Orientalism is a self centered mindset that does not allow Westerners to open up their minds to the Middle Eastern region. We believe that living in the Western world gives us authority over the Orient, and contributes to our thinking that Western nations are superior. We need to move past this way of thinking or we will not be able to expand our minds to other viewpoints in the world.
A modern day example that sticks out to me is when 9/11 took place. America rightfully went into a state of panic, but since that day our view of people from the Middle East is that they are all terrorists who are trying to harm America. We generalized one small terrorist group as the entire Middle East, and deemed those people as dangerous and threats to our society. I would say that many Americans have some form of prejudice against people from the Middle East, and when they see someone walking down the street (fully covered up in their clothing)-specify a sense of fear rises in them.
These stereotypes of the people and culture within the Middle East can become very toxic especially when they are portrayed on television shows and movies. Whenever you see a television show that has the Middle East in it, they are always portrayed as the terrorist threat. This constant visual reminder overshadows every wonderful part about their culture and religion that Americans seem to forget about. Everything about their culture seems foreign to us, and we focus on their differences instead of remembering that all of us are human.
I can not imagine being someone from the Middle East living in America, and the stereotypes they have to face everyday. The Western world needs to focus on including everybody, and getting rid of perception that we are the dominating region over the orient.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Friday, March 29, 2019
The Women of Agualongo
I spent second semester of my Junior year with The Traveling School: an all-female semester school that travels through three different countries with five female teachers. We traveled through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, as our global studies class constantly raised questions about "development" and the weight that idea carries. For one week, we were all paired off with a family in a small, rural, indigenous town in Ecuador. All of the families' first language was Quichua. Home stays was the most pivotal week for me.
I was led into a small house grounded with dirt floors. Women of the Agualongo community knelt around big metal pots as others hovered over, holding skinned guinea pigs. They kneaded dough with all the strength in their bodies, occasionally stopping to share stories. The men of the community intermittently walked through the doorway, delivering ingredients and asking if their assistance was needed. All of them participated in the communal cooking in preparation for Dia Del Campo -- a village-wide luncheon.
Prior to the semester, if someone were to ask me, "What three things come to mind when you hear the word development?" I would most likely think of tall skyscrapers, ivory-tower education, and affordable healthcare. If someone were to ask me the same question now, I would say, "A lot more than three things come to mind."
Education, infrastructure, and healthcare would still come to mind when I hear the word development, but I've realized development does not look the same universally. Development may involve a barter-trade system or a community based off of agriculture. Development may even involve a community of women gathering in a single kitchen to knead dough and cook guinea pigs.
Orientalism arises when we view unfamiliar societies as "savage" rather than different. The women and men of Agualongo showed me a new means of living. The savage/civilized binary is a construct of the Western World -- a way for the West to assert its power. My semester shattered any thoughts I had of that binary actually existing.
I was led into a small house grounded with dirt floors. Women of the Agualongo community knelt around big metal pots as others hovered over, holding skinned guinea pigs. They kneaded dough with all the strength in their bodies, occasionally stopping to share stories. The men of the community intermittently walked through the doorway, delivering ingredients and asking if their assistance was needed. All of them participated in the communal cooking in preparation for Dia Del Campo -- a village-wide luncheon.
Prior to the semester, if someone were to ask me, "What three things come to mind when you hear the word development?" I would most likely think of tall skyscrapers, ivory-tower education, and affordable healthcare. If someone were to ask me the same question now, I would say, "A lot more than three things come to mind."
Education, infrastructure, and healthcare would still come to mind when I hear the word development, but I've realized development does not look the same universally. Development may involve a barter-trade system or a community based off of agriculture. Development may even involve a community of women gathering in a single kitchen to knead dough and cook guinea pigs.
Orientalism arises when we view unfamiliar societies as "savage" rather than different. The women and men of Agualongo showed me a new means of living. The savage/civilized binary is a construct of the Western World -- a way for the West to assert its power. My semester shattered any thoughts I had of that binary actually existing.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Orientalism in Israel
It was a sweltering day in the peak hours of sunlight, glimmering off of the waters of Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast of Israel. I had arrived for the first time a few days ago, without any expectations of discovering some arbitrary connection to God, but undoubtedly with more than a few fears and preconceptions concerning my own safety. It was Israel in 2018, after all.
I was admiring the beauty of the ocean, soaking in the history from the ruins, and all the while wondering what it must have been like for those before me who lived and breathed right where I was standing. I wasn't thinking about what I already knew about Israel, or Judaism, or my own family's history. I was simply existing. For a fleeting moment, the news opinions on Israel and Jews and the presidentially-endorsed antisemitism in my own country dissipated. But it truly was for just one simple moment, and then reality came crashing down.
I was admiring the beauty of the ocean, soaking in the history from the ruins, and all the while wondering what it must have been like for those before me who lived and breathed right where I was standing. I wasn't thinking about what I already knew about Israel, or Judaism, or my own family's history. I was simply existing. For a fleeting moment, the news opinions on Israel and Jews and the presidentially-endorsed antisemitism in my own country dissipated. But it truly was for just one simple moment, and then reality came crashing down.
We walked away from the water, the trance broken but our spirits still high. As the guide led us away from the shoreline, we came upon a group of children who appeared to be on a school trip. They looked like they were in elementary school, and in the moment I thought they were probably Jewish due to where we were. The kids looked at us, the American tourists, with faces that quickly turned from confused to amused. I did not understand their amusement to be anything other than childhood wonder and excitement, but I was about to find out how wrong I was. Feeling their gaze, I smiled and said "Shalom," the Hebrew word for "Hello." They smiled back at me, but their smiles held weight. Patronizingly, these young children collectively began saying "Hello" in the best, mock-American accents they could manage, giggling amongst themselves. The kids on my trip thought they were just messing with us, but I took it very, very differently.
In that moment, I witnessed first-hand the effects of Orientalism like I'd never known it before. I felt the guilt of being a Westerner as I noticed how these young Middle-Eastern kids felt the responsibility to know English for any given tourist from the West, or at least they had been taught to be ready for us from youth. I felt like I was invading their space simply by being there, and I felt confused and hurt that as a Jew in the Jewish part of Israel that I was rejected for my Westernness, when all I had been told about my trip was that Israel was supposed to be my homeland.
Since my trip, I've learned that Israel is home to many, and to those who live there, it's quite possible that not every part of their identity and history is completely welcome. I didn't quite feel Jewish enough, and I didn't quite want to feel completely Western, so I was stuck in a limbo that I can only imagine is being felt across the entire country, too. The controversy of Western Jews' "allegiance" to Israel finally made sense in my mind, having felt the pull of both sides in a simple 30 second interaction with some of the country's youngest, most innocent natives. Putting a name to the phenomenon after reading Edward Said's work on Orientalism brings clarity to the situation, but it only makes me realize just how pervasive it is. I'm left with a hunger for more knowledge on the subject so that one day, I may travel back to Israel with a political fluency and a personal pride in all parts of my identity, without preconceptions or prejudices.
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Has Orientalism Spoiled Future Depictions of Asian/American Culture?
Edward Said's theory of Orientalism inspired widespread discussion about the depiction of Asian and Middle Eastern cultures in art, literature, movies, and TV. Orientalism, the racist, exotic western depiction of eastern cultures, is all over in western culture. The definition of this pattern as Orientalism leads to people being way more aware of the racist undertones of stereotypical settings and people whenever white people stop by the Middle East in a movie.
Part of Said's Orientalist theory is recognizing that after being exposed to the exotic, mystical nature of Orientalist depictions of Asia, many people from the west will only see that outlandish picture of a place in Asia or an Asian culture even when actually exposed to it. A white person making a movie about Egypt might go to Egypt to research the culture and places in an attempt at realism and still be previously conditioned to expect to see a beautiful exotic bazaar, which might make their trip to a random marketplace into a mysterious adventure. Their depiction of Egyptian culture, then, would be the way they saw Egypt through someone else's pre-planted expectations for that culture.
If this self-sustaining circle really is the case with creators, however, then the question becomes: will we ever be able to see a realistic representation of other, specifically Asian, cultures? The answer, however, appears to be a simple one: don't try to tell a truthful story about a culture that you don't really know. That is not to say that a white person can never tell a story about a person who is not white. It is, however, to say, that creators and artists need to be aware of their biased interpretation of other cultures and allow that to inform their decision about writing about those cultures.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Moving Past Orientalism
I think that we all have an Orientalist mindset, even if we don’t always realize it. We have perceptions of people from different countries even if we have never been there or have ever met anyone from that country. And, we use orientalism as a lens to create stereotypes about people from the middle east. Orientalism is portrayed throughout our society, in historical paintings, art, literature, films, and media. People wanted to explain others who look different than they do, so that they knew how to conquer them. But, people display these stereotypes that they create as though they are facts.
The same images of monsters, mystery, and women comes up when people research the Middle East, even though these images doesn’t accurately depict their culture or ideals. These images created stereotypes that all Middle Eastern people are mysterious or dangerous.
I think that we can’t avoid looking at media that perpetuates these harmful stereotypes. They are a part of our everyday society, whether we realize it or not.
Orientalism can be extremely harmful because It creates an fake image of what people are really like, without using history and facts. It makes more privileged people look down upon and mistreat people from the Middle East, even though they know nothing about them. It also forces Middle Eastern people to see themselves in a bad light, because they are constantly put down because of how they look to others.
I think that we can move past this by spreading more information about the Middle East, from Middle Eastern people. We have to spread historical information based on facts, rather than perpetuating stereotypes. I think that it’s important that it comes from a Middle Eastern person because they have actually lived through real Middle Eastern experiences. If the information comes from a privileged European person, they might view the Middle East with the prejudice they have gained from media, or their “oriental lens.”
The same images of monsters, mystery, and women comes up when people research the Middle East, even though these images doesn’t accurately depict their culture or ideals. These images created stereotypes that all Middle Eastern people are mysterious or dangerous.
I think that we can’t avoid looking at media that perpetuates these harmful stereotypes. They are a part of our everyday society, whether we realize it or not.
Orientalism can be extremely harmful because It creates an fake image of what people are really like, without using history and facts. It makes more privileged people look down upon and mistreat people from the Middle East, even though they know nothing about them. It also forces Middle Eastern people to see themselves in a bad light, because they are constantly put down because of how they look to others.
I think that we can move past this by spreading more information about the Middle East, from Middle Eastern people. We have to spread historical information based on facts, rather than perpetuating stereotypes. I think that it’s important that it comes from a Middle Eastern person because they have actually lived through real Middle Eastern experiences. If the information comes from a privileged European person, they might view the Middle East with the prejudice they have gained from media, or their “oriental lens.”
Orientalism Today
The Orientalist mindset continues to be pervasive in nearly every aspect of Western culture. Orientalism is essentially an over generalization of Middle Eastern culture in order to establish it as regressive and "other" compared to the West. In today's media perhaps the most prominent and harmful application of Orientalism can be seen in the treatment of Islam.
Media in the modern United States often promotes untrue stereotypes of Muslims while erasing the realities of Middle Eastern, especially Islamic, culture. This reduction of culture is especially characteristic of Orientalism. Studies of media have found that most depictions of Muslims portray them in a negative light. Often they associate Islam with terrorism in order to portray Muslims as a threat to Western society. This idea does not take into account the reality that a very small minority of Muslims advocate violence, which itself is against the scripture of Islam. By focusing on issues such as mistreatment of women, for example, without any depiction of the views of a Muslim woman, the media exacerbates the divide between Western constructions of Middle Eastern life and the reality experienced by its inhabitants. This issue cannot be resolved until Muslim people are represented in media and depictions of Islam, both good and bad, are proportional to frequency at which they occur.
This modern Orientalism has real life consequences that should not go unmentioned. Islamophobic rhetoric in media translates into Islamophobic actions in reality. As of 2010, 48% of Americans reported feeling prejudiced towards Muslims while they make up one of the smallest minority groups in the country. Over the last few years physical and verbal violence against Muslims in the United States has increased markedly. The Orientalist ideology that we promote through our portrayals of Middle Eastern Islamic people has consequences that should not be forgotten.
Media in the modern United States often promotes untrue stereotypes of Muslims while erasing the realities of Middle Eastern, especially Islamic, culture. This reduction of culture is especially characteristic of Orientalism. Studies of media have found that most depictions of Muslims portray them in a negative light. Often they associate Islam with terrorism in order to portray Muslims as a threat to Western society. This idea does not take into account the reality that a very small minority of Muslims advocate violence, which itself is against the scripture of Islam. By focusing on issues such as mistreatment of women, for example, without any depiction of the views of a Muslim woman, the media exacerbates the divide between Western constructions of Middle Eastern life and the reality experienced by its inhabitants. This issue cannot be resolved until Muslim people are represented in media and depictions of Islam, both good and bad, are proportional to frequency at which they occur.
This modern Orientalism has real life consequences that should not go unmentioned. Islamophobic rhetoric in media translates into Islamophobic actions in reality. As of 2010, 48% of Americans reported feeling prejudiced towards Muslims while they make up one of the smallest minority groups in the country. Over the last few years physical and verbal violence against Muslims in the United States has increased markedly. The Orientalist ideology that we promote through our portrayals of Middle Eastern Islamic people has consequences that should not be forgotten.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Gun Control and Dramatic Irony
Comedy is unique in the way that it is a way to speak about difficult social issues in a somewhat light-hearted sense. It makes people laugh and be able to discuss deeper social issues in a way that does not compromise a person's feelings or the severity of the issue at hand. The role of comedy on our nation, in particular, is very important as it is a way that we are able to use our free speech to poke fun at absurdities throughout our nation. One example of this is during one of Jim Jefferies stand up comedy shows where he discusses the ridiculous gun control laws of the United States. He uses forms of satire like the situational irony of a safe gun owner defending his home to comment on the flawed arguments of many gun owners throughout the country. He states that "responsible" gun owners keep their guns in a protected safe and only use the guns for defense of their homes, yet explains the weakness of this argument during a fictional story of a gun owner having the intruder wait to attack him/her while they open up their safe.
Along with this Jefferies uses comedy to discuss American's anger towards immigrants and their imperialistic thoughts about their nation being the best. As used in this sense comedy is a great way to convey messages to a group of people in a way that helps people converse in manners that are productive, therefore, spreading the overall conversation of darker issues eventually leading to change. Without satire and comedy, there would be a struggle in talking about human conditions that seem taboo or hard to discuss giving extreme importance to comedy in our society and world.
Kimmy Schmidt and Her Unbreakable Satire
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a Netflix series that follows the life of a woman after she was released from a bunker, where she spent 15 years after being kidnapped by a overly religious man as a child. The show follows her life as she decides to live in New York City as she tries to make a name for herself. The show touches on a myriad of issues that are dealt with in the modern day. Kimmy learns to deal with all the struggles of life especially as a woman in today's society. The show uses the fact that she has been out of society for so long as a way to reveal all of societies ridiculous social norms along with bringing light to deep rooted problems within the world.
The show does a great job on using a hyperbole of Kimmy's naive child sense to comment on the absurdness of our society. Mainly they use the platform to speak out about PTSD and how people deal with it in the nation. The trauma that Kimmy experiences in the bunker follows her around as she tries to deal with her new life in the city whether its waking up because of night terrors to fighting random people on the street that remind Kimmy of her past experiences. These hyperbolic actions show the real day to day problems that some people face and the struggles of having to deal with these problems, whether they are trying to forget the past or going to therapy. Along with the PTSD The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt uses hyperbolic characters like Titus to comment on deep issues such as race and sexual orientation. Overall the show's use outlandish humor and simple-mindedness to discuss deep and difficult conversations about race, sexual orientation and PTSD is brilliant and is a good use of humor to comment on our modern society and the stereotypes that come with it.
Western Orientalism
Western culture has a Orientalist mindset and it is most clearly seen in film. It is very common to picture the enemy of a country as evil in movies. For example, Nazis during WWII or Russians during the Cold War. It is also common for Middle Eastern people, especially men, to be pictured as bad guys and this has only increased since 9/11. For example in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana finds himself accidentally arriving in India. A tribesman takes him into his village where the he learns of a Kali-worshiping group that has taken the village children as slaves at a palace near by. Upon arriving at the palace, the food served includes monkey brains, a snake with beetles inside, and many other foods that are supposed to be cultural but really aren’t real dishes eaten in India. The palace is also secretly hiding a cult that is still practicing inhumane rituals for the Hindu goddess Kali. This depiction of Indian culture and religion isn’t factual and warps people’s perception of the country and culture. Because Middle Eastern people are made to be the bad guy in films, this stereotype becomes ingrained into society both consciously and unconsciously. To overcome this Orientalist mindset, we need to not let our preconceived generalizations cloud our judgement when we learn about the Middle East or come in contact with Middle Eastern people. The assumption that they are all bad and terrorists is unrealistic as well as completely untrue. By having an open mindset, we can begin to diminish these stereotypes.
Life in Orientalism
I think that people do have an Orientalist mindset because it has been ingrained in people's minds. People see the East as a terrorist territory. We see it on TV and in the media saying that people from the Middle East are all terrorists simply because they are from the Middle East. Especially after 9/11 people became very scared of Muslims and their religion, even though not every Muslim is a terrorist just like not every Catholic hates gay people. But people have heard these stories and myths and so instead of taking them as such, they take them as facts. They see the East as mysterious and they know very little about the area and what they do know is negative. The consequences of this mindset is that it makes people closed-minded, they see the Middle East as a place where terrorists live and where they have limited access to water, they see this and decide not to go and by making this decision they then don’t see how the Middle East is and they stay closed minded. We can move beyond this mindset by traveling to the Middle East itself or talking to someone who has been there or is from the East. This will help them see the East in a new light and hopefully change their mind out of Orientalism. If this is to continue it will drive a bigger and bigger wedge in between the two groups and make it Us VS. Them and people will stay close-minded about the East and the stereotype will continue.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Comedy can be beautiful
I feel that Comedy has the ability to take the form as meaningful art. In Me Before You, a romantic comedy, it may not be looking to teach you, or leave remarkable impact on your life, but it does make you feel varying emotions.
The story was about a man paralyzed from the neck down, forced to take the company of young woman, initially because she was paid. As she quickly learned that he was sour company, and did not want to live with a pleasant attitude. As she persevered through his negativity, they learned to appreciate each other, and the sides of life they did not know about. The woman was left with drastic news, and tried to fight it until the end, but while she did, she learned to love the man.
This story did not end on a positive outcome for one party, but a pleasant situation for the other. While watching this movie, you could have the classic rollercoaster of emotions that feel planned for each movie. You feel for this movie, when it's supposed to pleasant, when it's supposed to be negative. Or you have cynical viewpoint that looks at each turn of the story as common and basic and unrealistic images for relationships. However it makes you feel, that's what it does: make you FEEL.
That, is why I feel that, Comedy is a meaningful art.
The story was about a man paralyzed from the neck down, forced to take the company of young woman, initially because she was paid. As she quickly learned that he was sour company, and did not want to live with a pleasant attitude. As she persevered through his negativity, they learned to appreciate each other, and the sides of life they did not know about. The woman was left with drastic news, and tried to fight it until the end, but while she did, she learned to love the man.
This story did not end on a positive outcome for one party, but a pleasant situation for the other. While watching this movie, you could have the classic rollercoaster of emotions that feel planned for each movie. You feel for this movie, when it's supposed to pleasant, when it's supposed to be negative. Or you have cynical viewpoint that looks at each turn of the story as common and basic and unrealistic images for relationships. However it makes you feel, that's what it does: make you FEEL.
That, is why I feel that, Comedy is a meaningful art.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Margot Robbie's Beautiful Perception
In Vogue's work of Margot Robbie's morning routine, the use of a parody was used to poke fun at the lengths wealthy people go to reach an image of perfection. The parody was her reenacting a scene from American Psycho. She woke up in the morning, to "make a video" of her morning getting ready routine, but as she did so, she spoke in a mysterious monotone voice. To achieve her level of beauty, you would need to replicate her exact routine, of exuberant peels, masks, and unpronounceable products. The video used a parody, the imitation of someone's work, to ridicule how the image of women is always in need to reach absurd levels of perfection. The video itself is similar to videos today about morning routines, and how to look like a specific person if you follow their routine.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
In Defense of Comedy
While there are plenty of examples of comedies, whether they be movies or TV shows, that are absolutely worthless and have no substance, comedy can prove to be a valuable tool to deliver serious meaning and bring change. School of Rock is a perfect example of a comedy that is meaningful while being funny.
The movie follows a guitarist who was kicked out of his band and ends up impersonating a substitute teacher at a snobbish private school. He introduces the students to rock and roll which was very frowned upon at the school so that they can enter a battle of the bands to win the money he needs to pay his rent. The students end up being extremely talented and love playing music which leads them to win the competition.
On the outside School of Rock seems like another pointless comedy however it touches on themes that many comedies share such as the discovery of one's identity and the importance of embracing and loving said identity. In the case of School of Rock the kids who at first rejected rock and roll realize their talent and their love for music. School of Rock pleads that its viewers embrace their inner creativity and personality to make the world a brighter and more enjoyable place.
Comedies are important because they ensure that world keeps some of its fun as it contrasts from all of the dramas, tragedies and depressing stories that seem to consume the media. Comedies also play the hugely important role in maintaining individuality through emphasizing the importance of embracing one's self identity as School of Rock does. Comedies and other serious forms of art all can and should coexist to maintain a balanced world.
The movie follows a guitarist who was kicked out of his band and ends up impersonating a substitute teacher at a snobbish private school. He introduces the students to rock and roll which was very frowned upon at the school so that they can enter a battle of the bands to win the money he needs to pay his rent. The students end up being extremely talented and love playing music which leads them to win the competition.
On the outside School of Rock seems like another pointless comedy however it touches on themes that many comedies share such as the discovery of one's identity and the importance of embracing and loving said identity. In the case of School of Rock the kids who at first rejected rock and roll realize their talent and their love for music. School of Rock pleads that its viewers embrace their inner creativity and personality to make the world a brighter and more enjoyable place.
Comedies are important because they ensure that world keeps some of its fun as it contrasts from all of the dramas, tragedies and depressing stories that seem to consume the media. Comedies also play the hugely important role in maintaining individuality through emphasizing the importance of embracing one's self identity as School of Rock does. Comedies and other serious forms of art all can and should coexist to maintain a balanced world.
Monday, March 4, 2019
The Injury
In the episode The Injury, in the show The Office, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) burns his foot on a George Foreman grill and demands attention from everyone in the Dunder Mifflin Scranton office.
This would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions. Michael Scott is an "average to below average" in terms of moral character which helps him fill the role of the comic hero. He is not worthless to the plot nor the story line, he is also the manager of the Scranton branch. The ordinary people in this episode are the rest of the employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch. Dwight who rushes to Michael's aid, Pam who answers the phone as she is the receptionist in this episode. She tends to be a plain and everyday figure in this setting. Unlike Michael's high position in power, the rest of the employee's are under Michael's management. The Office is farce and satirical comedy. The characters are overly ridiculous, more expressive and dramatic than actual day to day people. Some characters, like Michael in The Injury, are hypocritical as Michael only cares about his injured foot and not Dwight's well being after getting a concussion due to the crash into the pole while picking up Michael. Due to these reasons, The Injury would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions.
This would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions. Michael Scott is an "average to below average" in terms of moral character which helps him fill the role of the comic hero. He is not worthless to the plot nor the story line, he is also the manager of the Scranton branch. The ordinary people in this episode are the rest of the employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch. Dwight who rushes to Michael's aid, Pam who answers the phone as she is the receptionist in this episode. She tends to be a plain and everyday figure in this setting. Unlike Michael's high position in power, the rest of the employee's are under Michael's management. The Office is farce and satirical comedy. The characters are overly ridiculous, more expressive and dramatic than actual day to day people. Some characters, like Michael in The Injury, are hypocritical as Michael only cares about his injured foot and not Dwight's well being after getting a concussion due to the crash into the pole while picking up Michael. Due to these reasons, The Injury would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions.
The Princess Bride: Romance, Comedy, or Romantic Comedy?
The Princess Bride is a comedy that has stood the test of time and is known for its great storytelling. It begins with a boy who is home sick and his grandpa comes to read to him. As he reads, the viewer then watches the story, so much so that you forget it’s even being told. Within the book, Wesley, a farm hand, is in love with a girl named Buttercup but he is sent off to sea where he becomes the “Dread Pirate Roberts” in secrecy and fakes his own death. Buttercup’s heartbreak makes her vow to never love again. Then there are Inigo, Vezzini, and Fezzik. These are three con men who want to start a war between Florin and Guilder by kidnapping the princess to-be, Buttercup. Throughout the rest of the movie these main characters become friends, enemies, lovers, and teammates.
The Princess Bride shows characteristics of almost all types of comedy, the first being farce. Although it uses satire and a deeper sense of comedy, there also still those comedic moments when, for example, the Albino gets hit on the head so hard he becomes unconscious, Inigo falls face first into his food, and when Fezzik and Inigo play childish rhyming games. If The Princess Bride was only a farce, it would still be a fantastic movie, but they take their comedy even further.
The Princess Bride is also a romantic comedy because the heart of the story is love story between Wesley and Buttercup. However, because of the funny lines, exaggerated action, things that clearly are not real or are clearly staged, The Princess Bride isn’t just a romance movie.
The Princess Bride is clearly a satirical movie. From the beginning, the movie has many fairy tale elements: princesses, castles, true love, happy endings, but they are mocked and the story doesn’t turn out the way a normal fairy tale would. The wittiest character is by far Wesley, who is constantly shooting others down with his sarcasm and mockery. With each clever line, Wesley has the audience cracking up by the ends of his scenes. The movie also does a great job of pulling the reader into the “fairy tale” story, but right when you become really devoted to it, it flashes back to the reality of the grandpa and grandson. These two characters add a lot to the comedy of the movie because they mock and judge the story, emphasizing how much it isn’t a fairy tale.
Finally, almost every character is changed by the end of the movie. Every character has a motive that drives them forward, avoiding any flat characters. For example, Inigo wants to avenge his father’s death, Wesley wants to reunite with Buttercup, and Prince Humperdink wants to take over both the lands as king. The only flat character is Buttercup, the damsel in distress, who really serves no purpose other than being saved.
The Princess Bride is anything but unadaptable to the modern era. The jokes and comedy have stood the test of time and never fail to make the audience laugh.
The Princess Bride shows characteristics of almost all types of comedy, the first being farce. Although it uses satire and a deeper sense of comedy, there also still those comedic moments when, for example, the Albino gets hit on the head so hard he becomes unconscious, Inigo falls face first into his food, and when Fezzik and Inigo play childish rhyming games. If The Princess Bride was only a farce, it would still be a fantastic movie, but they take their comedy even further.
The Princess Bride is also a romantic comedy because the heart of the story is love story between Wesley and Buttercup. However, because of the funny lines, exaggerated action, things that clearly are not real or are clearly staged, The Princess Bride isn’t just a romance movie.
The Princess Bride is clearly a satirical movie. From the beginning, the movie has many fairy tale elements: princesses, castles, true love, happy endings, but they are mocked and the story doesn’t turn out the way a normal fairy tale would. The wittiest character is by far Wesley, who is constantly shooting others down with his sarcasm and mockery. With each clever line, Wesley has the audience cracking up by the ends of his scenes. The movie also does a great job of pulling the reader into the “fairy tale” story, but right when you become really devoted to it, it flashes back to the reality of the grandpa and grandson. These two characters add a lot to the comedy of the movie because they mock and judge the story, emphasizing how much it isn’t a fairy tale.
Finally, almost every character is changed by the end of the movie. Every character has a motive that drives them forward, avoiding any flat characters. For example, Inigo wants to avenge his father’s death, Wesley wants to reunite with Buttercup, and Prince Humperdink wants to take over both the lands as king. The only flat character is Buttercup, the damsel in distress, who really serves no purpose other than being saved.
The Princess Bride is anything but unadaptable to the modern era. The jokes and comedy have stood the test of time and never fail to make the audience laugh.
The office is a romantic comedy
When I read the definition of romantic comedy, I immediately thought of The Office. For the unfortunate few who have not seen The Office, it is about the daily life of some people with very different personalities who have to spend their days together in an office. The Office is a comedy, specifically a Romantic Comedy because of Jim and Pam, two young and likable characters who are kept from each other due to other relationships. Jim is in love with Pam when she is engaged to Roy and when Pam calls off her wedding to be with Jim he then has a girlfriend, Karen. Finally, after Jim breaks up with Karen he starts dating Pam and when the office series concludes, Jim and Pam are happily married therefore making it a comedy because in order for something to be a comedy it needs a happy ending.
The office changes the stereotype of an office being super boring to a work environment being somewhere where friendships are formed and pranks are pulled. This makes the show meaningful.
The office changes the stereotype of an office being super boring to a work environment being somewhere where friendships are formed and pranks are pulled. This makes the show meaningful.
Family Guy: Funny But Not Saying Anything
For my comedy critique, I would like to zoom in on the animated hit "Family Guy". The show follows a dysfunctional family and all of their misadventures, with hilarious twists and turns along the way. One of the trademarks of "Family Guy" that makes it so funny, is its cutaways. Cutaways are a comedic technique mostly utilized in animated shows, in which a character will be describing something and the scene shifts to a flashback or something else that happened, or is happening. The way Family Guy chooses to use them is normally set up with a simile, where a character will say something like "God, this is worse than the time Peter....." then it goes to a cutaway. This is where most of Family Guy's comedy comes from, they almost use it as a crutch, but that is their trademark and that is where they attempt to use pop-culture references or political issues to make a joke. A comedy is supposed to be dramatic, and according to Aristotle, it must broaden our understanding of the world, or really say something about it, and Family Guy certainly does not do that. While it is hilarious at times and will surely make you laugh by its shock value and cruel humor, it doesn't tell you anything about yourself or the world, all it does is make you laugh. This could possibly why Family Guy has been on a decline in quality and ratings as of late, with so much more content coming out due to streaming services, it is getting harder for network television to dominate as it used to, especially if the show isn't doing anything to affect its audience, and that is Family Guy. While it does mention issues and problems of the world, it does not offer a solution, or a different view on it, all the show does is poke fun to make people laugh. There is no problem with that, it just doesn't fit the mold of dramatic comedy, but I highly recommend if you want a good laugh.
Blogging Comedy
Write a blog post in which you defend or dismiss dramatic Comedy — as Aristotle defines it — as a meaningful art form. Whatever side you take, focus on one example of a long-form Comedic work and analyze how it enhances — or fails to enhance — our understanding of the world (the human condition, human nature, etc). You can bring up other works in order to demonstrate that your example is part of a broader trend — or an exception to the trend — but the bulk of your post should be a specific look at one work.
If you are looking for some ideas, check out this New York Times article on “Movies to Stream on Valentine’s Day, Whatever Your Mood.”
If you are looking for some ideas, check out this New York Times article on “Movies to Stream on Valentine’s Day, Whatever Your Mood.”
Crazy Rich Asians, and Crazy Classes
The movie "Crazy Rich Asians" Directed by Jon M. Chu, is a movie about Rachel Chu, who is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant, who is dating Nick Young who, to her knowledge, is just as normal as her. On the flight to Singapore to meet Nicks parents, Rachel finds out that Nick isn't very normal at all. She finds out that his family is treated like Royalty in Singapore. Although the movie can be seen as just a simple romantic comedy movie, there is another, deeper meaning behind the film.
The movie can be identified as satire because of how it criticizes the different social and economic statuses. The movie starts with Rachel and Nick on a date with Rachel not really knowing much about Nicks family. Later in the movie when Rachel gets the chance to meet his family, she ends up trying really hard to get them to like her, because its Nicks family, as well as the fact that they are treated like royalty.
The movie is satire because although it doesn't seem like it, it criticizes the social classes, primarily the higher social class, for being too pretentious and unfair to the lower classes. The movie portrays the higher class as having huge pointless parties, having people doing pointless things for you, and buying useless items while also making it seem like they have more culture than the lower class. Later in the movie, the lower class is portrayed when Rachel is talking with Nicks mom after she exposed her for being the lowest of low classes because of Rachels moms story, which she didn't even know the details about. While talking/playing a classic Chinese game with Nicks mom, Rachel is able to show her that she was wrong about her.
The movie is satire because although it doesn't seem like it, it criticizes the social classes, primarily the higher social class, for being too pretentious and unfair to the lower classes. The movie portrays the higher class as having huge pointless parties, having people doing pointless things for you, and buying useless items while also making it seem like they have more culture than the lower class. Later in the movie, the lower class is portrayed when Rachel is talking with Nicks mom after she exposed her for being the lowest of low classes because of Rachels moms story, which she didn't even know the details about. While talking/playing a classic Chinese game with Nicks mom, Rachel is able to show her that she was wrong about her.
A Strike into Satire
Kingpin is a 1996 comedy that features Ray Munson (Woody Harrelson) who is a bowler that gets his hand chopped off in a malicious attack by his competitor. He then meets Ishmael (Randy Quaid) who is a young Amish man with a talent for bowling. Throughout the movie Ray is trying to reappear on the bowling radar and uses Ismael to rise to fame. The movie is satirical and doesn't just make us laugh because Ishmael is Amish and is trying to live according to the Amish values but the world of drugs, screens and modernity suck him in to committing sins and straying from who he potentially wants to be.
This movie is an example of why satire should be defended because the Amish culture is something that most people don't understand or quickly dismiss. However, while watching the movie and seeing jokes made about the Amish, the clothing, values of the Amish and their lifestyle are perfectly displayed behind the comedy. Satire can teach us things that we did not know before and brings light to problems such as Amish people and culture not being recognized.
Here is the Kingpin video, https://youtu.be/Ta2vBD-qOwk
This movie is an example of why satire should be defended because the Amish culture is something that most people don't understand or quickly dismiss. However, while watching the movie and seeing jokes made about the Amish, the clothing, values of the Amish and their lifestyle are perfectly displayed behind the comedy. Satire can teach us things that we did not know before and brings light to problems such as Amish people and culture not being recognized.
Here is the Kingpin video, https://youtu.be/Ta2vBD-qOwk
The Office
The television series The Office is one of the most iconic television shows in modern time. It has a cast of many eccentric people which makes the show even more hilarious and unique. There are several jokes and comments throughout the show that poke fun of certain types of people or gender stereotypes. The Office uses satire to show certain issues that might occur in office buildings in the US, such as sexism, gender, race and other stereotypes that coincide with the different story lines of the characters. The Office represents a very diverse cast and reinforces jokes about gender and common stereotypes for the cause of humor. The shows mockumentary style not only makes it a funny tv show, but allows for it to be a successful satire by exaggerating societal issues. One episode that clearly shows the difference in gender roles in the workforce is "Boys and Girls".
In this episode, Jan takes the women aside to have an "equality meeting". The purpose of the meeting is so she can discuss with the women issues that the might have in the work force, but also aspects of their job that they are strong or good at. Meanwhile, Michael is not allowed to go in and gets upset he's not "included", so he decides to join and talk about "men things", making Jan very upset and frazzled. Michael refers to the women as the "Ally McBeal women" referencing the show Ally McBeal, who is a successful careen woman, but also yearns for a family. They address this common conflict that women who work have. He also tells them that the break room used to be a lactation room, which is "disgusting" and he hopes that is not their intention.
The Office successfully captures the societal issues and views presented in the work force, especially for women. The episode "Boys and Girls" does a good job of humoring gender differences that exist in society and specifically in the work force. Women were not fully accepted in the work force until about the 70' and into the 80's, after the second wave of feminism had hit, so their roles in the work force are less developed than men. Women have also faced discrimination, which the show pokes fun of these issues through satirical humor.
Let's Trade
Trading Places, starring the Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd is a not so traditional Christmas movie that follows Billy Rae Valentine, an unlucky con artist and Louis Winthorpe III a successful Harvard graduate as they become the subjects of a bet conducted by two immensely successful stock brokers. Mortimer and Randolph Duke bet that they could take someone like Valentine and turn him into a successful working man while at the same time turn a man like Winthrope into a criminal by switching the environments they live in. This movie is not a comedy just for the sake of being funny, it’s a movie that also gives a great deal of insight on social, economic, and class structure in our country behind all of its slightly risky jokes. Most relevant to this blog post, this movie does follow the most basic rules of Aristotle’s definition of Comedy.
Relating to Aristotle’s point that Comedies must have a happy ending and tell the story of the rise of a central character, this movie does just that. Valentine works his way up from a struggling man who was out on the street begging for money to a man who was able to make a living for himself working a job that supposedly only men who were bred to succeed life could fulfill. Not only did the main character climb the economical ladder by the end of this movie, he brought others with him while putting down the people that tried to use him as a social experiment, giving this movie the happy ending the audience expects.
It’s hard to miss the question that this movie expects its viewers consider about our society. At the most basic level, this movie is about two men who use their power to disadvantage others for their own entertainment. At the same time, it shows the economic contrast of Black and White Societies in America while trying to answer the question of whether people who are “culturally disadvantaged” and grow up in poverty adopt certain behaviors like crime that keeps them impoverished and whether or not they can be changed by removing them from said environment. Any comedic work that allows for a further examination of how we live and interact with each other while being funny is a plus in my opinion.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Comedy is Seriously (pun intended) Underrated
It is true that in the movie, The Hangover, that there is the rise of fortune for the main characters along
with the undenying charm of the main lead character, Phil (Bradley Cooper) supporting Aristotle's
definition of comedy. Aristotle defines comedy as "a story of the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central
character." and throughout the plot line of this movie this definition along with many more of Aristotle's
ingredients to a proper comedy are delivered.
with the undenying charm of the main lead character, Phil (Bradley Cooper) supporting Aristotle's
definition of comedy. Aristotle defines comedy as "a story of the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central
character." and throughout the plot line of this movie this definition along with many more of Aristotle's
ingredients to a proper comedy are delivered.
One of Aristotle's main points in defining a comedy, is having seemingly inappropriate scenes that
would normally be viewed as dark or gross come off as hilarious and gut wrenchingly funny.
Among all the other comedic movies out there, I strongly believe that none deliver on this point as
much as The Hangover. There are multiple times in which the audience will experience Phil, Alan, or Stu
perform utterly obscene acts that normally would not be scene as laugh worthy, but in context of the rising
plot and surrounding event gives off incredible bursts of comedy and laughter.
would normally be viewed as dark or gross come off as hilarious and gut wrenchingly funny.
Among all the other comedic movies out there, I strongly believe that none deliver on this point as
much as The Hangover. There are multiple times in which the audience will experience Phil, Alan, or Stu
perform utterly obscene acts that normally would not be scene as laugh worthy, but in context of the rising
plot and surrounding event gives off incredible bursts of comedy and laughter.
For many more reasons than this, I believe that comedy in in itself is a crucial and necessary part of our
life's as humans. I believe comedy enhances our lives in many ways. One of those ways being that comedy gives us, as humans an escape from the seriousness and stress in our lives and allows us to let loose and have fun. Comedy does not just have to come in the forms of movies or TV shows it could be the little things like funny signs or pictures that cheer and individual up. Comedy may be seen as rude and brash but, to many it is a way to laugh at things they normally couldn't in a serious environment, it is a way to let loose and lighten up the hectic and busy thoughts going through all of our heads. Aristotle's definition of comedy may not apply to all forms of comedy like it does in The Hangover, but most definitely relates to most and more importantly it positively affects most people. In fact, I would argue that when writing his thoughts down many years ago, Aristotle himself had a couple of laughs.
life's as humans. I believe comedy enhances our lives in many ways. One of those ways being that comedy gives us, as humans an escape from the seriousness and stress in our lives and allows us to let loose and have fun. Comedy does not just have to come in the forms of movies or TV shows it could be the little things like funny signs or pictures that cheer and individual up. Comedy may be seen as rude and brash but, to many it is a way to laugh at things they normally couldn't in a serious environment, it is a way to let loose and lighten up the hectic and busy thoughts going through all of our heads. Aristotle's definition of comedy may not apply to all forms of comedy like it does in The Hangover, but most definitely relates to most and more importantly it positively affects most people. In fact, I would argue that when writing his thoughts down many years ago, Aristotle himself had a couple of laughs.
Big Mouth Making Big Moves
The series focuses on middle school kids about to be, or already going through puberty, personifying puberty through the always-funny Hormone Monsters. The point of the show is to highlight the big moments for the pre-teens (first crushes, first periods, and many more firsts that don't need to be explained). Even the theme song ("Changes" by Charles Bradley) embodies the content of the show perfectly.
While the dialogue always puts a smile on the viewer's face, Big Mouth is also able to touch on key subjects that aren't talked about often enough. A great example is the song in the video above, rightfully titled "I Love My Body." It is clear that, while the scene is funny, the writers are also clearly implying the larger message that all women's bodies are things to be loved.
The show also goes through the human anatomy in depth, hitting things that are definitely not in most health classes, as well as informing the viewer on menstruation, puberty, and hormones in general. The fact that the show is funny only ensures that whoever is watching is able to laugh and become attached to what's on the screen.
The point is that comedy can be used as a platform to educate a nation, or in this case whoever has access to a Netflix account. Human beings love the feeling of laughter. Shows and movies such as Big Mouth have utilized that feeling and added essential messages on top of it that result in everyone being able to take away something useful and worthwhile to the world.
Crazy Rich Asians is Pretty Crazy (and Revolutionary)
**SPOILER WARNING**
After watching a good romantic comedy, the people out there with hope for the world can't help but feel all ooey-gooey inside. Romantic comedies bring out the loving sides of most people who watch them, and if you take them with their cliches, they can truly be meaningful works of art. With the recent release of the movie Crazy Rich Asians, which is not only a romantic comedy but could also be argued to be a satire, it can clearly be seen that romantic comedies CAN have more depth than people usually think they do. I am not arguing that every rom-com has much depth to it, but Crazy Rich Asians definitely does.
Crazy Rich Asians fits the classic Aristotle definition of a comedy- it features a main character (Rachel Chu, played by Constance Wu) who is of the "lower class" and goes to meet the family of her boyfriend (Nick Young, played by Henry Golding) who is of a high class wealth wise. By Rachel having to go to Singapore and face all of Nick's family, most of which do not accept Rachel because she does not come from the same wealthy background, the audience is presented with a conflict because we see that though Nick does love Rachel, he also loves his family and that it isn't easy for him to go against them. It also fits Aristotle's definition of a comedy because it does have a happy ending, where Nick's mother finally accepts Rachel for who she is. In one of the last scenes, Nick comes running onto the plane as Rachel is leaving to go back home to America, and proposes to her with his mother's ring (which signifies not only that his mother has agreed to the proposal, but that she's willing to give up her own ring). Crazy Rich Asians enhances the understanding of the world by showing the audience that by standing up for yourself and what you need for yourself (as Rachel does), you will get both what you need and what you want in life. If Rachel would have let Nick's mother's words get to her, she would have run out long before then, defeating her chance to be with the man she loves. Through Rachel standing her ground, Nick and Nick's mother realize that she is the real deal, and from there she is respected by them even more. The film is also able to incorporate many good discussions about the extent of wealth also, and what is excessive. This adds to the list of important things that the film discusses, because it shows that though wealth is desirable by most, it doesn't always lead to happiness.
After watching a good romantic comedy, the people out there with hope for the world can't help but feel all ooey-gooey inside. Romantic comedies bring out the loving sides of most people who watch them, and if you take them with their cliches, they can truly be meaningful works of art. With the recent release of the movie Crazy Rich Asians, which is not only a romantic comedy but could also be argued to be a satire, it can clearly be seen that romantic comedies CAN have more depth than people usually think they do. I am not arguing that every rom-com has much depth to it, but Crazy Rich Asians definitely does.
Crazy Rich Asians fits the classic Aristotle definition of a comedy- it features a main character (Rachel Chu, played by Constance Wu) who is of the "lower class" and goes to meet the family of her boyfriend (Nick Young, played by Henry Golding) who is of a high class wealth wise. By Rachel having to go to Singapore and face all of Nick's family, most of which do not accept Rachel because she does not come from the same wealthy background, the audience is presented with a conflict because we see that though Nick does love Rachel, he also loves his family and that it isn't easy for him to go against them. It also fits Aristotle's definition of a comedy because it does have a happy ending, where Nick's mother finally accepts Rachel for who she is. In one of the last scenes, Nick comes running onto the plane as Rachel is leaving to go back home to America, and proposes to her with his mother's ring (which signifies not only that his mother has agreed to the proposal, but that she's willing to give up her own ring). Crazy Rich Asians enhances the understanding of the world by showing the audience that by standing up for yourself and what you need for yourself (as Rachel does), you will get both what you need and what you want in life. If Rachel would have let Nick's mother's words get to her, she would have run out long before then, defeating her chance to be with the man she loves. Through Rachel standing her ground, Nick and Nick's mother realize that she is the real deal, and from there she is respected by them even more. The film is also able to incorporate many good discussions about the extent of wealth also, and what is excessive. This adds to the list of important things that the film discusses, because it shows that though wealth is desirable by most, it doesn't always lead to happiness.
Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence is a movie that was released in 2016 starring Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. It is an action-comedy that begins with a flashback to their high school days, where Kevin Hart is the stereotypical stud and Dwayne Johnson is the stereotypical unpopular kid who is embarrassed in front of the whole school when a group of kids throw him in front of the school when he is naked. Kevin Hart gives him his Letterman jacket to help him out and he never forgot it.
The movie then moves into the future and the two cross paths again. Kevin Hart's character is a man who struggles with his life, until Johnson comes in and surprises as a completely different man. They go on to fight crime and defeat a threat to the entire United States together. Johnson's character went from a high school laughing stock to a CIA agent who joined because he hates bullies. He joins up with Hart and they fight this threat together and Johnson ends up helping him find meaning in his life again.
This comedic story is not only hilarious, but represents the true meaning of comedy as well as it represents a character who changed his life for the better and then went back and helped the only person that helped him.
A Portrait of The Dude
There is a 3ft x 2.5ft portrait of the Coen Brothers' "The Dude" in my dining room. My DINING room...Whose choice it was to put the portrait in there, I don't actually know, but I didn't ever have any understanding of the universal application of The Dude until I watched the movie.
In The Big Lebowski, The Dude is mistaken for a rich man with the same name for owing an owner of a pornography business money. After some thugs burst into his apartment demanding payment, they pee on his beloved rug. The Dude seeks out the man he was mistaken for, and the man offers little information to him about the misunderstanding. On his way out of the mansion, The Dude steals one of his rugs and calls it a day. Later, he gets a call from The Big Lebowski, the man at the mansion, saying that his trophy wife, Bunny, has been kidnapped, and The Dude is the only one who can deliver the high ransom. In a series of over complicated and amusing events with The Dude and bowling loving friends, it eventually is figured out that Bunny had just taken a week vacation, the Big Lebowski, originally thought to be very rich, had actually lost all of his money, and the entire event was at the hands of Bunny, who owed the owner of the business money. The story ends with The Dude in the same place as he started, seemingly unaffected by the entire incident, and bowling with his friends again.
Oh, and how could I forget? The entire story is translated through the life of the The Dude and his love for "White Russians," and alcoholic drink made of vodka and heavy cream.
The Big Lebowski, in the most textbook sense, is a comedy because the story makes the viewers feel sympathy for The Dude, combined with a strange desire to experience his ease and lack of care for all things stereotypically important in life. The Dude, because he originally is portrayed as completely helpless, rises in fortune because he continues to gain strength throughout the movie. By the end, he has a control of his environment where the narrator even suggests that he is living in the ease of everyone else's actions and others should envy him.
If asked whether I thought the Coen Brothers' use of comedy was effective or not, I answered with a complete yes. The Dude's crazy story illustrates a situational irony where The Dude is able to survive a ridiculous and dangerous triangle completely unscathed by being the opposite of precise or quick witted. The Dude is the epitome of chillness. He does his life the way he wants. Nothing will ever influence a lifestyle change. The message to me is that being uptight doesn't alway mean you are making yourself better off. I'm not saying I admire The Dude, but maybe I could learn a thing or two from him...or not...
So, in context, the large blown up image of The Dude makes perfect sense, but maybe we could move it to a different room.
In The Big Lebowski, The Dude is mistaken for a rich man with the same name for owing an owner of a pornography business money. After some thugs burst into his apartment demanding payment, they pee on his beloved rug. The Dude seeks out the man he was mistaken for, and the man offers little information to him about the misunderstanding. On his way out of the mansion, The Dude steals one of his rugs and calls it a day. Later, he gets a call from The Big Lebowski, the man at the mansion, saying that his trophy wife, Bunny, has been kidnapped, and The Dude is the only one who can deliver the high ransom. In a series of over complicated and amusing events with The Dude and bowling loving friends, it eventually is figured out that Bunny had just taken a week vacation, the Big Lebowski, originally thought to be very rich, had actually lost all of his money, and the entire event was at the hands of Bunny, who owed the owner of the business money. The story ends with The Dude in the same place as he started, seemingly unaffected by the entire incident, and bowling with his friends again.
Oh, and how could I forget? The entire story is translated through the life of the The Dude and his love for "White Russians," and alcoholic drink made of vodka and heavy cream.
The Big Lebowski, in the most textbook sense, is a comedy because the story makes the viewers feel sympathy for The Dude, combined with a strange desire to experience his ease and lack of care for all things stereotypically important in life. The Dude, because he originally is portrayed as completely helpless, rises in fortune because he continues to gain strength throughout the movie. By the end, he has a control of his environment where the narrator even suggests that he is living in the ease of everyone else's actions and others should envy him.
If asked whether I thought the Coen Brothers' use of comedy was effective or not, I answered with a complete yes. The Dude's crazy story illustrates a situational irony where The Dude is able to survive a ridiculous and dangerous triangle completely unscathed by being the opposite of precise or quick witted. The Dude is the epitome of chillness. He does his life the way he wants. Nothing will ever influence a lifestyle change. The message to me is that being uptight doesn't alway mean you are making yourself better off. I'm not saying I admire The Dude, but maybe I could learn a thing or two from him...or not...
So, in context, the large blown up image of The Dude makes perfect sense, but maybe we could move it to a different room.
Why Brooklyn 99 is Meaningful
If Aristotle defines a comedy as any entertainment form that has a happy ending, I think that many, if not all, comedies have the ability to contribute meaningful insights on human existence.
Brooklyn 99 is a comedic television show about a group of detectives in New York who solve cases together. It's very lighthearted, and constantly makes silly jokes within the group of detective friends. It follows their friendships as they go through new changes in their lives, like when they have children, get married, and go through heartbreaks.
Although Brooklyn 99 makes hilarious lighthearted content, it also makes serious points about racism and homophobia. For example, one detective named Terry Jeffords gets stopped by a white police officer for being black. He tried to explain to the officer that he was a detective himself, and he wasn't doing anything wrong, but the officer wouldn't listen to him. Terry tried to have a sit down conversation with the unapologetic white officer about how it's wrong to stop black people if they are not clearly doing something against the law.
This brought up the issue about how racism sadly plays a major role in who gets arrested or not. Even though the episode was able to make you laugh, it made you more aware of the realities of racism today's society.
Captain Holt is the detective's boss and is a African American, openly gay man. Although, his sexuality and race doesn't define his character. He is a highly intelligent, no-nonsense man who is respected and loved at his job. But, Holt explains in episode how he wasn't always respected at work. He talks about how he constantly faced professional roadblocks because of the homophobia and racism in the 70's and 80's. Despite the fact that he had lots of experience in his field of work, he was often disrespected by, and excluded from the other white, straight males at work.
This makes the audience more aware of how homophobia plays a role in our society, and how someone's sexuality doesn't define their characteristics. The show still makes you laugh at the silly jokes the characters often make, but it brings your attention to serious issues that still play a role in American society today.
Brooklyn 99 has a happy ending in each of its shows, but that doesn't mean that it can't enforce and analyze important, meaningful issues within the show and its characters. A happy ending doesn't necessary hide the depth of each character and their struggles, but it merely reveals meaningful insights to its audience while still making them laugh and keeping their attention. I think a comedy can be even more meaningful than a tragedy sometimes, because it doesn't dwell on depression, but rather presents both the joy and sadness of life in a hilarious, captivating way.
Brooklyn 99 is a comedic television show about a group of detectives in New York who solve cases together. It's very lighthearted, and constantly makes silly jokes within the group of detective friends. It follows their friendships as they go through new changes in their lives, like when they have children, get married, and go through heartbreaks.
Although Brooklyn 99 makes hilarious lighthearted content, it also makes serious points about racism and homophobia. For example, one detective named Terry Jeffords gets stopped by a white police officer for being black. He tried to explain to the officer that he was a detective himself, and he wasn't doing anything wrong, but the officer wouldn't listen to him. Terry tried to have a sit down conversation with the unapologetic white officer about how it's wrong to stop black people if they are not clearly doing something against the law.
This brought up the issue about how racism sadly plays a major role in who gets arrested or not. Even though the episode was able to make you laugh, it made you more aware of the realities of racism today's society.
Captain Holt is the detective's boss and is a African American, openly gay man. Although, his sexuality and race doesn't define his character. He is a highly intelligent, no-nonsense man who is respected and loved at his job. But, Holt explains in episode how he wasn't always respected at work. He talks about how he constantly faced professional roadblocks because of the homophobia and racism in the 70's and 80's. Despite the fact that he had lots of experience in his field of work, he was often disrespected by, and excluded from the other white, straight males at work.
This makes the audience more aware of how homophobia plays a role in our society, and how someone's sexuality doesn't define their characteristics. The show still makes you laugh at the silly jokes the characters often make, but it brings your attention to serious issues that still play a role in American society today.
Brooklyn 99 has a happy ending in each of its shows, but that doesn't mean that it can't enforce and analyze important, meaningful issues within the show and its characters. A happy ending doesn't necessary hide the depth of each character and their struggles, but it merely reveals meaningful insights to its audience while still making them laugh and keeping their attention. I think a comedy can be even more meaningful than a tragedy sometimes, because it doesn't dwell on depression, but rather presents both the joy and sadness of life in a hilarious, captivating way.
Wasn't It Romantic
Isn't It Romantic stars Rebel Wilson who plays Natalie, the anti Cupid of New York. Natalie dismisses all love and happiness even when the love of her life Josh, her coworker, is right in front of her. She is so focused on getting out of love that she doesn't realize the love around her and always believing and accepting the worst in any situation.
After true loves kiss, Natalie wakes up in the hospital again to find her self back in the trashy New York City that she loves. She find everything back to normal and is more than excited. The comedic sense of the movie enhances the idea of love through flash mobs and true self realization, but it also shows that life isn't all glitz and glamour. No one can have the perfect life, but it's not reason to be bitter. It emphasizes that if one looks for happiness one will find it.
Though Natalie is openly the least romantic person alive, at the beginning Natalie is seen as a young girl watching Pretty Women who actually believes in love. Though, this all comes to a end when her mother dismisses her thoughts of love. Her mother says that no one could ever love someone who looked like them. This starts Natalie on her path to becoming a realistic romantic.
By the end of the movie, Natalie's journey reinforces our understanding that you can't love others before you love yourself. For Natalie, she's grown up thinking she would never be good enough for love because of the way she looked. But once Natalie has developed a love for herself and her work she realizes how much love she does have and how oblivious shes been. This then leads to the cliche slow motion run to stop the wedding of her true love Josh. Of course Josh accepts and Natalie's cliche world ends in a kiss.
In the defense
Comedy is one of the greatest art forms in my opinion. Comedy is sometimes very hard to make, pleasing people and making them laugh is hard to do. People are sometimes very picky about what they like and what they don’t, so to have a movie that makes many people laugh at least once maybe multiple times is extraordinary.
An example of a great comedy is the movie called Groundhog Day. The movie focuses on a cynical TV weatherman that finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. This causes him to rethink how he has acted in his life. Groundhog Day falls under the category of satirical comedy. It’s a satirical comedy because the central character of the movie is cynical who rises up and changes himself for the better all for this woman that he works with.
The movie enhances our understanding of human nature and the world by showing us that people can change themselves if given the right motivation. The main character in the movie, Phil first comes to the small little town of Punxsutawney for the fourth year in a row, to cover the story of groundhog day. He is obviously very frustrated that he has to cover the same story again. They are unable to leave the town due to a severe blizzard, Phil struggles to find a way to escape his seemingly hopeless situation of living the same day over and over again. He is the only one affected by the renewal of each day which causes him to become even more annoyed. This movie may not sound like art and in truth, it probably isn’t to some people. But it does capture comedy in a great way. People are laughing at Phil’s unfortunate situation and his actions and conversations are quite comical. This movie could also be categorized as a black comedy because we are laughing at his misfortune. This movie demonstrates that comedy is an art form because it brings in multiple forms and makes people laugh and brings them enjoyment. Comedy isn’t usually seen as art but when looked at in the right way you start to notice it has more than meets the eye.
Be like The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is a perfect example of why comedy, as Aristotle defines it, is meaningful and has importance. The story of The Breakfast Club is that of 5 very different teenagers who all have to endure a Saturday detention with an annoying and power hungry principal. The 5 teens, who ordinarily would not be friends, have the chance to hear each others stories and understand one another better. This allows them to look at each other differently than before. In the end they leave with a knew perspective, having grown as people, wondering how the rest of the year will go, knowing what they have learned from each other.
The reason this movie is an example of comedy being meaningful is that these teenagers are all normal people. There is nothing extraordinarily special about any of them, at the same time because they are so different it allows everyone to see part of themselves in at least one of the characters. What is essential is that very different people from different backgrounds have learned that maybe they aren't so different. Or even if they are, they can be around and respect those that they are different to. Each teen leaves their Saturday detention with a knew look at how to treat those that they may not be obviously similar to.
People watching this movie see the 5 teens leave detention in a happier, better place than they started in, meaning that it is a comedy, but the viewers also see how they should approach interactions with those they are different from in their own lives. It sends a message to humans that despite differences that you may have with people, there is always someway that you can relate and respect one another.
"Trainwreck"
“Trainwreck” is a romantic comedy starring Amy Schumer. Coincidentally, she plays the role of Amy, who has never felt the need to commit to a relationship, until she meets a sports doctor, Aaron Connors. They both fall in love, causing Amy to reconsider her sentiments towards relationships and straighten out her priorities.
In line with the Aristotelian definition of a romantic comedy, the two lovers of “Trainwreck” are initially kept away by an obstacle, which is Amy’s fear of commitment. Eventually, they are able to overcome this obstacle as *SPOILER* Amy confesses her love, willingness to work through their relationship, and displays a grandiose love gesture on the basketball courts. Amy’s humorous imperfections characterize her as an “ordinary person”, who struggles with love just like everyone else.
Although “Trainwreck” possesses the characteristics of an Aristotelian comedy, I find it difficult to defend as a meaningful art form. Other than the lessons on the unpredictability of love and the ultimate need for human connection, there seems to be no deeper meaning in the movie. Even the lessons stated above feel like too deep a search into the move, as its purpose is for mere laughs and relatability. Does the character grow and overcome an obstacle? Yes. Is she charming in her initial flaws? Yes. Do I feel like I have a greater insight into the human condition? No.
That being said, "Trainwreck" may be an exception to the meaningfulness of comedies overall. There are certain comedies that are distinguishable as feel-good movies (many of which come from modern day) that fail to have a deeper meaning. However, to me, a lot of older comedies seem to have meaningful insight, and therefore make me hesitant to dismiss the genre of comedies as a whole.
In line with the Aristotelian definition of a romantic comedy, the two lovers of “Trainwreck” are initially kept away by an obstacle, which is Amy’s fear of commitment. Eventually, they are able to overcome this obstacle as *SPOILER* Amy confesses her love, willingness to work through their relationship, and displays a grandiose love gesture on the basketball courts. Amy’s humorous imperfections characterize her as an “ordinary person”, who struggles with love just like everyone else.
Although “Trainwreck” possesses the characteristics of an Aristotelian comedy, I find it difficult to defend as a meaningful art form. Other than the lessons on the unpredictability of love and the ultimate need for human connection, there seems to be no deeper meaning in the movie. Even the lessons stated above feel like too deep a search into the move, as its purpose is for mere laughs and relatability. Does the character grow and overcome an obstacle? Yes. Is she charming in her initial flaws? Yes. Do I feel like I have a greater insight into the human condition? No.
That being said, "Trainwreck" may be an exception to the meaningfulness of comedies overall. There are certain comedies that are distinguishable as feel-good movies (many of which come from modern day) that fail to have a deeper meaning. However, to me, a lot of older comedies seem to have meaningful insight, and therefore make me hesitant to dismiss the genre of comedies as a whole.
The Hidden Message in a Game of "TAG"
In Aristotle's time comedy included a spectacle of men dancing, singing, or celebrating around an image of a phallus. But this is not a required ingredient of comedy. The only required element of a comedy is that is has a happy ending. Overall, a dramatic comedy includes the rise of a favorable or relatable character.
There are many comedies that contain great messages and prove to be meaningful art forms. On the other hand, compared to a tragedy, the lessons of a comedic movie may not seem existent. In other words, due to the entertaining nature of dramatic comedies, people get distracted from the lessons the story has to tell. Just because the audience isn't acknowledging the deeper meaning of a film doesn't mean there isn't a deeper meaning to be discovered. Most of the time people watch funny movies because they want to watch something light-hearted. Therefore they aren't looking to discover anything the film might be saying about their understanding of the world.
One movie that is considered a dramatic comedy but also enhances the audience's understanding of the world is TAG. In TAG tells the story of a group of male friends who have been playing the same game of tag for 30 years. It's entertaining, funny, and subscribes to Aristotle's definition of dramatic comedy. For instance, as the movie progresses Hoagie's confidence and esteem noticeably decrease. Most of this decrease in self-confidence has to do with his inability to tag his friend Jerry. At the end of the movie, his rise comes from finally being able to tag Jerry and that's when the audience finally learns the lesson the movie created. The audience learns that always trying to be the best, like Jerry, can get in the way of really experiencing life.
Dramatic comedies can teach their audiences a lot. They are also special because the audience can choose whether or not they want to look for a lesson or simply just enjoy the movie. Either way, the movie serves a purpose because being entertained can be a distractor from the stressors the audience wants to avoid. At the same time, dramatic comedies can enhance the audience's perspective on life in an easy-to-digest manner. Therefore, receiving the message may be easier than learning it from a tragedy.
There are many comedies that contain great messages and prove to be meaningful art forms. On the other hand, compared to a tragedy, the lessons of a comedic movie may not seem existent. In other words, due to the entertaining nature of dramatic comedies, people get distracted from the lessons the story has to tell. Just because the audience isn't acknowledging the deeper meaning of a film doesn't mean there isn't a deeper meaning to be discovered. Most of the time people watch funny movies because they want to watch something light-hearted. Therefore they aren't looking to discover anything the film might be saying about their understanding of the world.
One movie that is considered a dramatic comedy but also enhances the audience's understanding of the world is TAG. In TAG tells the story of a group of male friends who have been playing the same game of tag for 30 years. It's entertaining, funny, and subscribes to Aristotle's definition of dramatic comedy. For instance, as the movie progresses Hoagie's confidence and esteem noticeably decrease. Most of this decrease in self-confidence has to do with his inability to tag his friend Jerry. At the end of the movie, his rise comes from finally being able to tag Jerry and that's when the audience finally learns the lesson the movie created. The audience learns that always trying to be the best, like Jerry, can get in the way of really experiencing life.
Dramatic comedies can teach their audiences a lot. They are also special because the audience can choose whether or not they want to look for a lesson or simply just enjoy the movie. Either way, the movie serves a purpose because being entertained can be a distractor from the stressors the audience wants to avoid. At the same time, dramatic comedies can enhance the audience's perspective on life in an easy-to-digest manner. Therefore, receiving the message may be easier than learning it from a tragedy.
Must Love Dogs
According to Aristotle, in order to qualify as a comedy, all that is required is a happy ending.
In the movie Must Love Dogs, the main character Sarah, a preschool teacher divorcée, is a vulnerable mess struggling to return back to the world of dating. With the help of her sisters, an online dating website, and serendipity, she eventually meets a man named Jake. They decide to meet in a dog park where they find that they have a chemistry unlike any other. Sarah finds that after their first encounter she is unable to stop thinking about him, but finds that another man is interested. However, despite the complications experienced on both sides by Sarah and Jake, they end up together.
Throughout the movie Must Love Dogs, comedy enhances our understanding that love is complicated. It is a process that is mysterious and unpredictable. Throughout its stages, humans experience an array of emotions from obsession, depression, irrationality, felicity, and etc. This is only one of the many movies out there that depict an ordinary man and woman falling in love. It's definitely not the funniest movie out there, but it is a feel good movie that most definitely satisfying to watch.
Comedy- A Great Pastime But Nothing More
Everybody loves a good comedy, something that allows us to briefly escape the reality of life and engage in a imaginative world. Although comedy is a great tool for this, there is little to no meaning behind the works itself. The innocence of comedy is perfectly seen in the movie Legally Blonde.
Although a great movie, Legally Blonde doesn't carry any realistic messages to the world. The idea that a girl like Elle, the main character, would get into Harvard Law School, graduate Harvard Law School, get hired for a case, and (SPOILER ALERT) win, just doesn't add up. If anything, it's spreading a dangerous message that a lack of experience, expertise, and professionalism won't obstruct certain goals, and that everything will magically work out. Elle is given everything in life, so her "winning" this movie isn't a surprise, and is just another improbable fantasy.
Legally Blonde is a great movie, and I'm totally against judging a book by its cover. However, the audience of this movie quickly learns Elle's character, and although we're rooting for her success, she enhances unrealistic, fantastic hopes. Therefore, we shouldn't watch this movie hoping to gain some sort of life lesson or knowledge, but we should rather enjoy the humor used to take us to a new and enjoyable world.
Although a great movie, Legally Blonde doesn't carry any realistic messages to the world. The idea that a girl like Elle, the main character, would get into Harvard Law School, graduate Harvard Law School, get hired for a case, and (SPOILER ALERT) win, just doesn't add up. If anything, it's spreading a dangerous message that a lack of experience, expertise, and professionalism won't obstruct certain goals, and that everything will magically work out. Elle is given everything in life, so her "winning" this movie isn't a surprise, and is just another improbable fantasy.
Legally Blonde is a great movie, and I'm totally against judging a book by its cover. However, the audience of this movie quickly learns Elle's character, and although we're rooting for her success, she enhances unrealistic, fantastic hopes. Therefore, we shouldn't watch this movie hoping to gain some sort of life lesson or knowledge, but we should rather enjoy the humor used to take us to a new and enjoyable world.
Romance in the 21st Century
If you are reading this, you are reading this because you want to navigate the trials and tribulations of dating in the 21st century. The first thing I will tell you as your guide is that you have nothing to fear. Dating in this day and age is extremely easy. It is so easy to find a mate these days, that everyone seems to be doing it. All you need are three simple things:
1. The ability to read minds
2. Money, lots of it
3. Completely unrealistic expectations for your future partner
Publicity is also crucial to a relationship. You see, these days it's all about social media. We all know the more cute pictures of you and your partner you post on Instagram, the happier you are. It's factually proven that even if you're fighting with your other half if you post a picture of together, your conflict will be resolved. Combined with the posting of pictures of your loved one to social media, when you get into a relationship you must realize that you are no longer an individual. You are now the property of whomever you are dating. I know this may sound jarring but relax. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds. In fact, it's amazing! Who wouldn't want to be one half of a whole, completely lack individuality, and essentially let go of anything that makes you happy outside of the relationship you're in? I know I do.
Dating these days is all about the aesthetic. It's about how pleasing your relationship looks to other people and I appreciate that. It's not about irrelevant things like having a healthy relationship, being happy, or maintaining individual happiness. It's all about how good you and your partner look to the world which is good. The world needs more fake but pretty things to look at.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
"Bad Moms" Is Not a Bad Comedy
Mila Kunis stars in the 2016 comedy, Bad Moms. Her character Amy, is an average suburban mom trying to juggle her job, her crumbling marriage, and to be a "good mom" which consists of everything ranging from carpool to PTA meetings. After a particular stressful day, Amy dramatically quits the PTA and decided trying to be a good mom is too hard and decides to be a "bad mom" She decided to stop being a helicopter parent granting her kids more freedom and decides not to stress about how other moms view her. Through this journey she meets two other moms who are also done presenting themselves as the "perfect" mom and together they learn how to be more laid back.
Bad Moms upholds Aristotle's definition of comedy in many ways. Aristotle suggest that most characters are ordinary people. Amy achieves this by being an ordinary mom from the suburbs juggling work life with family life. She is average in terms of moral character. She is no where near a saint but she does what she thinks is best for her kids and for herself. The plot starts off when Amy hits rock bottom when she discovers her husband is cheating on her. She then gets in an argument with some PTA moms and decided to quit being a good mom. From this moment on, the plot is centered on her getting back on her feet. She decided to run for PTA president, and spoiler alert, she wins. Here Aristotle's definition is again evident when we feel satisfaction when she succeeds and gets what she deserves. The underdog wins, after we see her prove her character through the various obstacles she tackles.
This movie enhances our understanding of human nature. We see someone start at the bottom and work their way up tackling obstacles left and right. We learn how to laugh when things go wrong but to never give up on the original goals we set. Overall, Bad Moms is true to Aristotle's definition. Not only does it make the audience laugh but the plot tells the story of the rise in fortune of a main character.
Chicago, the center of attention
One of my favorite film of all time that involved comedy is Chicago. This weekend, I watched the play that our school held and I thought that the play was phenomenal. Although there are many genres to the film, one genre that I will be focusing on is comedy. Chicago centers around the main character, Roxie Hart, who was sent to prison after murdering her husband. When sent to prison, she was competing with another women, Velma Kelly, and competed to see who can get more attention throughout their stay.
Chicago is a great example of a Satirical Comedy. The whole movie is set with interactions between criminals. When Roxie realized that she had the opportunity to become famous during her imprisonment, she took great advantage of that and basically ended up sabotaging Velma throughout the process. The fight between the two characters is what makes this movie a comedy. As Aristotle defines comedy, the most important component of it is that it should have a rise in fortune of a sympathetic central character. Although the central character, Roxie, didn't really earn my sympathy throughout the movie, she was someone who ended up rising in fortune at the end, although it wasn't the fame that she was wanting.
I feel like Chicago gives a great representation on how millennias act today when it comes to attention. Many teenagers do not act like themselves in public or in social media for the sole purpose of seeking attention to the point where they would continue to scroll through Instagram to see how many likes they've got or going through Twitter to see the number of retweets. Even I feel as though I have fallen into a hole where I would even filter pictures to the point where I do not even look like myself, but with the increase in number of technology and social media, we will just watch our future generation and tell ourselves that they "had it coming".
Friday, March 1, 2019
As You Wish
Let’s talk about The Princess Bride. Aside from being a hilariously witty and strikingly humorous fantasy/adventure film, it also fulfills Aristotle’s definition of a Comedy. In fact, it’s a Comedy within a Comedy! Both the grandson (of the “real world” plot) and Buttercup (of the fantasy plot) are of ordinary backgrounds and unfortunate circumstances: Buttercup is to be married to one she doesn’t love, and the grandson is sick, grumpy, and vehemently opposed to “kissy parts.” Over the course of the film, both main characters undergo a classic Comedic “rise” and improve their situations significantly. Buttercup finds true love, and the grandchild finds ease and comfort (even overcoming his hatred of kissy parts!).
The Princess Bride is one example of a meaningful Comedy. Although it is playful and light, one does not have to search long to find greater human truths. Perhaps it is the “criminal(s) with the heart of gold” or “true love will find a way” or “even those in power can be brought low.” While these ideas (which are most definitely not the only themes of the film) are a bit cliche, they serve as an important reminder of the positive power of humanity. Should The Princess Bride have ended as a Tragedy, with the death of Buttercup and Westley, many of the themes would remain the same. The conclusion of a happy ending does not diminish the meaning of the work.
In fact, all Aristotelian Comedies are inherently meaningful. They show a relatable hero rising to fortune and all the success of a happy ending. If the goal of Tragedy is to evoke catharsis and stir audiences to change the world around them, then Comedy serves as a reminder of to what end those changes serve. Comedy offers a place of stability, a goal point for those moved to fix the world. Without Comedy, Tragedy has no aim. Without Tragedy, Comedy has no pleasantness. The two Aristotelian forms exist in synergy, each giving meaning to the other.
"Dumb and Dumber" is... the Dumbest
Dumb and Dumber. A classic tale of two men, who begin literally and figuratively in the dumps, and through a series of hilarious trials and tribulations end up... essentially in the same spot. While this movie is undeniably funny, it is more debatable whether or not it meets Aristotle's definition of "true comedy."
Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne are two goofy best friends living together in Providence, Rhode Island. Their homes, jobs, and love lives are absolute disasters, but they don't care until one of them, Lloyd, falls instantly in love with a Mary Swanson whom he cabs to the airport. He follows her inside and observes that she drops her briefcase. Unbeknownst to Lloyd, that briefcase contained ransom money for the kidnappers of Mary's husband, Bobby. But immediately noticing a way to her affection, Lloyd grabs the bag and races after her. He finds that her plane to Aspen, Colorado has departed, and so naturally he decides to follow her with Harry.
By this logic, Lloyd and Harry may be considered "comic heroes" by Aristotle's standards, if they become elevated from their original low position. Since they do not, the men and their story do not fulfill this criterion of satirical comedy. However, the movie itself arguably functions upon the "farce" form of comedy, since it contains mostly "zaniness, slapstick humor, and hilarious improbability," it fairly meets the Comedic characterization. The film also seems to make an attempt at being a romantic comedy; when Lloyd finally reaches Mary, she ends up admitting him that there would be a "one in a million" chance of them ending up together, to which Lloyd responds, "So you're telling me there's a chance!"
Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne are two goofy best friends living together in Providence, Rhode Island. Their homes, jobs, and love lives are absolute disasters, but they don't care until one of them, Lloyd, falls instantly in love with a Mary Swanson whom he cabs to the airport. He follows her inside and observes that she drops her briefcase. Unbeknownst to Lloyd, that briefcase contained ransom money for the kidnappers of Mary's husband, Bobby. But immediately noticing a way to her affection, Lloyd grabs the bag and races after her. He finds that her plane to Aspen, Colorado has departed, and so naturally he decides to follow her with Harry.
What ensues is a folly-filled adventure of the two men on their pursuit, being introduced to the kidnappers by way of their parakeet's decapitation, encountering tough guys that for no apparent reason attack them in a comedic fight scene in a restaurant off of the highway, and taking a wrong turn on the last leg of their trip, ending up in Nebraska instead of the desired Colorado. All this for Mary, whom Lloyd hopes can "plug them into the social pipeline."
While the movie is funny, it does not ultimately comment seriously on society. The final clip is a defeated Lloyd and Harry, who have created more trouble than they've solved. The boy and the girl do not end up together, and the men are not elevated out of their previous statuses whatsoever. They quickly disregard their failure, and begin a lighthearted game of tag, literally skipping off into the sunset. It would be a stretch to say the movie presents a serious theme of "If you have friends, you don't need anything else," because truly, the movie simply exists for the hilarity of the men's follies.
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