Fresh Question #51: Comic Relief

[Nightwing]

Blending drama and comic relief in movies/TV can become a big risk in production because unless the two meld perfectly, viewers and critics might not like the movie/show overall because it seems unbalanced, and perhaps even inappropriate at times.

Now answer a question that can probably help many writers from preventing some mistakes. What are some instances in film/TV where bleinding humor and drama was meant to carry the story, but failed miserably?

Where's the happy medium!?

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by Nightwing
Now answer a question that can probably help many writers from preventing some mistakes. What are some instances in film/TV where bleinding humor and drama was meant to carry the story, but failed miserably?

Where's the happy medium!?

I'm not sure. Maybe a movie like Superman III? There was a serious threat for Superman to deal with. At the same time, the writers placed a lot of humor throughout the movie. Didn't seem to work, though. I think most would say the movie was bad.

And I suppose Batman and Robin would be another. Batman is typically serious subject matter, but Schumacher went with a light, joke-filled movie that pretty much sucked.

Is that somewhat like what you're talking about. I'm sure there are more recent films, but I can't think of any off hand. Though I can think of some that have worked quite well.

[Captain Caps]

GOOD examples of combining comedy and drama: "Back To The Future", "E.T", the early works of John Hughes, "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird", "The Muppet Movie", "Victor/Victoria" and "Beverly Hills Cop".

BAD examples of combining comedy and drama: "Disney's Pocahontas", "The Santa Clause"...there was a John Wayne movie called "A Wing And A Prayer". I've never seen it (being as my idea of classic cinema starts in the late 60s/early 70s when the baby boomers came to their first critical mass, and ends somewhere around 1992), but this flick starring the Duke manages to have both heart-rending drama and slapstick comedy scenes.

If you're going to combine drama and comedy in your movie, make sure it's the dialogue that's humorous. Add some sight gags if you want, but no slapstick comedy.

Sincerely,

John "Captain Caps" Kilduff

[Frozen]

Due South is a very very good example of how comedy and drama can be blended for maximum effect.

[James]

Grosse Point Blank was a gentle mix becoming neither comedy or action but a cool mixture. I agree Due South is an excellent example!

Saying that, wasn't the 60s Batman a rather well balanced mix?

[Joe Tully]

I think A Fish Called Wanda worked pretty well there. It comes to mind because I just saw it the first time this summer. Pretty funny, but it had some serious stuff to it.

[Calhoun07]

Chasing Amy would be my top choice for a movie that melded comedy with drama very well.

[The Mad Hatter]

Ooooh, Chasing Amy's a good pic. Dogma too, to a lesser extent.

I just watched another Cowboy Bebop DVD and had to marvel at how well humor's blended in there, too.

[DerekPowers]

ofcourse most anime is a good mix, kenshin in particular. also "pulp fiction" was a perfect blend of drama and comedy.

[Maxie Zeus]

Funny, this was supposed to be a "where does the fusion FAIL" and it has turned into a "where does it succeed?" So I'll say that "Fargo" was a brilliant mix of the comic and the tragic/dramatic. Very spooky and unsettling.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus
Funny, this was supposed to be a "where does the fusion FAIL" and it has turned into a "where does it succeed?" So I'll say that "Fargo" was a brilliant mix of the comic and the tragic/dramatic. Very spooky and unsettling.

It's harder for me to remember those bad movies because...well, they were bad! I don't really remember forgettable movies! I am sure if I was to think long and hard about it, I could think of some where it failed. I suppose we could add Godzilla to the list, the American version. A truly awful movie.

[Kal-el]

The positive examples do seem easier to come up with. I agree with you Cal, the Hollywood Godzilla was not good at all.
I think show that succeeded on TV with the combination of drama and comedy was M*A*S*H.

[Samhaine]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

That movie failed on all fronts. It wasn't very funny. It wasn't very dramatic. It was just....there.

However, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the series is a complete 180 on the movie. It's very funny with plenty of drama. That show was one of the WBs few good decisions.

[Robin2099]

High Fidelity did a good job of combining humor and drama too. And like someone else said John Hughes' ewarly movies like Planes,Trains and Automobiles, and The Breakfast Club did too. Can't think of any that really failed off hand but I'm sure there's plenty.