Right, but isn't that largely covered by "tone, timing and context"?
Largely, sure, but I was thinking of it from the perspective of how the movie's made. Those things are largely the job of the actors and director; there has to be a funny script there too. B&R is one of those rare instances where it all comes together; where you have clueless actors (did Alicia Silverstone ever make another movie after this?) in cringe-inducing costumes delivering supremely unfunny lines on a set that looks like a latter-day Michael Jackson video. It's a complete failure, right across the board. It wouldn't have been the same mess if there'd been a decently funny script underneath. ;)
But yeah, with this
B&R is awful for so many more reasons than it not being serious, including the actors and the awfulness of AWFUL
I think we're basically agreed.
Anyways, since we're on the subject of humor, I was thinking about how BtVS is mostly wordplay humor and character humor and poking fun at itself.
Hmmm... I better leave this alone or I'll have to write an entire essay on the use of humour in BtVS. :) But yeah, I agree that that's at the heart of BtVS as comedy, but I think there's also a broader use of humour to play off familiar stories and tropes. Humour is much more than just comedy.
and I hope you aren't about to say you didn't like it either otherwise I might have to rethink my stance on you being the funniest person on my flist.
Funniest. Scene. Ever.
And after that point, I can't remember an example of the humor genuinely embracing its origin in characterization. The jokes are just jokes, they're not that funny, they're poorly timed so that the jokes deflate the drama, and they don't tell us anything about the characters.
Very good point. Though I'm sure I could think of some examples both to support and question that, but damnit, it's HOT here. :)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
carisma_sensei
no subject
Date: Jul. 14th, 2010 09:56 pm (UTC)Largely, sure, but I was thinking of it from the perspective of how the movie's made. Those things are largely the job of the actors and director; there has to be a funny script there too. B&R is one of those rare instances where it all comes together; where you have clueless actors (did Alicia Silverstone ever make another movie after this?) in cringe-inducing costumes delivering supremely unfunny lines on a set that looks like a latter-day Michael Jackson video. It's a complete failure, right across the board. It wouldn't have been the same mess if there'd been a decently funny script underneath. ;)
But yeah, with this
B&R is awful for so many more reasons than it not being serious, including the actors and the awfulness of AWFUL
I think we're basically agreed.
Anyways, since we're on the subject of humor, I was thinking about how BtVS is mostly wordplay humor and character humor and poking fun at itself.
Hmmm... I better leave this alone or I'll have to write an entire essay on the use of humour in BtVS. :) But yeah, I agree that that's at the heart of BtVS as comedy, but I think there's also a broader use of humour to play off familiar stories and tropes. Humour is much more than just comedy.
and I hope you aren't about to say you didn't like it either otherwise I might have to rethink my stance on you being the funniest person on my flist.
Funniest. Scene. Ever.
And after that point, I can't remember an example of the humor genuinely embracing its origin in characterization. The jokes are just jokes, they're not that funny, they're poorly timed so that the jokes deflate the drama, and they don't tell us anything about the characters.
Very good point. Though I'm sure I could think of some examples both to support and question that, but damnit, it's HOT here. :)