The end of 2011 means at least a temporary respite from Netflix instant streaming for a number of comedies. The end is nigh for comedies of a variety of values and while the loss of some means a definite sense of sadness, the worthiness of crying over the loss of others is far more individualized. You’ve got less than two weeks to catch these comedies on Netflix before they disappear for who knows how long.
The Lonely Guy
A terrifically and shamefully overlooked entry in the Steve Martin canon back when he took risks. “The Lonely Guy” is a big risk: it is as surreal a comedy as any major star has ever made. While not exactly verging into the darkly surreal territory of a David Lynch film, those with an appreciation for extremely bizarre and unexpected flashes of comedic brilliance should definitely stream this comedy from Netflix before 2011 comes to an end.
Brighton Beach Memoirs
The initial entry in the film adaptations of Neil Simon’s autobiographic trilogy came along at a time when the star of the stage versions, Matthew Broderick, was too old to play the part. Fortunately, Broderick took over for the superior “Biloxi Blues.” Without Broderick, “Brighton Beach Memoirs” still has the power to produce laughter. Jonathan Silverman is a poor man’s Broderick, but Blythe Danner proves that she is the superior member of the mother/daughter team of Danner and Paltrow.
Repo Man
“Repo Man” is a cult comedy that some place among the best comedies to come out of the 1980s. That assessment seems to be overstating the case to a degree, but those with a taste for the offbeat can find plenty to laugh about. The best comedy to be found in “Repo Man” in today’s climate is that which is produced by the humor to be found in generic branding of products. Today more than ever, “Repo Man” is a comedy that takes direct aim at the proliferation of product placement that threatens to turn some movies into two hour long commercials. You could do a lot worse with your time between now and what may be the last year of humanity on earth with a double feature of “Repo Man” and “They Live.” These are two of the most subversive American films ever made, much less of the 1980s.
Big Bad Mama
If you come at it from the wrong perspective, you may think that “Big Bad Mama” is supposed to a crime drama. It isn’t. It’s not a satire or a parody of 1930s bank robber movies, but rather belongs to its own peculiar little subgenre to which it belongs almost exclusively.
For more from Timothy Sexton, check out:
“They Live”: The Most Politically Subversive Movie in Hollywood History
Steve Martin: The Wild and Crazy Comedy Collection Boxed Set