The second lockdown is extremely bad for the mind? These 15 comedies, from biting to rough to charming, can improve your mood again.
Germany has been in the "lockdown light" since November 2nd. Again people have to do without large parts of their social environment, again Corona forces them to do without. And again: "Humor is the button that prevents our collars from bursting", as the writer Joachim Ringelnatz (1883-1934) already knew. Humor can act as medicine for almost any negative emotion: boredom, loneliness, sadness. Here are the best comedies, from classics to modern box office hits.
"And the groundhog greets you every day", (1993)
Similar to everyone in Germany right now, Bill Murray (70) alias Phil Connors thinks in the film "And marmot greets every day": "That doesn't exist, I already know that crap!" The film by Harold Ramis (1944 2014) contrasts the real lockdown déjà vu with a charming, supernatural story of a man who experiences the same day over and over again. A feeling of sadness and boredom that many can identify with at the moment. All the more courage the constructive end of the cult comedy of these days can generate.
"The Life of Brian" (1979)
A Monty Python movie cannot be missing from a list of the best comedies of all time. In "The Life of Brian" the Jew Brian (Graham Chapman, 1941-1989) is born in a stable in Jerusalem and is mistaken for the Messiah. Even 30 years later, he cannot convince his disciples otherwise. Timeless criticism of religion – and timeless humor!
"Bridget Jones – Chocolate for Breakfast" (2001)
All-time single Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger, 51) decides on New Year's Day to turn her life inside out: She wants to quit smoking, lose weight and find a man for life. But when she gets involved with her boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, 60) and develops feelings for his archenemy Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, 60), the chaos is perfect. If you want to continue watching after the first part "Chocolate for Breakfast": There are the sequels "Bridget Jones – On the Edge of Wahnsinns" (2004) and "Bridget Jones' Baby" (2016).
"The Moving Man" (1994)
The most successful German film of 1994: "The Moving Man" by director Sönke Wortmann (61). When Axel (Til Schweiger, 56), a notorious cheater, is shown outside the door by his girlfriend, he meets his gay friends Walter (Rufus Beck, 63) and Norbert (Joachim Król, 63). The two offer him to live with him temporarily and a bizarre friendship develops.
"Clueless – What Else!" (1995)
A teenage film from the 90s that you can watch again as an adult. "Clueless – What Else!" has achieved cult status. In it, a popular high school queen in Beverly Hills takes on a wallflower. But the shy Tai (Brittany Murphy, 1977-2009) soon overtakes her. A nightmare for Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone, 44). Marvel star Paul Rudd (51, "Ant-Man") can be seen in a supporting role.
"The Big Lebowski" (1998)
Jeffrey Lebowski aka the "Dude" (Jeff Bridges, 70) is surprised one day by two thugs in his apartment who think he is the millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski aka "The Big Lebowski" (David Huddleston, 1930-2016), his wife Bunny (Tara Reid, 44) should owe someone money. After they torture him and urinate on his favorite carpet, the dude goes in search of Big Lebowski – but when he finds him, his problems really start.
"About a Boy or: The Day of the Dead Duck" (2002)
In "About a Boy", a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by British writer Nick Hornby (63), wealthy London bachelor Will (Hugh Grant) meets teenager Marcus (Nicholas Hoult, 30) and his unstable mother Fiona (Toni Collette, 48) know. The two "men" help each other and become friends over time.
"Monsieur Claude and his daughters" (2014)
The popular success of 2014 in France: "Monsieur Claude and his daughters". The conservative French couple Claude (Christian Clavier, 68) and Marie (Chantal Lauby, 72) Verneuil tries to cope with the fact that three of their daughters are married to a Muslim, a Jew and a Chinese and have therefore not yet been allowed to witness a church wedding. Her hope rests on daughter number four – but she falls in love with an African. Since 2019 there is a second part of the French comedy.
"Zoolander" (2001)
Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller, 54) fights as reigning "Male Model of the Year" against his competitor Hansel (Owen Wilson, 51), who ultimately wins. Zoolander's world changes from one day to the next and he is increasingly losing faith in himself. Since 2016 there is a second part of "Zoolander".
"Manitou's Shoe" (2001)
One of the most successful and popular German films of all time: the western comedy "Der Schuh des Manitu"! Apache chief Abahachi (Michael Bully Herbig, 52) and Ranger (Christian Tramitz, 65) are blood brothers and work together to ensure peace and justice. However, Abahachi is robbed of his money by the Shoshone and eventually persecuted. Then he remembers a treasure and an adventurous search begins.
"Hangover" (2009)
Doug (Justin Bartha, 42) disappears without a trace during his stag do in Las Vegas. When his party crew, consisting of Phil (Bradley Cooper, 45), Stu (Ed Helms, 46) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis, 51), wakes up the next morning, they have no idea what happened the night before. They roam the city to reconstruct the night of the party from a few memories and to find the groom in good time before they say I do. In part 2 (2011) of the "Hangover" trilogy, the friends travel to Thailand and in part 3 (2013) they go back to Las Vegas.
"Some like it hot" (1959)
The classic comedy: "Some Like It Hot" from 1959. The two unemployed musicians Joe (Tony Curtis, 1925-2010) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon, 1925-2001) become eyewitnesses to a murder. To escape the murderers, they dress up as women and become part of a girls' band. It doesn't take long for one of them to fall in love with the ukulele player Sugar (Marilyn Monroe, 1926-1962).
"Ghostbusters" (1984)
Fans have to wait a while for "Ghostbusters: Legacy". Until then, just enjoy the original, "Ghostbusters – Die Geisterjäger" from 1984. After the three parapsychology professors Peter (Bill Murray), Ray (Dan Aykroyd, 68) and Egon (Harold Ramis) are fired from their university, they set up a ghost hunter company. With the rapid rise in paranormal activity, their services are suddenly more in demand than ever.
"High Fidelity" (2000)
Fun for music lovers: the comedy "High Fidelity" is based on the book of the same name by British author Nick Hornby. Record store owner Rob Gordon (John Cusack, 54) sums up his love life and finds that only one of his ex-girlfriends really means something to him. Laura (Iben Hjejle, 49) is now taken.
"Bridal Alert" (2011)
The surprise hit of 2011: "Bridal Alarm". The frustrated single woman Annie (Kristen Wiig, 47) is said to be the maid of honor at the wedding of her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph, 48). But nothing goes as it should: A competition breaks out between Annie and Helen (Rose Byrne, 41), the wealthy wife of Lillian's boss, the hen party falls through and the wedding dress selection ends in fiasco. Annie bursts her collar at the bridal shower – with devastating consequences.