Non-comedy films Page 4

On the strength of last night's trailers, Living is on the list as is She Said.

Categorising films is a tricky business.
If it's labelled a comedy (and thus discussed in the ComedyFilm thread - but then only if it's British) then it's judged on it's comedic content, rather than it's qualities as a film. So a film like The Big Short would fall short when compared to something like Anchorman when, as a bit of film-making, I would suggest, it's a better piece of work.
There are laughs in The Banshees of Inisherin - and IMDB have it as Comedy, Drama - but it ain't Carry on up the Khyber.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 10th November 2022, 8:20 AM

How the heck can The Lost King be a comedy? It's based on a real life event - and not a particularly amusing one.

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Surely you can have comedies based on real life events - even not inherently amusing ones. I think Dog Day Afternoon is based on an actual event and that's very funny, to name but one example. And finding a dead kings body in a car park is not unfunny.

Quote: chipolata @ 10th November 2022, 10:24 AM

Surely you can have comedies based on real life events - even not inherently amusing ones. I think Dog Day Afternoon is based on an actual event and that's very funny, to name but one example. And finding a dead kings body in a car park is not unfunny.

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I've no idea about Dog Day Afternoon although I note that it is described on-line as a crime drama and no mention of a comedy.

In my view there is a difference between something being funny in parts (which could apply to life itself) and comedy (which description could never apply to life itself per sé). The dictionary definition of "comedy" is "professional entertainment intended to make an audience laugh". I would argue that, if a film or play is based on a real-life event, it cannot, at the same time, be professional entertainment intended to make an audience laugh. Its intention is, rather, to relate the event in question. Like life itself, it may be amusing in parts but to amuse the audience is not its sole intention.

But I suppose I may be in danger of re-opening something akin to the sitcom/comedy drama debate all over again.

No - I think it is reasonable point and a suitable subject for grown-up conversation
A film where people say funny things, isn't (always) a comedy IMHO - that is just characterisation.
I mean, there are laughs in King Lear, for God's sake.
It's why I would suggest The Big Short is not a comedy, whatever IMDB says.
Butch and Sundance are charming, funny guys - but is the film a comedy?
The Sting on the other hand...?
I think the structure has to be designed to produce comedy, for it to be a true comedy.
Little Miss Sunshine is a comedy, in as much as the situations are set-up to produce comedy.
And the fact that it's very moving & sad stuff happens, doesn't stop it being a comedy.
'

Quote: Lazzard @ 10th November 2022, 1:46 PM

No - I think it is reasonable point and a suitable subject for grown-up conversation
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I'll get me coat................

Quote: Hercules Grytpype Thynne @ 10th November 2022, 2:34 PM

I'll get me coat................

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Will you be alright doing up the buttons? ?

Quote: Lazzard @ 10th November 2022, 2:49 PM

Will you be alright doing up the buttons? ?

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Mummy changed them for a big zip, when she did my gloves on a string - much easier to dress myself now.

Quote: Lazzard @ 10th November 2022, 2:49 PM

Will you be alright doing up the buttons? ?

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You do realise that the Off Topic Klaxon will go off at any moment

Quote: Lazzard @ 10th November 2022, 7:30 AM

Really?
Blimey.
'Feel-good', I'll grant you, but comedy ??

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I've not seen it yet myself, sounds like it may be a poor one, but yes, it was produced and released as a comedy drama.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 10th November 2022, 8:20 AM

How the heck can The Lost King be a comedy? It's based on a real life event - and not a particularly amusing one.

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Based on. Not a documentary or straight reconstruction of.

Plenty of genuine all time great sitcoms have been based upon writers own experiences, both in the basic premise and individual episode plots. It totally depends on how the writers and directors interpret those events as to whether they are pitching for laughs, tears, thrills, suspense...

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 10th November 2022, 1:22 PM

The dictionary definition of "comedy" is "professional entertainment intended to make an audience laugh". I would argue that, if a film or play is based on a real-life event, it cannot, at the same time, be professional entertainment intended to make an audience laugh. Its intention is, rather, to relate the event in question. Like life itself, it may be amusing in parts but to amuse the audience is not its sole intention.

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"Sole" is a word you've picked out of thin air on this one.

Dog Day Afternoon isn't funny! Are you quite mad.

That crossed my mind too. I don't remember any amusing bits.

Quote: Aaron @ 10th November 2022, 11:16 PM

Based on. Not a documentary or straight reconstruction of.

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Not everything that is neither a documentary nor a straight reconstruction is automatically a comedy.

In fact, in this case, The Lost King is a straight reconstruction. Or purports to be.

Quote: Aaron @ 10th November 2022, 11:16 PM

Plenty of genuine all time great sitcoms have been based upon writers own experiences

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Based upon experiences of course. But not the re-telling of an actual historical event.

Quote: Aaron @ 10th November 2022, 11:16 PM

"Sole" is a word you've picked out of thin air on this one.

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Not at all. The definition of a comedy being entertainment intended to make the audience laugh, not partially intended to make the audience laugh while its main intention is something completely different.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 11th November 2022, 9:40 AM

Based upon experiences of course. But not the re-telling of an actual historical event.

[/i].

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And with a single blow, BB dismisses half the Carry On canon.
?

Quote: Lazzard @ 11th November 2022, 10:10 AM

And with a single blow, BB dismisses half the Carry On canon.
?

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No, I said actual. ?

Ah.
That would explain me failing History A-Level.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 11th November 2022, 9:40 AM

Not everything that is neither a documentary nor a straight reconstruction is automatically a comedy.

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Of course not.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 11th November 2022, 9:40 AM

In fact, in this case, The Lost King is a straight reconstruction. Or purports to be.

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It doesn't, and isn't! The film literally includes Richard himself looking over (is that right, Lazzard?) Langley.

The discussion is essentially irrelevant though: BCG has no opinion on anything. It makes no decisions. Whether a TV, radio series or a film, it's down to the producer/broadcaster/distributor to classify something as a comedy or not. If they do, we cover it. If they don't, we don't. If you don't think it's funny, then it is a bad comedy - or at least, not in your sense of humour - but it doesn't mean it's not a comedy, if the makers think it is.

https://pathe.co.uk/at-home/the-lost-king/

Genre
Comedy Drama

Fin.