What exactly is film comedy and what is the basis for its widespread appeal?<strong>Film Comedy</strong> uses formal sociohistorical and industrial perspectives... » 

What exactly is film comedy and what is the basis for its widespread appeal?Film Comedy uses formal sociohistorical and industrial perspectives to answerthis question. What for example is the basis of the appeal of grossoutcomedy in films such as Theres Something About Mary and American Pie? What isthe relationship between comedy and narrative from early silent slapstick tothe performance of actors such as Steve Martin and Jim Carrey? How has romanticcomedy changed or remained the same from the 1930s to today? What happenswhen comedy is put to more serious ends in satire ranging from works producedunder communism in Eastern Europe and Cuba to Hollywood features such asBullworth and Wag the Dog? To what extent is comedy nationspecific? And whatis the role of comic relief in Hollywood action movies and black comedy such asAmerican Psycho and Man Bites Dog. «