Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Over a month ago or so I saw Mr. Hulot's Holiday, the revered Jaques Tati film. At first it started out very slow and although nicely stylized it felt like the comedy went over my head, but eventually it started getting more humorous and I ended up liking it. My favorite scenes are people mistaking Hulot for a shark and when he accidentally creates fireworks.

However, once it got to the ending, and he tried to say goodbye to his romantic interest but was unable to, I felt... sad. This man is so totally inept at everything that he will never really get anywhere, since he will bungle every good opportunity. His bad luck and uncontrollable clumsiness is a constant curse.

First movie I think of is The Last American Virgin

I love this thread, can’t wait to see what pops up. Can’t think of much myself. I thought The Grand Budapest Hotel took a downward turn in tone toward the end, but it felt like a tragicomedy throughout.

I think that there's a whole slew of indie comedies that aren't afraid to have sad or melancholy endings. I'm thinking of something like Molly Shannon's film The Year of the Dog.

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

First of all, I want to say this is a very interesting topic. I'm also trying to recall what was so depressing about the ending of The Life Aquatic?

So yea, maybe not depressing, but certainly sad, or at least it hit me in such a way.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)




Marley & Me (2008)




The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Monty Python's The Life of Brian:


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Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

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City Lights- Charlie Chaplin

My favorite Romances have depressing endings.
Anne Hall
Roman Holiday
BrokeBack Mountain
Shakespeare in Love

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

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Brazil- Gilliam

Big second to The Purple Rose of Cairo...the ending of that movie is heartbreaking.

Agreed. Purple Rose had a surprisingly sad ending. Great film!

Brazil felt like an unexpected punch in the gut. I love this gem.


Life is Beautiful. Again didn't expect it.

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Il Sorpasso

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Re: Comedies with surprisingly depressing endings
 

Roman Holiday. Romantic comedies with downbeat endings don't come along often, so the fact that Audrey Hepburn's breakout movie of all things has one truly took me by surprise. It's one of those relationships plagued with problems from the start and realistically this is what would happen. But man, when Ann and Joe Bradley have to say goodbye in a context where they have to pretend they don't even know each other... it breaks your heart. Brilliantly delivered emotional tension in that scene.

"The Big Lebowski" and "Chasing Amy" spring to mind.