In The specialist, Hollywood is a great stage supported by a multitude of workers and good intentions. What it does is that the comedy — which is also a tribute to action cinema — reviews the so-called magic of the cinematographic world. That, from the point of view of Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a stuntman who saw better days and is now trying to get them back. But beyond the behind-the-scenes adventure — and the mocking conflict that satirizes the world of the industry — the film is a funny journey through the show. Especially in its most artisanal, curious dimension that requires human effort to reach the big screen.
All of the above would have seemed a bit preachy if it weren’t for the humor that director David Leitch brings to the film. In fact, one of the highest points of The Specialist is his ability to make people laugh, surprise and also reflect, all in one scene. At the same time, without the need to fall into maudlin clichés or extremely complicated script twists to achieve laughter. The result is one of the great films of the comedy genre, which also uses action as a backdrop.
If you liked this lucky experiment, we leave you five curious comedies that you will enjoy too. From a retired hitman who must embark on a family trip to a group of actors in the middle of a pandemic. The tour goes through the best of several genres and also a novel interpretation of humor that will captivate those looking to laugh thanks to a good premise. The point that unites all the productions on the list.
Family plan
Dan Morgan (Mark Wahlberg) is a car salesman with a loving family and not much to say about himself. A devoted husband and father of three, he doesn’t seem to have anything notable. Except for his perfect reflections and the strange sensation for those close to him that his past is diluted in generic data.
But the truth behind that boring façade will become an imminent danger when what he so carefully hides is discovered. Not only is it about his long history as a hitman — which would already be a problem — but also, he is being hunted by dangerous enemies. So, suddenly, the tranquility of home will transform into a hurried trip through North America, in which everyone at home will discover what the father is hiding. Much more so, when the apparently peaceful Dan, have to take up arms to prevent them all from being murdered.
Crazy and at times emotional, Simon Cellan Jones’ film is a joy for its good moments of action and, at the same time, for its humorous wit. Which makes it an ideal comedy for those who enjoy both genres.
Custom Hero
Mason (John Cena) is a former agent who decided that his appreciable abilities to protect and defend could be a profession. So, he works as an overqualified bodyguard on missions that are not especially risky. Which will lead him to become the protector of journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie), when the latter must interview a dangerous dictator.
But everything will get worse, when in the middle of what seemed like a journalistic work without too many surprises, a coup d’état occurs. So Mason and Claire must save their lives, go unnoticed and also avoid involving North America in a diplomatic conflict. That, in the most extravagant situations and with sardonic humor, which not only mocks politics, but also the so-called journalistic duty.
For its hilarious finale, Hero for Hire makes one thing clear. His protagonists will manage to save their lives, but at the cost of his reputation and even his sense of ridicule. A twist that makes you laugh out loud because it is improbable and absurd. Its unique and best quality.
Free Guy: taking control
Guy (Ryan Reynolds) has a life, for him, that is perfectly normal. Every day, he goes to work at the city bank and lives the same routine of serving customers, greeting acquaintances, and attending a robbery. Then return home between explosions and shooting at each other to wait for the next day, everything to happen in the same way and in exact order.
Of course, this delirious routine has an insane explanation. The character and everything that surrounds him is part of a video game, in which he is a NPC (Non Playable Character). The premise becomes more astonishing and hilarious, once Guy becomes aware of what it really is like around him, Reality begins to take on a new meaning.
The above, while in the real world, the creators of the video game console experience strive to prevent an evil businessman from taking the game offline. Much worse, that it destroys the existence of Guy, who has become a hero of his own. In its amusing conclusion, Free Guy: taking control manages to mix this extravagant setting with a peculiar moral about love and personal freedom. Quite a feat in the field of comedy.
The bubble
The premise of this Judd Apatow film summarizes the complicated months of quarantine and transforms them into a twisted joke. In The bubblethe pandemic arrived and devastated everything in its path. Including the most recent installment of a well-known action franchise. So its cast, led by Dieter Bravo (Pedro Pascal), the influencer Anika (María Bakalova), Carol Cobb (Karen Gillan) and Dustin Mulray (David Duchovny) must lock themselves in a hotel to record.
But the mix between egos, ambitions, traumas and manias can be explosive. And it will be, as the group of actors confront each other to achieve the best shot, while fighting for standout and collective neurosis. With each passing day, isolation will cause unique and funny situations, that will culminate in a grand finale worthy of Hollywood.
This fantasy, which mixes meta-reference and humor, might not have worked — and it does at several points — if it weren’t for the chemistry between its cast. However, the funniest thing is the way in which the group of performers make fun of their colleagues with open laughter. A twist that turns the film into a mocking vision of fame, recognition and even love.
The mafia gallery
Patrice (Uma Thurman) is an art dealer going through a particularly low moment. And she will have no better idea than to team up with Gordon (Samuel L. Jackson) and Reggie (Joe Manganiello) to get out of the hole that her gallery is going through. Only this duo has nothing to do with the world of fine arts, But they are high-caliber criminals, looking for a way out of a quagmire.
The situation will become chaotic, when the criminal duo becomes a sensation on the New York art circuit and much more, promises on the world stage. But soon, the very surprised Patrice will have to deal with not only oils and prices, but also bullets, in a third act that turns the film into a large-scale joke about art.
