Although Aristotle's definition of comedy in his Poetics states that comedy must involve the nature of human sexuality as well as the triumph of eros, which Zoolander certainly has, in the end, the basic formula for a comedy is said only to involve a happy ending. Even though Zoolander is filled with its fair share of cartoonish pratfalls and lewd jokes, it is in its purest essence, a satire with all of the elements that Aristotle believed a comedy should possess.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
The Comedic Elements of Zoolander
One of Ben Stiller's most well-known films, Zoolander, was widely received with positive reviews praising the comedic elements of the film. However according to Aristotle's definition of comedy, a comedy is a story of the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central character. While Stiller's character Zoolander is certainly sympathetic, the problem with Zoolander's characterization as a comedy is the main character's rise to fortune. In order to determine whether or not Zoolander would be considered a comedy in the eyes of Aristotle. Although Zoolander did not gain any fortune in the monetary sense of the term, he did come across a great deal of success throughout the course of the film.
Ezekiel 25:17
Comedies are just as important as dramas. An example of a meaningful comedy is the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. In the film every character have their personality faults but we as the audience seem to feel sympathetic for lives that they lead and at the end wish the best for all.
Throughout the movie the scenes are shot in preludes. It follows the life of seven characters in Los Angeles, and all there lives are connected by one man Marsellus Wallace. The comedy in the film is classified as dark comedy. It follows the story of two hit men, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, who are on a mission to get a suitcase that belongs to their mobster boss, Marsellus Wallace. In another story-line, Butch, an aging boxer, is paid by Marsellus Wallace to throw a fight, but he instead crosses Marsellus Wallace by winning the fight and then has to leave town from the consequences. The film intensely focuses on conversations between characters that reveal both a dark comedy style of humor and their perspectives on life. The film's title is a reference to the pulp magazines and crime books popular during the twentieth century, that where known for their vulgar dialogue and violent nature. The director's unique style of remarkable dialogue, extensive use of violence, non-chronology scene placement, and powerful, relate-able character creation add to the central theme of how chance governs the plot and contributes to the formation of social views.
Throughout the movie the scenes are shot in preludes. It follows the life of seven characters in Los Angeles, and all there lives are connected by one man Marsellus Wallace. The comedy in the film is classified as dark comedy. It follows the story of two hit men, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, who are on a mission to get a suitcase that belongs to their mobster boss, Marsellus Wallace. In another story-line, Butch, an aging boxer, is paid by Marsellus Wallace to throw a fight, but he instead crosses Marsellus Wallace by winning the fight and then has to leave town from the consequences. The film intensely focuses on conversations between characters that reveal both a dark comedy style of humor and their perspectives on life. The film's title is a reference to the pulp magazines and crime books popular during the twentieth century, that where known for their vulgar dialogue and violent nature. The director's unique style of remarkable dialogue, extensive use of violence, non-chronology scene placement, and powerful, relate-able character creation add to the central theme of how chance governs the plot and contributes to the formation of social views.
Comedy and Gender Roles
Based off Aristotle's idea of a comedy, I believe Sydney Pollack's 1982 movie Tootsie fits the definition. Since my family does not have Netflix, I am usually stuck watching older movies on random channels (think channels 852-944). But, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.
In this comedy, the comedic hero is Micheal Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) who is struggling to make it in the New York acting biz. Micheal is a very hardworking, respected guy; but his only drawback is that he is a perfectionist, thus making him a little difficult to work with. In the movie, in order to find work, he dresses up as an older woman, calling himself Dorothy and auditions for a role as a female hospital administrator for the soap opera Southwest General.
In the movie, Micheal ends up getting the job as a woman. I don't really want to go into the details of the movie because I don't want to give the plot away. But, he ends up falling in love with one of his co-workers while he is being a woman.
I believe Tootsie fits the definition of an Aristotelian comedy because Micheal, despite his imperfect character is a very charming, likable hero. And, he isn't a rich guy either. He is simply an average guy trying to make it in the show biz, just like the other millions who are doing the same. Also, the movie is filled with many ordinary characters such as Micheal's friend who is a struggling actress as well and his roommate.
And, the movie also has a heavy emphasis on gender roles. Because Micheal is a acts like a woman for most of the movie, he is able to experience life as a woman. I believe the movie does an amazing job of showing viewers the differences between the lives of women and men, as well as their remarkable similarities despite those differences.
In this comedy, the comedic hero is Micheal Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) who is struggling to make it in the New York acting biz. Micheal is a very hardworking, respected guy; but his only drawback is that he is a perfectionist, thus making him a little difficult to work with. In the movie, in order to find work, he dresses up as an older woman, calling himself Dorothy and auditions for a role as a female hospital administrator for the soap opera Southwest General.
In the movie, Micheal ends up getting the job as a woman. I don't really want to go into the details of the movie because I don't want to give the plot away. But, he ends up falling in love with one of his co-workers while he is being a woman.
I believe Tootsie fits the definition of an Aristotelian comedy because Micheal, despite his imperfect character is a very charming, likable hero. And, he isn't a rich guy either. He is simply an average guy trying to make it in the show biz, just like the other millions who are doing the same. Also, the movie is filled with many ordinary characters such as Micheal's friend who is a struggling actress as well and his roommate.
And, the movie also has a heavy emphasis on gender roles. Because Micheal is a acts like a woman for most of the movie, he is able to experience life as a woman. I believe the movie does an amazing job of showing viewers the differences between the lives of women and men, as well as their remarkable similarities despite those differences.
Paradise
I've always been interested in the idea of the "universal myth"; a story that crosses all geographic and cultural lines. One of my favorite examples is the concept of paradise. A physical location that is, in every conceivable way, perfect. But to achieve this perfection, one must suppress all the flaws that makes them human, leaving behind an artificial mirage with only one goal: maintain the status quo. This concept has always been fascinating to me, so naturally I've been drawn to films that feature it, my favorite example being the film "Hot Fuzz".
Released in 2007, the movie stars Simon Pegg as a by-the-books cop who is transferred to a small, quiet village outside of London after his peers decide his stellar arrest record is making them look bad. Pegg is obviously not happy about the change, especially given how the excitement of police work is the only thing that makes him happy anymore. Soon, however, things start to turn dark, and after a series of increasingly gruesome murders, Pegg discovers that this town, that has maintained the "best village" award for several years, has kept their record by killing anyone they deem not up to their standards. The movie culminates in a huge shootout that is essentially Pegg against the entire town, including the priest and the sweet old lady who owns the inn where he was staying. The movie's writing is genius, presenting the best rendition of "paradise" I've ever seen, and it was a comedy. I HIGHLY recommend it to those who have yet to see it.
Released in 2007, the movie stars Simon Pegg as a by-the-books cop who is transferred to a small, quiet village outside of London after his peers decide his stellar arrest record is making them look bad. Pegg is obviously not happy about the change, especially given how the excitement of police work is the only thing that makes him happy anymore. Soon, however, things start to turn dark, and after a series of increasingly gruesome murders, Pegg discovers that this town, that has maintained the "best village" award for several years, has kept their record by killing anyone they deem not up to their standards. The movie culminates in a huge shootout that is essentially Pegg against the entire town, including the priest and the sweet old lady who owns the inn where he was staying. The movie's writing is genius, presenting the best rendition of "paradise" I've ever seen, and it was a comedy. I HIGHLY recommend it to those who have yet to see it.
Romantic Comedies are Alright
Aristotle's dramatic comedies revolve around a character's positive assent in which the reader is able to learn general human truths along the way. I think the best contemporary examples of these are romantic comedies. One of my favorite romantic comedies is Sleepless in Seattle. It's a wonderful movie. I can't help laughing at goofy Sam (played by Tom Hanks) or breaking out into smile with Jonah as his dad finds love. I think it's a wonderful movie, but I'm not sure that it has any revolutionary message on general truths concerning the human condition. I think that dramatic comedies were revolutionary before romantic comedies became a genre consisting of a general formula providing new ways to rehash the same morals.
Is Trading Places Both Entertainment and Education?
The movie Trading Places, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Akroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis would probably be considered a "comedy" by today's standards. But then again, almost everything that attempts to make the viewer laugh is considered to be a "comedy". Today's "comedy" does not have to teach anything, and it does not even have to make an intelligent point about society. It just has to attempt to make the viewer laugh and then it is automatically stamped as a "comedy". However, I think that Trading Places is more than today's comedy. It fits the definition of dramatic comedy according to Aristotle and is meaningful.
Trading Places in my eyes has not just one sympathetic character, but two. Two old men place a one dollar bet that they can change the homeless Eddie Murphy into a successful stockbroker, and a successful stockbroker, Dan Akroyd, into a homeless person. Although the movie has one character rising and the other appearing to fall, in the end both rise and destroy the old men's lives for messing with their lives. Also, at the end of the film, Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy realize that even though they might appear to be completely different people, they are really not different from each other. The movie satirizes the cutthroat nature of the old men who are major stockbrokers, and how they are willing to ruin lives over a one dollar bet. It also shows that regardless of appearance two humans are really not all that different from one another.
This movie exemplifies exactly what Aristotle had in mind when writing his definition of a comedy. It entertains the viewer with laughs, but also teaches a valuable lesson with characters who the viewer can sympathize. If comedies follow Aristotle's guidelines for comedy then they will likely be meaningful works and can teach as much as a tragedy can.
Trading Places in my eyes has not just one sympathetic character, but two. Two old men place a one dollar bet that they can change the homeless Eddie Murphy into a successful stockbroker, and a successful stockbroker, Dan Akroyd, into a homeless person. Although the movie has one character rising and the other appearing to fall, in the end both rise and destroy the old men's lives for messing with their lives. Also, at the end of the film, Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy realize that even though they might appear to be completely different people, they are really not different from each other. The movie satirizes the cutthroat nature of the old men who are major stockbrokers, and how they are willing to ruin lives over a one dollar bet. It also shows that regardless of appearance two humans are really not all that different from one another.
This movie exemplifies exactly what Aristotle had in mind when writing his definition of a comedy. It entertains the viewer with laughs, but also teaches a valuable lesson with characters who the viewer can sympathize. If comedies follow Aristotle's guidelines for comedy then they will likely be meaningful works and can teach as much as a tragedy can.
Do Wa Diddy Diddy
Dramatic comedy is a meaningful artform as it can demonstrate to us elements of our society that are ridiculous and stupid. Without dramatic comedy, there would be no one pointing out the idiotic parts of our society in humorous ways.
Stripes is a classic example of a satirical dramatic comedy because the protagonist of the film begins as a poor nobody and ends the film as a famous military hero. Throughout the course of the film John proved his character through his perseverance through the intensive military program. Although his problem with authority made his journey much more enjoyable for audiences.
Dr. Strangelove
When thinking about comedy in today's sense, I tend to think of movies that revolve around farce or slapstick humor. When it comes to these types of comedies, I find that people either really like them or absolutely hate them. While some find these movies to be hilarious, others find these movies to have no real meaning. Whether these films are liked or not, a good portion of them would fit into Aristotle's definition of comedy.
Dr. Strangelove (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) is a 1964 satirical black comedy that differs greatly from the slapstick comedies of today. The movie centers around fears of the Cold War. While most of the modern farce comedies are considered comedies by Aristotle's definition, I don't think that Dr. Strangelove is a comedy by the Aristotelian definition. First, the ending of the movie is not particularly happy. A device known as the "doomsday" machine goes off and sends the world into a state of nuclear fallout. This point, in itself, basically eliminates all possibility of the film being a comedy by Aristotle's definition. The only possible way the film could be seen as having a happy ending is if you recognize the fact that Dr. Strangelove is bound to a wheelchair. At the end of the film, he stand and shouts, "I can walk!" Now, this would be considered a rise in fortune for a central character, but, just after, his fortunes are dashed along with everyone else's because of the activation of the doomsday device. Also, there isn't really a comic hero, and the majority of the characters in the movie are not ordinary people.
So, I conclude that Dr. Strangelove is not a Aristotelian comedy. However, in my opinion, it is a great example of comedy, and if you have not seen it, you should get around to seeing it!
Nothing Adam Sandler Makes is Comedy
Okay, technically almost every movie Adam Sandler is in is a comedy, in the barest sense of the meaning of the word. He always plays the comic hero- a below average, ordinary guy (who's only "charming" because he interacts with a child once in a while, or maybe because he's been cheated out of something he deserved) who gradually, through various trials (defeating aliens in Pixels, acting heroic during dream sequences in Bedtime Stories) is seen rising in fortune. He also always ends up married or in a relationship by the end of the movie (also, the relationship/marriage is often with a woman who initially dissed him or wrote him off as a lame deadbeat, which she was correct in doing because that's what he actually is). His movies generally tend to fall into the farce and romantic comedy categories of comedy (if we're actually calling his movies comedy, which we aren't). Some movies, like Ridiculous 6 or I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry might be making attempts at being satirical, but they fall short due to stupidity combined with genuine offensiveness.
Adam Sandler's movies are simply too stupid and bizarrely identical (seriously, he's the same character in every single one of his movies) to be considered real comedy. They rely too much on sexist jokes, immature humor, and making fun of others' misfortune (basically, general stupidity). Calling them comedies is an insult to the entire genre.
Here's a fun article that basically encompasses how I feel about Adam Sandler.
Adam Sandler's movies are simply too stupid and bizarrely identical (seriously, he's the same character in every single one of his movies) to be considered real comedy. They rely too much on sexist jokes, immature humor, and making fun of others' misfortune (basically, general stupidity). Calling them comedies is an insult to the entire genre.
Here's a fun article that basically encompasses how I feel about Adam Sandler.
Perspectives
I think at least part of the importance of literature, or movies, or a story in basically any format, is the ability to show a different perspective. Besides the few laughs or tears you might get from a comedy or tragedy, the greatest impact of a good story is to show you things from someone else's perspective. This isn't exactly Aristotle's ideas of a "catharsis" after a tragedy, but I think it's related-- you feel "fear and pity" watching a tragedy because you are at some level understanding the perspective of someone who inevitably ends up in a terrible situation.
Comedies can show you a different perspective as well as a tragedy can. Maybe a comedy might tend to show a different perspective from a tragedy, but that's what makes having both more important. And if you think that tragedies are somehow more meaningful than comedies, then to me it just sounds cynical, and maybe you should go read/watch some comedies for a change.
I couldn't really come up with a particular comedy to defend. Also, and this is a bit of an afterthought, but when people write tragedies they're probably at least attempting to put in some kind of greater meaning (regardless of whether they succeed) while there are at least some comedies that are made just for entertainment, which might contribute to comedies being seemingly meaningless, when really it just means you have to look harder for a better comedic story. But that's just a theory.
The Green Years by A.J. Cronin
The essence of Aristotle's definition of a comedy is as follows: a comedy is a story of the rise in fortune of a sympathetic character.
Before reading King Lear, we were asked if we believed that a tragedy is the best way to convey meaning. I stand by my answer then that the story of a tragedy does stay with people and haunt them for longer. I do, however, also believe that comedy is a meaningful art form.
I believe that tragedy conveys meaning better than comedy because people seem to take more away from a bad experience than from a good experience. Many times, a comedic story is just taken as a fun light read that just reaffirms people's belief that everything will end up well and everybody will get a happy ending. A tragedy makes readers rethink their previously held beliefs and look again at what they thought was right and wrong, and their way of life. But the only lessons to be learned aren't that everything is doomed, and people are evil. There are also stories about struggle that don't always end in death and failure, but success, and reading these stories are just as necessary as reading tragedies.
The novel The Green Years by A.J. Cronin is one of these novels. It is a superb book--and the fact that the author shares my last name makes it even better. It is a story about an boy who is orphaned when his parents die from consumption. He is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and when he moves to Scotland he is met with many hardships. As well as being very poor, he is one of the very few Catholics in a predominantly Protestant town, and is met with some very strong negativity because of this. I don't want to give away the whole story, but because I have classified it as a comedy, it obviously ends well.
I loved this story and believe that it teaches some greats lessons and gets across very valuable meaning. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Before reading King Lear, we were asked if we believed that a tragedy is the best way to convey meaning. I stand by my answer then that the story of a tragedy does stay with people and haunt them for longer. I do, however, also believe that comedy is a meaningful art form.
I believe that tragedy conveys meaning better than comedy because people seem to take more away from a bad experience than from a good experience. Many times, a comedic story is just taken as a fun light read that just reaffirms people's belief that everything will end up well and everybody will get a happy ending. A tragedy makes readers rethink their previously held beliefs and look again at what they thought was right and wrong, and their way of life. But the only lessons to be learned aren't that everything is doomed, and people are evil. There are also stories about struggle that don't always end in death and failure, but success, and reading these stories are just as necessary as reading tragedies.
The novel The Green Years by A.J. Cronin is one of these novels. It is a superb book--and the fact that the author shares my last name makes it even better. It is a story about an boy who is orphaned when his parents die from consumption. He is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and when he moves to Scotland he is met with many hardships. As well as being very poor, he is one of the very few Catholics in a predominantly Protestant town, and is met with some very strong negativity because of this. I don't want to give away the whole story, but because I have classified it as a comedy, it obviously ends well.
I loved this story and believe that it teaches some greats lessons and gets across very valuable meaning. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Challenge: Find Two Rom-Coms Where Characters Learn Significantly Different "Lessons"
It's hard for me to come up with a comedy in which we truly learn something about the world. In the romantic comedy 27 Dresses, Jane, a frequent bridesmaid, is in love with a man who decides to marry her younger, "prettier" sister. Eventually another guy notices Jane and after many sticky situations they end up getting married.
Jane would be considered the comic hero since she was able to get past the loss of one guy and find another one who viewers probably like better. Although she is happier than before and maybe learned a lesson or two alone the way, I don't this movie, or any other romantic comedy, "enhances our understanding of human nature" because they're all virtually the same. They're all simply about finding "the one" and that teaches me nothing about the world besides the idea that if one relationship doesn't work out for me, I'll soon find another one with a friend or co-worker that I hadn't really noticed before.
I'm not saying I don't enjoy watching these movies, because they're definitely some of my favorites, but I won't defend them as a meaningful form of art.
Crazy, Stupid, Comedy
Comedies are definitely just as meaningful as tragedies. As a future (hopefully) screenwriter with comedy as the preferred genre this is a topic I care a lot about. Through comedy people are able to view and criticize human nature and society without the weight of death associated with tragedy. Comedies inspire hope and change unlike tragedies which serve as a terrifying warning.
As a comedy enthusiast, lots of television shows and movies come to mind when thinking about comedies that serve to enhance the understanding of the world but, keeping in the theme of our current novel "Pride and Prejudice" by the mother of modern romantic comedies, Jane Austen, I chose a romantic comedy. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a movie that explores the complexity of relationships, especially long term ones, time and ageing, and what dating in today's society looks like. The movie centers around a man whose wife asks for a divorce. The problems that arise before and after the divorce and the relationships between the characters operate as a mirror. Viewers are encouraged to feel as the characters do and to realize some growth along with the characters.
It's hard to do a summary on how a work is meaningful without spoiling it. I highly suggest watching the movie if you have given up on comedies actually meaning something. I also suggest watching it if you are a true fan of romantic comedies. I even suggest you watch it if you don't have anything to do right now.
As a comedy enthusiast, lots of television shows and movies come to mind when thinking about comedies that serve to enhance the understanding of the world but, keeping in the theme of our current novel "Pride and Prejudice" by the mother of modern romantic comedies, Jane Austen, I chose a romantic comedy. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a movie that explores the complexity of relationships, especially long term ones, time and ageing, and what dating in today's society looks like. The movie centers around a man whose wife asks for a divorce. The problems that arise before and after the divorce and the relationships between the characters operate as a mirror. Viewers are encouraged to feel as the characters do and to realize some growth along with the characters.
It's hard to do a summary on how a work is meaningful without spoiling it. I highly suggest watching the movie if you have given up on comedies actually meaning something. I also suggest watching it if you are a true fan of romantic comedies. I even suggest you watch it if you don't have anything to do right now.
Finding Nemo
I think the movie, Finding Nemo, fits Aristotle's definition of a comedy. This movie is about a clown fish named Marlin who loses his wife and family and is left with one surviving child for him to raise, Nemo. I think Marlin classifies as the comedic hero in this movie. People assume he is funny because he is a "clown" fish, but ironically he is not. His son has a small weak fin that he feels insecure about. Him and Nemo don't exactly fit in with the other fish and on top of that Marlin is super protective of his son. This ultimately leads to Nemo acting rebellious and getting taken by Australian fishermen. The movie proceeds with Marlin's journey to find Nemo.
The many sea creature characters in Finding Nemo classify as ordinary people. Marlin becomes friends with a fish named Dory. Dory suffers from short term memory loss. Marlin and Dory encounter a shark who struggles with his new vegetarian diet. While trapped in a tank in a dentist's office, Nemo encounters many fish who have flaws. These flaws include being scared of their surroundings, hating filth, having an obsession with something, having a temper, and thinking their reflection is their sister. All these characters struggle with things that ordinary people typically do.
Finding Nemo ends with a happy ending. Marlin and his son, Nemo, are reunited and all the remaining fish in the dentist's office were able to escape. Him and his son finally fit in with the other fish. They learn that everybody has flaws and it is okay to be different.
The many sea creature characters in Finding Nemo classify as ordinary people. Marlin becomes friends with a fish named Dory. Dory suffers from short term memory loss. Marlin and Dory encounter a shark who struggles with his new vegetarian diet. While trapped in a tank in a dentist's office, Nemo encounters many fish who have flaws. These flaws include being scared of their surroundings, hating filth, having an obsession with something, having a temper, and thinking their reflection is their sister. All these characters struggle with things that ordinary people typically do.
Finding Nemo ends with a happy ending. Marlin and his son, Nemo, are reunited and all the remaining fish in the dentist's office were able to escape. Him and his son finally fit in with the other fish. They learn that everybody has flaws and it is okay to be different.
Boring Comedies
While searching on google for a comedy I have actually seen, I had to keep scrolling through the list of movies until I got to “Groundhog Day” made in 1993. I just never watch comedic films because they usually don’t match my sense of humor and aren’t so entertaining. I can’t discredit all comedies but “Groundhog Day” is definitely one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I think it was the repetitive nature of the film that really bothered me, but it also wasn’t entertaining to watch the main character improve throughout the film. I prefer less predictable types of entertainment with some sort of evil or interesting twist, so I usually watch thrillers or something.
However, I do enjoy satirical comedic shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia,” “Malcolm in the Middle” or “The Office.” I think the main differences between these shows and Aristotle’s idea of a comedy is that it is relatable because the main characters are not necessarily getting any better. The two shows don’t show characters rising, but they portray the realistic, relatable flaws of everyday people. These forms of satire, rather than whatever type of “comedy” a movie like “Groundhog Day” is, are much more worthwhile.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia!
Dramatic comedy is a meaningful art form. Take, for example, the television show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This show is very quick satirize the morally deprived nature of human beings. Let's examine a specific episode: Gun Fever Too: Still Hot. This episode starts off with one of the main characters, named Frank, appearing on a local news channel and talking about how he was almost robbed. He says that he was able to scare the robbers away by firing gunshots, and proceeds to tell the T.V. audience that they should go down to a local gun shop to buy some guns to keep themselves safe while they still can, because the liberals in Washington are making it impossible to buy guns.
The other main characters in the show (Charlie, Mac, Dennis, and Dee) watch the newscast and react in different ways. Charlie and Mac think that Frank is right, and Dennis and Dee think that he is wrong. They proceed throughout the episode trying to prove to themselves and their opposition that they have the correct view, and halfway through the episode, Frank appears on the news again to give a similar message. By the end of the episode, Charlie and Mac and Dennis and Dee all change their mind about gun control, flip-flopping sides. As the argue with each other, they see Frank and try to bring him into the argument. When they talk to Frank, he explains that he doesn't give a shit about the gun issue; he had recently bought stock in the local gun store, and worked people into a frenzy over guns so that he could make big profits.
This episode satirizes both the politics involved in the debate over increased gun legislation and the questionable and greedy nature of people in general. It helps enhance our understanding of morality in a clever, entertaining manner. Comedy can be just as meaningful as tragedy.
The other main characters in the show (Charlie, Mac, Dennis, and Dee) watch the newscast and react in different ways. Charlie and Mac think that Frank is right, and Dennis and Dee think that he is wrong. They proceed throughout the episode trying to prove to themselves and their opposition that they have the correct view, and halfway through the episode, Frank appears on the news again to give a similar message. By the end of the episode, Charlie and Mac and Dennis and Dee all change their mind about gun control, flip-flopping sides. As the argue with each other, they see Frank and try to bring him into the argument. When they talk to Frank, he explains that he doesn't give a shit about the gun issue; he had recently bought stock in the local gun store, and worked people into a frenzy over guns so that he could make big profits.
This episode satirizes both the politics involved in the debate over increased gun legislation and the questionable and greedy nature of people in general. It helps enhance our understanding of morality in a clever, entertaining manner. Comedy can be just as meaningful as tragedy.
School Of Rock
A contemporary example of a comedy that illuminates the human condition is School of Rock, starring Jack Black. This movie follows ¨loser¨ Dewey Finn who uses his friend´s identity as a substitute teacher to make the money he needs to pay his rent. He is a down on his luck kind of guy who the audience initially both loves and hates. He has a dream to make it big in the music industry but was recently kicked out of a band he created. So begins the comedic life of Dewey Finn...
As a substitute teacher Dewey Finn teaches his students to ¨stick it to the man.¨ In doing so, he empowers his students and wins over the audience who begins to root for his success.
In a twisted way, Dewey Finn fulfills his dream of establishing a career in the music industry. He always thought he would be performing, but instead finds he has a passion and a talent for teaching music. This movie teaches its viewers not to let anyone tell you how to live your life and to never stop doing what makes you happy.
Star Wars
While there is no question that tragedies such as King Lear are meaningful works that have a lasting impact on the view, the effect of a comedy is less clear. I believe that tragedies are capable of larger impacts than are comedies due tot the nature of their content. Watching a flawed hero fall from power and ultimately lose just about everything has a larger impact on a view than does watching the rise and usually marriage of a comic hero. That being said, I do believe that comedies can come close to achieving the impact that tragedies typically make.
I believe one example of a modern day comedy is Star Wars. While some the films have tragic components to them, others such as A New Hope, have a more comedic aspect. The movie follows Luke Skywalker, an average young man, as he battles to defeat Darth Vader and free the galaxy from the galactic empire. Although the movie does not end in marriage, it does show the rise of Luke and his journey to fortune. The movie makes many lasting impacts on the viewer and therefore I would classify it as a successful dramatic comedy.
I believe one example of a modern day comedy is Star Wars. While some the films have tragic components to them, others such as A New Hope, have a more comedic aspect. The movie follows Luke Skywalker, an average young man, as he battles to defeat Darth Vader and free the galaxy from the galactic empire. Although the movie does not end in marriage, it does show the rise of Luke and his journey to fortune. The movie makes many lasting impacts on the viewer and therefore I would classify it as a successful dramatic comedy.
Fargo's, Lester Nygaard
Fargo, FX's series inspired by the Coen Brothers, begins with the story of a most ordinary, middle-aged Lester Nygaard. He works at a boring insurance job, his younger brother boasts his greater successes, his wife emasculates his every move, and his high school bully, Sam Hess, continues to torment him. The viewer soon realizes that Lester lives a pretty tragic life. That is, until he happens upon Lorne Malvo, who instructs Lester to take action. Malvo hints that killing Sam Hess and his own wife may be the solution. Weirdly, the audience is still charmed by Lester’s Minnesotan quirks as he smacks a hammer on his wife’s head and kills her, whilst muttering “Aw heck, oh jeez.”
This is just the beginning of Lester’s rise in fortune and his proof of real worth, as Aristotle puts it. I won’t give too much more away, but Lester’s power increases with suspense, until you feel angry with yourself for ever being manipulated by his spell. Fargo as a piece of art, uses dark comedy to teach us about the subjective natures of evil. Key and Peele also show up around the 5th episode for more of the comedy's desperate foolishness.
Maid in Manhattan
What makes something meaningful? Many philosophers have pondered this question and have come up with their own interpretation. Aristotle wrote that a work is meaningful if it creates a larger understanding of the world or human condition. Specifically, he argued that a comedy, in addition to a tragedy, can fit this criteria. A dramatic comedy follows the story of an person with average morals that deals with real life problems, that person rises in fortune in some way, and the work enhances our understanding of the human condition or world. In my education so far I have been biased to think that only tragedies are meaningful pieces of literature. After reading Aristotle's ideas, I am defending the movie, Maid in Manhattan, as a piece of art.
In the movie, sympathetic Marisa Ventura is a single mother who is a maid at the Beresford Hotel in Manhattan. She is encouraged by her friend to try on an expensive coat from one of the guest's rooms, right as senator hopeful Christopher Marshall walks in. He mistakes her as a rich woman and they spend time together. Eventually the truth that she's a maid comes out and the management at the hotel fires her. Marisa's son persuades Christopher to give her a second chance and asks him at his press conference whether people should be forgiven for their mistakes. At the end of the movie Marisa and Christopher are a happy couple.
This movie develops a perspective of society as a place where love can extend "barriers" of class or circumstance, but also a place that should not underestimate insights from young kids. It was Marisa's son that pointed out the larger idea of forgiveness (when it is and is not due), and even referenced former president Nixon. I would say this movie is an exception to the trend of movies in the 2000s. The mid to late 2000s had some romantic comedies that were more comedic just to be funny. Maid in Manhattan I felt has more underlying ideas about class, first impressions, and forgiveness. Overall, Maid in Manhattan is no King Lear by Shakesphere, but I would argue that both are meaningful works in their own way.
In the movie, sympathetic Marisa Ventura is a single mother who is a maid at the Beresford Hotel in Manhattan. She is encouraged by her friend to try on an expensive coat from one of the guest's rooms, right as senator hopeful Christopher Marshall walks in. He mistakes her as a rich woman and they spend time together. Eventually the truth that she's a maid comes out and the management at the hotel fires her. Marisa's son persuades Christopher to give her a second chance and asks him at his press conference whether people should be forgiven for their mistakes. At the end of the movie Marisa and Christopher are a happy couple.
This movie develops a perspective of society as a place where love can extend "barriers" of class or circumstance, but also a place that should not underestimate insights from young kids. It was Marisa's son that pointed out the larger idea of forgiveness (when it is and is not due), and even referenced former president Nixon. I would say this movie is an exception to the trend of movies in the 2000s. The mid to late 2000s had some romantic comedies that were more comedic just to be funny. Maid in Manhattan I felt has more underlying ideas about class, first impressions, and forgiveness. Overall, Maid in Manhattan is no King Lear by Shakesphere, but I would argue that both are meaningful works in their own way.
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