Thats what I wanna know. It seems to be credited as a comedy, but its clearly a thriller - i didn't find it funny at all which doesnt mean i didnt like the film it was ok. But just because Steve Martin had the lead role doesnt mean its automatically a comedy.
Btw i thought he played the dentist quite well, makes him less of a one dimentional actor.,
I would agree that this is not a true comedy, but it was what some would call a Dark Comedy. I thinks thats why its classified as a comedy, simply because dark comedy doesnt seem to be an option.
paperclips- the larval form of coathangers...
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Yes, this is definitely a dark comedy. Not a barrel of belly laughs, but I know I got a few evil chuckles as I watched it. In the end, the protaganist wins out, so it fits the classical definition of a comedy as well.
shareYea, when i watched this, i was thinking "this definitely isn't a comedy". And then I watched the special features where steve martin says he would classify it as a "thriller with wit", and i completely agreed with that
shareI think this is a Hollywood thing. I agree this is not a straight-up comedy, but more of a dark comedy. Part of the problem may be that Steve Martin has not sought out non-comedy billing.
There are actors that "started out" doing comedy but changed direction somewhat. Michael Keaton is a good example, Tom Hanks may be the best example.
Then there are comedic actors that never attempt to turn that corner and do a "serious" role. Thus, Hollywood is afraid they can't sell them as serious. A very good example of this is Eddie Murphy. He has not sought a serious role yet, even though he's obviously a very gifted actor who can play straight roles very believeably (as Prince Akeem in Coming to America; as Mr. Quick in Harlem Nights, etc...). So, he does a great movie like Life, but it again is billed as a comedy even though it had some very interesting insights and poignant scenes that were very moving and serious.
Another Steve Martin movie I enjoyed and take away more than just comedy is Parenthood. And, although the role required impeccable comedic timing which he more than delivered, he did have the straight(er) role in Planes Trains and Automobiles alongside the late great John Candy.
But the term "comedy" is a difficult one to fitly define. A favourite movie of mine is Other People's Money, which is like an update to "Wall Street". Yet, WS ain't no comedy, and OPM is, sort of. It wasn't heavy enough to be called a "drama", but it wasn't a comedy like Caddyshack or The Bachelor Party or Police Academy was a comedy. OPM was polished, sophisticated, like a comedy for people who have outgrown adolescent sex and toilet humour.
Was Novocaine "scary"? Nah. Was it a "drama" a la On Golden Pond, Terms of Endearment, Beaches...? Nope. Was it a "thriller" a la Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct? Nah. But it was edgy, it was dark, it did have sophisticated plots and characters (wasn't Preston Maybank excellent as that imposingly creepy DEA agent?), what should we call it?
These days, if there's a solid lead comedic actor and a few corny scenes, hey, call it a comedy. Sad, but true.
I think it is similar to a type of story Elmore Leonard might write, although his charcters normally don't have menial jobs such as a dentist.
And you are forgetting about Steve Martin's role in The Spanish Prisoner.
I completely agree with you, dgarts!
Sure there were a couple of parts where I can see the "comedy" label working with this film, but in a VERY small way!...
"Black comedy" or "dark comedy" would have even fit this film much better than just "comedy", especially since some people out there (including my dad) just might think they're buying/renting a film that will make you laugh many times, you know?
Like you, I find it very odd that some films are just lazily labeled "comedy" when they aren't really a comedy at all... I can't really think of any good examples at the moment, but I have seen it numerous times before.
Anyway...
I DID enjoy the film a decent amount, though. It kinda reminded me of a "2 Days in the Valley" sort of film (in ways).
Thanks,
Mike Sorge
I agree- it's definitely NOT a comedy. It's definitely a serious and cruel movie. Though I have to admit I did laugh in a couple places, this was definitely not a comedy.
But I loved the movie nonetheless.
"Trapped in a web, but I cut the threads, show you the gates of tomorrow." - Iron Maiden
yeah! maybe is mislabeled as "Comedy", i guess because the dark humour in the film people credited as a comedy, but it isn´t.
Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.
this film is most definitely a comedy. more to the point, it is most definitely a "dark comedy." without pointing out the dark comedic elements in it, i'll simply supply you with some reference material, and you can apply it to the movie yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_comedy
gregory 12209.
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DARK COMEDY
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