What is funny?

faceman

Ive been meaning to post a thread like this for some type as its often a pub topic with friends. Its hard to ask the question in a short fashion so i will try get my point across in a paragraph.

What defines what funny and what is classically funny? What do i mean? Well, i dont like dumb and dumber. I hate Chuck and larry. Yet many people find these films hilarious. I find them boring and unfunny as do many others. I find films like Spinal tap, some like it hot, most chris guest films, to name but a few hilarious. So why is that? Spinal tap is considered a classic, yet there are people who dont get it.

Does it come down to the intelligence of a film? Maybe so. Films which use the lowest common demoniator for all their jokes are plain silly and predictable in my view.

whats your thoughts on comedies?

Eirebear

I have to agree with certain aspects of your argument here, but on the same token im not so sure.
I'm a massive fan of old fashioned Chaplin, Marx Brothers style slapstick humour (and wordplay in the case of Groucho), yet physical comedy in film nowadays tends to lean towards the "gross out" scene meaning bodily fluids and fart jokes, which for me is just not funny, yet Walter matthau, jack lemon and co. werent averse to using these same ideals in there gags.
The difference for me being that the old fashioned stuff had something to say, be it satirical, political, whatever...they still had a point whereas your dumb and dumbers and something about mary's didnt have anything other than the bog standard hollywood message of being yourself etc etc.

As for the spinal tap style of comedy, i find that it needs to be VERY good before it works for me. Little Miss Sunshine was one of the funniest films i have seen in a long time, yet the idea of a TV programme with Ricky Gervais in it doesnt make me laugh...it just makes me squirm and feel uncomfortable, theres a thin line.

I had a conversation about "intelligence" with a freind recently relating to football chants, where the level of wit and intelligence involved will always find its way to the lowest common denominator..that way ensuring the largest amount of people will find it appealing and understandable.
I suppose this works the same way for film?

c - 13

The two lots of examples you give can possibly be described as follows -

Examples
American Pie/Dumb & Dumber/Chuck & Larry
Comedy Type
Teen Comedies/Gross Out Comedy/Slapstick style
Overview
Comedy based mostly around people falling, fart jokes and uncomfortable situations. Some people find this to be the lowest kind of humour. Personally I dont mind it.

Examples
Spinal Tap/Withnail & I/Best In Show
Comedy Type
Mocumentary/Verbal Wit/Sarcasm
Overview
Jokes are mostly spoken and often dont involve visual props at all. Some of these movies would be more tailored for certain groups (spinal tap being a good example). Some people find that these sort of comedies are only enjoyed by people who want to be onsidered cult movie fans :rolleyes:

Of the two types listed (and i'm sure there could be many more types) I prefer the second genre. Theres something about a quick retort or a witty comment played at exactly the right time.

That said I have been known to enjoy the first on occasion as it tend to overlap with the Comedy Horror genre.

(I hate genres )

Nolanger

A man dressed in a gorilla suit wearing a ballet costume and dancing.
Laurel and Hardy classic.