“My Cousin Vinny” (1992)
This comedy mystery film set in a small Alabama town has a cast larger than life, starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei and Ralph Macchio. When two teenagers are wrongly accused of murdering a convenience store clerk, Bill (Macchio) calls his cousin Vinny (Pesci) to represent him. The catch: He has never won a case in his life.
When Vinny and his fiancée Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei) emerge in Alabama with thick New York accents and leather jackets, the conservative societal norms of the south conflict with their East Coast attitudes — creating a breeding ground for a difficult, yet ridiculously hysterical trial.
Tomei took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1993, reaffirming her exceptional performance. Watching her and Pesci’s collaboration on screen is undoubtedly the epitome of comedy. Vinny’s blunt personality and confusion about the law combined with his fiancée’s quick wit and testy temperament, make a dull courtroom a stand-up set.
“Yours, Mine, and Ours” (1968)
Based on a true story, the 1968 film “Yours, Mine, and Ours” is a classic family comedy packed with hijinks that keep viewers laughing from beginning to end. Lucille Ball stars as Helen, a widowed nurse with ten children, while Henry Fonda plays Frank, a widowed naval officer with eight children of his own.
When the two fall in love, their newly blended family expands to eighteen children, plus one on the way. The film humorously captures the joys and challenges of managing a household of that size, making it a heartfelt and entertaining look at family life.
“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)
Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a women’s magazine advice columnist, finds herself on a new adventure when her boss asks her to write a piece about mistakes women make when dating. Ben Berry (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive, declares to his co-workers at dinner that he can make any woman fall in love with him.
The woman he picks out of a large crowd is Andie, whom he doesn’t yet realize has ulterior motives. A push and pull dynamic persists in their interactions, as they are each in the relationship for different intentions. Andie begins purposely acting like a neurotic mess, but instead of pulling away, Ben falls deeper in love with her.
As the film progresses, watchers are met with hilarious characters, even funnier lines and the incredible chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey. This film is commonly labeled as a chick flick, but do not be mistaken Anyone watching will be laughing profusely.
“Legally Blonde” (2001)
In this early 2000s comedy, “Legally Blonde” challenges stereotypes about femininity and intelligence. Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle Woods, a fashionable and seemingly shallow blonde who is dumped by her boyfriend when he leaves for law school, claiming he needs someone “more serious.”
Determined to win him back, Elle sets out to prove she can be exactly what he wants, only to discover she is more capable than anyone expected. After earning an impressive 179 on the LSAT and gaining admission to Harvard Law School, Elle famously asks “what, like it’s hard?” Armed with confidence, style and determination, she proves that beauty and brains can go hand in hand, while encouraging the women around her to embrace their individuality.
