It would be naive to say that comedy has always been or should always be "squeaky clean." Comedy films have always danced on the boundaries of the more "hush-hush" topics like racism, drug-use and sex. However, as of late, those boundaries have not only been crossed, but have been passed by miles.
Everyone has a different sense of humor so of course I don't expect the comedy film industry to be able to please everyone. However, I do think it's fair to say that what makes a good comedy is its effective use of sarcasm, irony and pure wit. And this, for the most part, is definitely not what comedy films today rely on.
Look at comedies of the 80s, 90s and maybe even the early 2000s. Most are rated PG-13 for some incorporation of "adult humor," but could still be viewed by teenagers without corrupting them. Now, almost every comedy that comes to the theater is R-rated. When we analyze the R-ratings, the usual reasons involve sexuality and nudity, strong sexual language and profanity. Call me crazy, but isn't the point of a comedy to make you laugh, not cringe?
What stinks is that such R-rated comedies can have their funny moments within the film that have nothing to do with sex or vulgarity. Despite this, it seems as though writers and directors still feel the need to blast their audience with sexual images that are dangerously bordering pornography. It's gotten to the point where watching a new "funny" movie with your parents or family is completely out of the question, because, "Oops! Sex scene. Again."
In a society where so many are working to improve the way we treat others, be it about gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality, how can we spend so much money to see films that go against all of that? I reiterate that I realize comedy does have to do with the "take a joke" mentality, but there are just some lines that should not be crossed.
When I watch a comedy, I want to tell other people to watch it because it'll make them laugh. Instead, I find myself turning down the volume so no one within earshot gets the wrong idea about what I'm watching. My advice to the comedy industry: tone it down. Tone it way down. You can incorporate "adult humor," but more in the original "hint-hint, nudge-nudge" style that comedies were great at using. It's sad that the film industry thinks that the only way to create a decent comedy is by filling the screen with illegalities, profanity, drugs and, more than anything, sex. If I cared to see that, I would go elsewhere. Just be intelligent and make me laugh. Please.
