My dad has a theory that the movie My Cousin Vinny is the one movie that you can mention to just about anyone, any age, to which the response would be laughter, followed by a discussion of favorite scenes and/or quotes. He has tested this theory on the golf course, at bars, at family gatherings and in line at the bank and has found it to be sound.
We have discussed the qualities of My Cousin Vinny that cause it to have this effect. It is a comedy. It has been replayed numerous times on basic cable and/or regular television, so it has encountered a broad audience. If you randomly channel surf and land on the movie, it is entertaining and uncomplicated enough to make you want to stick around to the end, even if you hadn't seen it before... or even if you had. It has memorable lines that remain funny when pulled out of context, and those the lines evoke the entire movie scene.
We were at a loss to name others, and Dad remains convinced that My Cousin Vinny is the highest and best example of movies that have this effect.
I nominated Ghostbusters as a movie with a similar effect. I would also nominate The Princess Bride, but I doubt it has as broad an appeal as I think it does. Dad remains unconvinced, probably because he has not tested either on a golf course yet.
Anyone have other movies they could suggest?
I can't think of another movie that would evoke the fun of My Cousin Vinny, but I think Shawshank Redeption is a movie that is pretty much universally loved. If you mention is most people will gush about how much they love it. Certainly not quoteable, just really liked.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I LOVE MY COUSIN VINNY!!! When I was staying at a friend's for a couple of weeks, we would often throw around quotes, until finally going on youtube and watching the final court scene and reciting it word for word!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Big Lebowski.
ReplyDeletei've almost never met a person who wasn't crazy about The Big Lebowski, and didn't start a chat about how awesome The Dude is when someone makes mention of that movie.
I hate the big lebowski, but i think I am the only one.
ReplyDeleteYes on My cousin Vinnie and Ghostbusters. I think the hangover will fit this category, even my mom quotes it. Happy Gilmore?
I would say The Princess Bride is more common than I used to think - one of my parents' dogs is named after a character.
ReplyDeleteI never understood Lebowski.
Wedding Crashers.
ReplyDelete