The 411 Movies Top 5 11.06.09: Week 189 - Top 5 Funniest True Story Movies

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 11.06.2009

From Catch Me If You Can to Ed Wood, 411's Trevor Snyder, Jeremy Thomas, and Steve Gustafson offer their takes on the funniest movies ever made based on real life events.



This week sees the release of The Men Who Stare At Goats, which - like The Informant! earlier this season - is a comedic tale based on a book concerning true events. This got me to thinking - you don't see comedies based on true stories too often, but they're not completely unheard of, either. And so myself and two fellow 411-er's have decided to take this opportunity to share our thoughts on:

THE TOP 5 FUNNIEST TRUE STORY MOVIES

TREVOR SNYDER

5. Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas

Although technically a film about "Raoul Duke" (Johnny Depp) and Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro), this is really the tale of legendary gonzo-journalist Hunter S. Thompson and his friend Oscar Zeta Acosta, and the incredibly drug-addled trip they had in Vegas when Thompson was sent there on assignment. A lot of people considered this to be one of those unfilmable books, but director Terry Gilliam's warped vision proved to be the perfect fit for Thompson's outrageous writings, and the result was this wacky cult masterpiece.

4. The People vs. Larry Flynt

This one might be considered more of a drama than a comedy, but you can't make a movie about the over-the-top life of Hustler publisher Larry Flynt – and his numerous battles with the government and moral majority – without a decent helping of laughs as well. Thankfully, Woody Harrelson proved to be the perfect choice to bring the bombastic Flynt to life. Although, in retrospect, the funniest thing about this movie might be that it actually had many of us convinced that it was the beginning of Courtney Love's legitimate acting career. Oops.

3. Adaptation

So this one might be stretching the "true story" category, but only a little. Spike Jonze's bizarre but hilarious film is based in truth…sorta. Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman really was hired to adapt journalist Susan Orlean's novel The Orchid Thief into a movie, and then he really was stumped on how to do so. In desperation, he finally decided to just instead write a screenplay about a screenwriter named Charlie Kaufman struggling to adapt Susan Orlean's novel The Orchid Thief. It's one of the strangest concepts in recent cinematic history, but it totally. Some of the elements are made up, like Charlie's twin brother Donald and Orlean's drug use, but overall what makes this movie so fascinating is knowing how based on the reality of Kaufman's problems it was. Plus, it's a nice reminder that – despite most recent evidence – Nicolas Cage is still capable of making great movies.

2. Catch Me If You Can

You know, sometimes it's just funny watching somebody make a fool of the authorities. Take, for instance, Steven Spielberg's charming film about con-man Frank Abagnale Jr., who for years eluded the FBI while passing bad checks in numerous countries. While the FBI agent played by Tom Hanks was created for the film (and was actually a composite of several real agents), the portrayal of Abagnale's exciting adventures were true…if perhaps slightly embellished. Anchored by a terrific performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, Catch Me If You Can is little more than harmless fluff…but it's very entertaining harmless fluff.

1. Ed Wood

Tim Burton's heartfelt look at the "worst director of all time" is without a doubt his finest collaboration with star Johnny Depp. Heck, it's probably Burton's finest moment, period. The film's comedy comes from Wood's unbending enthusiasm and sheer belief that he was truly doing great work, despite all evidence to the contrary. Oh, and then of course there's Martin Landau's side-splitting turn as Bela Lugosi. C'mon, who hasn't seen this movie and then gone on to yell "PULL THE STRINGS" at least once?

JEREMY THOMAS

5. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

Shadow of the Vampire perhaps stretches the "based on a true story" concept, but by strict definition it is based on the making of the classic silent film Nosferatu by F. W. Murnau. It's fictionalized of course, and posits that Max Schreck who played the vampiric Count Orlock was in fact undead himself. Some of the scenes are remarkably black comedy and actually quite funny, as Murnau finds himself unable to control Schreck's murderous hunger. The dynamic between John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe is great and makes for some very funny moments, even if the film is primarily a horror film.

4. The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

The flamboyant and controversial nature of Hustler publisher Larry Flynt makes for a lot of hilarity, and while this film may not be a straight comedy either it's still got a lot of great moments to laugh at. Woody Harrelson was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award for this movie, and any respect that I give Courtney Love is only because of this film as she does a bang-up job as Althea Leasure. There's a lot of funny moments in this movie and again while it may not be a straight comedy, it's definitely deserving on this list.

3. The Hoax (2006)

in 1970, Clifford Irving got together with his friend Richard Suskind to write a autobiography of the infamous recluse Howard Hughes. The problem? Howard Huges never authorized it or spoke with Irving or Suskind. This story was translated into film in 2006 starring Richard Gere and Alfred Molina in the roles of Irving and Suskind, respectively. The result was a very funny story about the two trying to fool their publishers with increasingly desperate stories. Gere, Molina, Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis and Julie Delpy all to a great job in their roles, but particularly Gere who displays some of the dazzling charm he's known for. It's wonderfully paced and while the comedy isn't laugh-out-loud, it's very genuine and never feels forced. It's very sharp, witty and was a very pleasant surprise as a comedy and a true-life story that is stranger than any fictional account could have been.

2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Undoubtedly one of the funniest movies based on a (mostly) real-life event, this movie is based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson and is an autobiographical account presented behind a facade of fiction. Terry Gilliam directed a masterpiece here, with Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro providing a couple of great performances amidst some great acid trip imagery. It's undeniably funny, with such unforgettable lines of "We can't stop here; this is bat country!" and surreal imagery that draws a lot of laughs. There are so many scenes in this I love, from the lizard people in the bar to the adrenal gland to the ether-huffing. This is a film that I defy people to watch and not laugh at, at least for the absurdity if for nothing else (and there is plenty else).

1. Find Me Guilty (2006)

Never heard of this film? It's not all that surprising, really; it never got released in many theaters and got completely passed over by audiences and critics. But it does mean that you're missing out on one of Vin Diesel's finest performances, as he plays Jackie DiNorscio. Jackie was a small-time mobster in the Lucchese who was in the middle of the largest racketeering case ever brought to trial. Jackie decided to represent himself and through his sense of humor and charm, threatened to stop the government dead in its tracks. Diesel pulls out all the stops and throws a remarkable amount of charisma and humor into the film. Watching Jackie run a comedy routine in the courtroom, and the way the other characters interact with him, is just an utter joy to watch and while it certainly has some serious moments it never feels like a drag. It's a feel-good film--as much as any film where mobsters are the main characters can be--and is a real gem of a true story that actually takes most of its lines from court transcripts, which makes it all the more amazing that it's such a funny movie.

STEVE GUSTAFSON

5. Titanic

Calm down! Let me explain! Am I making light of the tragedy this movie was based on? No. This was a super hard topic. I was tempted to go all funny and list movies like Independence Day. But then I got to thinking and was able to cobble a something together. I'm giving the shine to an actor who made me laugh every moment he was onscreen. A man who relishes each frame. I'm talking about, my friend, Billy Zane. His portrayal of "Cal" Hockley was entertaining from beginning to end. While Cal wasn't based on a real person, Billy made you believe he could have been. He played the villain with flair and delivered his lines with mustache twirling aplomb. I know it's "cool" to bash this movie but credit has to be given for the performance Mr. Zane gave us. Message to Hollywood: Give this man more work! Posthaste!

4. The Pursuit of Happyness

It's Will Smith! Of course there's going to be some humor in it! His take on the on-and-off-homeless salesman-turned stockbroker Chris Gardner was moving, thoughtful, and played with the right touch of humor. Even his son was solid without being overly "cute" to play to the camera. And it's in the scenes that the two of them share that the relationship is fully showcased. It was funny without going overboard and disrupting the tone of the movie:
Christopher: Knock knock.
Christopher Gardner: Who's there?
Christopher: Shelby.
Christopher Gardner: Shelby who?
Christopher: Shelby comin' round the mountain when she comes, Shelby comin' round the mountain when she comes!
Christopher Gardner: Hey, that's good.
Christopher: Knock knock.
Christopher Gardner: Who's there?
Christopher: Nobody.
Christopher Gardner: Nobody who?
[Christopher doesn't respond]
Christopher Gardner: Nobody who?
[Christopher still doesn't respond]
Christopher Gardner: A-ha-ha, that's a good one, I like that!

3. Catch Me If You Can

Funny in its own way. It has a few things working for it. The story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars by posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor and Louisiana attorney and parish prosecutor is pretty amusing. Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty, an FBI bank fraud agent, plays the man chasing him and does it as the perfect straight man. You laugh at how close he comes, only to lose Frank. Third, Christopher Walken. As Frank's dad...C'mon, it's Walken. I'll always find a way to get him on a Top 5.

2. Patch Adams

It has Robin Williams and it tells the true life story of Hunter "Patch" Adams. Heavy handed? Yes. Forced in places? Yes. But the parts that stand out to me is the idea that Patch had about interaction with patients. That's where Williams was able to do his thing. Robin has gotten to the point where people either love him or hate him and his comedy style. He really has never evolved his shtick, but in a way, he doesn't need to. He connects with audiences and people come to see him and his energy. That same energy is on display all throughout this movie.

1. Lords of Dogtown

One of my favorite movies of all time. And yes, it brings some humor along the way. Based on the documentary Dogtown and Z-boys, it tells the story of an influential group of skateboarders (Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams) who revolutionized the sport! One of my favorite scenes is only seconds long but Heath Ledger and Mitch Hedberg share the screen. Two artists that we lost too soon. Heath's portrayal of Skip Engblom stands out in this film and he does it so real that many people didn't even know it was Heath. The movie tells the story it wants to tell and along the way provides us with laughs. The humor is what you would expect from a movie about skateboarding but it's one of those movies that I can't switch off once I see it on.

See you with a brand new topic and some brand new lists next week. Till then, check out more of my nonsense at Night of the Living Trev, my personal blog. Have a great week.