Comedy: cinema's most underrated genre

Comedy often carries the image of an easy or minor genre. Yet making people laugh is one of the hardest things in film. Laughter can't be forced, and a badly timed gag falls flat in a second.

Timing, the invisible hero

A good joke rests on perfect timing: the silence just before, the reaction just after. It's meticulous work you don't notice when it's done right. And that, precisely, is the mark of great comedy.

Humor also ages in interesting ways. Some comedies stay hilarious decades later, others not at all. It says a lot about what's universal and what belongs to a moment.

Laughing together matters

Comedy takes on another dimension in a group. Laughter is contagious, and an average film becomes great with the right people. It's the perfect genre for a laid-back night.