There is an apology on order, dear readers. Much of my current columns have been dedicated to heavier topics. But with what we have been going through, we are in need of an escape. And the best way for this is in comedies. Luckily there are a number of great recent choices to bring on the yucks and guffaws.
Netflix has been a great source for chuckles the last few months. “Eurovision Song Contest” has been brought to us by former SNL funnyman Will Ferrell. His inspiration came from his wife who made him an avid fan of the annual competition. Starring alongside him, Rachel McAdams makes a perfect partner to his antics as playing the worst musical act in Iceland. This film mixes humor and heart, the core of Ferrell’s best comedies. A brilliant showcase to this contest to us Americans, many of the winners appear here. Other great performances include “Downton Abbey” star Dan Stevens as a rival Russian singer.
“The Lovebirds” is another good pick. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rea play a couple who are framed for a murder while on a date. Now they must clear their name. There are some similarities to the 2010 film “Date Night.” However there are enough differences to make it worth a watch.
For those who missed it last October, HBO premiered the Oscar-winning “Jojo Rabbit.” Described as anti-hate satire by its director Taika Waititi, a lonely young boy joins the Hitler Youth to belong only to find his mother has been hiding a Jewish girl. What sounds like a drama is turned on its head in the style of “The Producers”, which Mel Brooks was big champion of this film. “Jojo” also had good emotional performances from young stars Roman Davis and Thomasin McKenzie as well as Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell.
Hulu just nabbed this year’s biggest sale at Sundance with “Palm Springs,” starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two guests at a wedding. But there is a twist. You see Samberg has found a portal, sticking him in a time loop where it is always the day of the wedding. And at some point, Milioti finds herself stuck too. If this sounds like “Groundhog Day”, you are not far off. But the writers have enough fresh ideas planned for this scenario that is doesn’t feel stale in the slightest.
Sometimes, though, a classic is in order to get us to giggle. TCM, this month, has been doing their Summer Under The Stars programming. Each day and night is dedicated to one particular star or character actor. We have already seen the likes of Charlie Chaplin. But coming up on the 16th there is suave and debonair Cary Grant. His lineup includes “Bringing Up Baby”, “His Girl Friday” and “Arsenic and Old Lace.” My personal favorite in the evening is “Charade”; that combines humor with Hitchockian suspense. Whichever of these movies you pick, there will surely to be laughter all around. Happy viewing.
