it’s not interested in answer- that much - if not more. This is a star- the silver screen. With as much repetition ing the technical questions of how the time making outing by one of America’s top as there is, it would be easy for the film to loop came about, or what might happen if young actresses. get bogged down. Solid directing, combined Phil stayed up all night. Instead, it presents The most original element of Mighty with judicious editing, eliminates this prob- the situation to the audience on a take-it-or- Aphrodite is the use of the Greek Cho- lem. The only time we see a scene repeated leave-it basis. I’ll wager that there are few rus. However, what starts out as a clever, is when there’s something new added, and who will choose the latter option. innovative device quickly becomes tedious even then we are re-shown little more than With all of the formula-driven, painfully through overuse. The Chorus seems always what’s necessary for the effect. unfunny comedies available, it’s a pleasure to to be on hand to make pithy remarks, and The humour is of a higher calibre than uncover something as unique as Ground- their presence becomes intrusive. At times, that found in most so-called comedies. hog Day. This movie has all the qualities it’s as if Woody Allen is attempting to tak e Absent are the inane sight gags and puns necessary to be a crowd-pleaser: likable a page out of the Monty Python book, and of films like Hexed and Loaded weapon 1. characters, charismatic performers, a strong, those two very different styles of humour Instead, Groundhog Day finds its humour capably-executed premise, and lots of laughs do not mix well. in situations and characters. Making use of (James Berardinelli). While not up to the level of many of Bill Murray’s talent as a comedian, the film Allen’s recent films, Mighty Aphrodite is encourages him to play off of the more seri- Mighty Aphrodite / producer, Robert nevertheless an entertaining diversion. The ous Andie MacDowell. While the chemistry Greenhut; director, Woody Allen. comedy, most of which is light and easily between them isn’t smouldering, they work The story opens with Lenny and wife accessible, is worthy of some laughs, and the well together. Their characters’ romance is Amanda (, sans pe- movie has a good sense of irony. Mighty credible because it’s low-key. riod costumes and British accent) discussing Aphrodite is far from a tour de force, and

Cape Libr., Nov/Dec 2007 42 F I L M F O CUS INKQUBO-MBALISELO

some Woody Allen die-hards may be disap- marriage (that’s playing it pointed, but there’s enough in this picture to like JR on Prozac, folks). recommend it (James Berardinelli). When Marilyn approaches Miles to outline their prenuptial agreement, he’s right to smell a rat. But it’s not long before the Best in show / producer, Karen Murphy; sweet scent of love is overpowering his director, Christopher Guest. senses. Many people, this reviewer included, be- Clooney is pitch perfect, matching Cary lieve to be the funniest film Grant for impeccable comic timing and of all time. So when you hear that dopey deadpan delivery. Equipped with the Coens’ guitarist Nigel Tufnel, alias actor/writer/direc- trademark snap-crackle dialogue, he zips tor Christopher Guest, is ready to unleash through the gags so fast you might actually another slice of ‘mock-doc’ on the world, it is spot his feet leaving the ground. Although fair to expect great things. lacking the whiplash tongue of Katharine And you won’t be disappointed. This time, Hepburn, Zeta-Jones offers a neat counter- the backstage shenanigans of an eighties rock balance, like a slow-burning flame alongside band are replaced with the surreal world of Clooney’s storming performance. professional dog shows. Among its oddball The transparency of her deception can citizens are Gerry and Cookie Fleck (Eugene sometimes dent the credibility of their Levy and Catherine O’Hara), a buck-toothed burgeoning love, although that’s actually a wet blanket and ex-nymphomaniac respec- fault of the script. The final verdict? On the tively; a neurotic, overly-competitive couple; charge that Intolerable cruelty is one of the and a gay couple - perhaps the only really most inspired, scathing, and downright side- happy ones of the bunch. splitting comedies to come out of Hollywood Brilliantly observed, acerbically funny, Best in 2003: Guilty (Stella Papamichael). in show is even more impressive for the fact The comedies in the Library Service that it is largely improvised, a fact that should collection are of the highest quality and will remind everyone that the whole cast de- certainly provide loads of entertainment to serve equal acclaim for the non-stop laughs. the users. I am sure that people will find Managing to take the mickey out of a pretty these movies relaxing and explore the genre absurd pastime, it also maintains affection for with more interest in the future. There are its subjects other similarly-themed movies many more titles in the collection to choose fail to do. from - a few follow below. It would be unfair to compare it point blank with the pure genius that is Tap, but suffice to say, while this may not have Other comedy titles on DVD the same effect on the cultural landscape  Amelie that the former did, this remains a unique,  Anchorman: the legend of Ron Burgundy entertaining, and most importantly, incredibly funny film (Ben Falk).  Arsenic and old lace   Bend it like Beckham Intolerable cruelty / producers, Ethan Coen and Brian Grazer; director, Joel  East is East Coen. Sources While Intolerable cruelty is a few shades lighter than the ’ best work, http://www.reelviews.net/movies/f/fish.html any objections about lowbrow condescen- http://www.reelviews.net/movies/g/groundhog. sion are swiftly overruled in 99 minutes html of high class action. What’s more, let the http://www.reelviews.net/movies/m/mighty.html record show that it surpasses the precedent set by Hepburn versus Grant in the case of http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/03/13/air- Bringing up baby (1938). plane_1980_review.shtml is hotshot divorce attor- http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/10/09/intoler- ney Miles Massey, and Catherine Zeta-Jones able_cruelty_2003_review.shtml his latest courtroom casualty - gold-digger http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/02/28/best_ Marilyn Rexroth. After stumping her efforts in_show_2001_review.shtml to fleece husband Rex Rexroth (Edward Herrmann), she sets about taking revenge. Oh, and oil baron Howard Doyle’s hand in

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