Comedy and Dysfunction
The relationship between genre and content compels us to think further into the conventions of film, and this topic becomes especially relevant when viewing the 2007 comedy, Juno. In every film genre, different characteristics rise to define it. For example, mystery films have their detectives and musicals have their songs. Comedies, in turn, make prolific use of humor and happy endings (Barsam). However, another, less obvious, characteristic common to comedies appears as social dysfunction. Countering simple distraction, Juno boldly addresses serious subjects and urges us to examine the comedy genre’s indirect conventions.
Social, relational, and domestic problems have been prevalent in the comedy genre at least since the 1930’s. Frequently in older films, such as She Done Him Wrong and His Girl Friday, love and relationships have been compromised by a third party. Serious topics like adultery or murder have been brought into comedies, complicating their stories; and in Juno, unexpected pregnancy, abortion, and divorce all factor into the characters’ problems. Following the conventions established by the forerunners of the genre, Juno reveals and explores many of society’s current problems and attempts to present what we should consider most valuable.
Digging deeper into this “convention of dysfunction,” one has to ask why comedy makes it a point to include these sorts of problems. Personally, I have always viewed comedies as being shallow and potentially worthless. However, it is possible that filmmakers include these sensitive topics to add depth and meaning to their movies. These topics do add a level of significance to a film, making it easier to relate to and thereby enjoy. Yet I think that if one digs still deeper there is another possibility.
Topics such as abortion and divorce can make one uncomfortable, and reactions to these topics can range in many different directions. These sensitive subjects are simpler to stomach if cushioned with comedy. If a film can make its audience laugh while discussing difficult topics, it can likely persuade viewers to think about the subject and talk about it. In Juno, the writers explore family conflict and unexpected pregnancy through much wit and humor, encouraging viewer discussion through the device of film.
While comedies can often seem like a distraction from the struggles of the world, they can also be a direct response to those struggles. Juno addresses many sensitive subjects such as teen pregnancy, abortion, and broken families, proposing views regarding each of them. Through humor, comedies have the inherent potential to open discussion. They encourage us to seek out answers, and then convince us that everything will turn out well with a happy ending. Through their use of social dysfunction, comedies manage to mean more than simply temporary distraction.
Works Cited
Barsam, Richard. Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film. 2nd. London, New York: W W Norton & Co Inc. 2006 30-31. Print
