Friday, September 28, 2012

Being Funny

I saw an article today about the "Bridesmaids Effect," referencing the summer movie from last year that was a smash-hit and earned dozens of awards.

"Call it the "Bridesmaids" Effect: Ever since the R-rated 2011 comedy became a runaway hit, taking in more than $280 million worldwide and earning Oscar nods for actress Melissa McCarthy and writers Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo, a rash of female-written comedies are enticing viewers with provocative new characters who are more like women we know."

So Bridesmaids is being touted as the female comedy of our generation, but that's not exactly a compliment. Sure, raunchy jokes might get a laugh, but why is it considered a success that women were able to make a movie filled with base humor? Shouldn't we be prouder of an all-woman comedy that made audiences laugh without having bathroom scenes? (I'll admit, I haven't seen it, this is just what I'm getting from web summaries)

Call me a grandma if you want (I can't deny it anymore. I've got a closet full of cardigans and "Meet Me in St. Louis" on Netflix Instant Queue), but I don't think that these movies, which are basically boy's movies repackaged for girls, are a step ahead for women.

Don't we need more Kathleen Kellys (You've Got Mail)? Or Maggie Carpenters (Runaway Bride)? They were funny, really funny. "That caviar is a garnish" is classic. Can we go back to those kinds of movies?








4 comments:

  1. you should watch bridesmaids....it's really really really funny.

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  2. i totally agree with you. bridesmaids was just ok - give me maggie carpenter any day.

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  3. Don't get me started. Smart humor wins. Always. So does Kathleen Kelly.

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