Like Lilith Fair proved that female-led concerts could be financially successfully, the recent success of Bridesmaids proved that R-rated raunchy comedy could star women. Comedy has been a genre largely dominated by men but there has been a number of quality comedies starring women. Most of the time women in comedic films have small supporting roles or just play the gorgeous object of the loser guy’s affections. Women are not usually front and center.
Maybe because we like our women in film to be pretty is the reason why female comedies have not been that successful. Male comedic actors are allowed to look silly and occasionally unattractive. I mean physically unattractive. You cannot really be vain and do good comedy.
Here is a list of the ten best funny films starring women in no particular order:
1) Bridesmaids: 2011. With big box office and generally good reviews this film starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, and Rose Byrne has been the surprise hit of 2011. The film has been cited as a game changer and one that levels the playing field of crass comedy. Raucous and visual are two areas of comedy that men have dominated for decades. Well, step over guys the gals seem to here to stay. Film goes a long way towards proving that women can do bathroom humour as well. It then delves into language humour then anecdotes then on to physical aggression. Covers all bases and is funny to boot.
2) Bridget Jones’s Diary: 2001. British comedy based on a novel about Bridget Jones, a very average women with no luck in love. Funny, eh? She fights her age, weight, lack of boyfriend, her uninspiring job, and other stuff. All fodder for laughs for the audience. It worked because it was a film that most women can relate to featuring a character who most women can see themselves in. A real fairy tale.
3) A League of Their Own: 1992. Probably the only good female sports film. The performances were great. Even by Madonna! The bonding and sibling rivalry parts are not what you usually see in a female oriented films. Brought the caustic and sarcastic humour of Rosie O’Donnell to the public.
4) Legally Blonde: 2001. Reese Witherspoon plays a good-natured though none-too-bright girl who just wants her ex boyfriend back. Witherspoon makes the film. Her performance is funny and human. A guilty pleasure for many.
5) The Devil Wears Prada: 2006. Great scenes where the girls are not talking about guys, relationships or their feelings rather they talk about their job. Emily Blunt gives one of the best comedic performances of the past 25 years by a woman. Her character is cold but loves fashion completely.
6) Clueless: 1995. Directed by Amy Heckerling. A modern Southern California take on Jane Austen’s Emma. Pitch-perfect satire of superficial teens in Beverly Hills. A showcase for Alicia Silverstone, who has never been better than she is here. She is Cher, a fashion forward matchmaker with a heart of gold. Smart and funny.
7) Muriel’s Wedding: 1995. The misfit Muriel is an overweight girl obsessed with getting married. Oh, and the music of ABBA. You have to laugh because she is such a mess. It might be mean but sorry, it is funny. And the scene with Toni Collette (Muriel) trying to get out of a pair of leather pants is one of the funniest ones I have ever seen. Despite all her flaws you end up loving Muriel. Funny, fresh and witty.
8) Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion: 1997. Two ditzy best friends decide to go to their 10 year high school reunion. In order to impress their former classmates they undergo a complete makeover of styles and personalities. Starred Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino and they make up for the weaknesses in the film. Them plus the great 80s music on the soundtrack equalled a fun watch.
9) 9 to 5: 1980. A fluffy light feminist revenge movie starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton. Fun and silly. You can watch it over and over and still laugh at the same parts. The jokes never wear thin. The three actresses make the most of their roles. Hilarious dream sequences.
10) Juno: 2007. Mix of sharp satire and warm human comedy. The drama mixed with its quirky sense of humour really draws you in. Story of a teenage girl who wants to give her baby up for adoption. A lot funnier and smart than most thought it would be based upon the subject matter. Most of the credit for this film working has to go to the wise beyond her years Ellen Page. A breath of fresh air compared to most teen films turned out by studios lately.
