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The comedy film Why Him? was released in theaters on December 23, 2016. Despite making over $60 million at the box office, which is not too shabby considering the film’s production budget was $38 million, you may have missed this film. Perhaps you were doing some last minute shopping before spending time with your friends and family. Or maybe you chose a theater down the hall to see that new Star Wars movie. There’s also a chance that you were busy watching La La Land or Moonlight or one of the other Oscar-nominated movies people were starting to buzz about. But then maybe, just maybe, you were spending your time giving Why Him? the biggest eye roll you could muster. Because pssh, who really wants to spend their money watching a movie about a grumpy dad (Bryan Cranston, from that show Breaking Bad that you love and cherish so much) who must learn to tolerate his daughter’s (the very cute Zoey Deutch) new tech mogul weirdo boyfriend (James MF’ing Franco)? Well, I for one did want to fork over my dollars for this movie, and once upon a time, so did you.
2016 was certainly an interesting year for comedies. According to Box Office Mojo, the highest ranking live action comedy of the year pops up at number 21 on the list, and that’s Ghostbusters with $128 million; and we all know what the reaction to the female reboot of that movie was, despite the appetite for nostalgia. Right behind it is Central Intelligence with $127 million, featuring America’s new favorite odd couple, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. And just a few spots lower on the list sits Bad Moms, a movie no one (read: men) could believe made $113 million at the box office without Carrie Bradshaw front and center. So yes, people sorta came out to see comedies last year, but certainly not in the way they came out for franchises such as Star Wars and Captain America.
So where does all this pretentiousness around comedies come from? You could tell someone you were going to Deadpool (DEADPOOL) and you’d get an “Oh cool!” from a pal. But mention Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and you’d get scoffed down the block. Since when has Seth Rogen (who did fare better with his raunchy animated Sausage Party later in the summer), the poster boy for comedies, and Zac Efron, the poster boy for hotness, become uncool? The sequel to 2014’s Neighbors, which got a lot of “It’s actually really funny!” reviews, just couldn’t seem to lure people to theaters. Were people afraid they just might laugh at Seth Rogen’s drawn-on abs, or the sight of him hurtling through a garage door? You should be afraid, very, very afraid of that, because it will happen. Or was it, even scarier, the underlying feminist message of the movie that chased people away?
The next casualty to coolness came from The Lonely Island’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. It pains me to even look at the box office total for this movie, a devastatingly unfair $9 million. How dare you, America? You enjoyed the digital shorts from these men for their entire Saturday Night Live careers, and now you can’t get motivated enough to see their movie, perhaps the silliest comedy of the year? Where’s your loyalty?
Very quickly do these types of films attract an “Oh, it looks so stupid though” reaction. Of course it looks stupid: it IS stupid. Grown adults battling a sorority? A failing idiot singer? A blue collar, genuine guy having to deal with his daughter dating a parkour-loving rich hippie? It’s all so incredibly ridiculous. But they tell you that right off the bat, and isn’t there something refreshing to that these days, getting what you expect? You know what you’re in for from nearly the first frame of these trailers. What’s left untold is why viewers seem to be resisting and harshly judging these films lately.
Which brings us to Why Him?. Sure, there were many factors that may have kept you from seeing this movie in theaters, and yes, arguably, it’s the perfect movie for home or even planes. There’s something comforting about kicking back with Cranston & co. and letting the chuckles fly free. So do that. Don’t turn your nose up at this broad comedy, emphasis on the comedy. It’s ok to watch a movie simply for fun. No one needs you to churn out a thinkpiece in your Facebook status on what was wrong with Why Him?. Because, spoiler alert, it’s not a perfect film. But it’s extremely funny and entertaining, and please, if you are someone who doesn’t need a nice escape once in a while, then what even is your life?
There was a time where we all kibitzed about Happy Gilmore or even The Hangover; as a nation we went out to the movies and then happily talked about comedies at work, at dinner parties, and at the grocery store. Now we live in Peak TV Times, so there’s just SO much to watch, I get it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t return to what once brought us joy and laughs: comedy films designed to do exactly that. Comedy films haven’t gotten dumber, viewers have just gotten meaner. Now it feels as though a movie needs to have CGI, crazy explosions, or some big re-telling of history to be worth talking about, mainly with the goal of making oneself seem cool and interesting and thoughtful. Who’s got the mental energy for that? I’d rather watch Megan Mullally try to twerk on her husband and you’re crazy if you disagree.
We all like what we like, and if war movies or tearjerkers or twisted horror movies are your bag, more power to you. But as humans, we all need a little laughter from time to time. Just like we need vegetables, giggles are a part of a healthy entertainment diet. This is easily attainable, for a nominal fee and no wait time. In fact, make it a point to invite some pals over and enjoy Why Him? from home ASAP. Please know it’s stupid and ridiculous. But you just might learn not to be as judgmental of comedies as Cranston is of Franco. Just know some of your favorite comedic actors pop up in this one, including a Big Bang Theory star, which just sealed the deal on your opinion of this movie either way. But come on, get over yourself and have fun.
