Mafia comedy film explained

Mafia comedy films are a subgenre hybrid of comedy films and crime/gangster films.

Criteria

Mafia comedies revolve around organized crime, often specifically the Italian-American Mafia but also other mafias or mafia-like crime groups, and a comedic plot line, usually involving a chase or a complicated situation involving gangsters or organized crime. Much of the humor in such films is based upon the portrayal of gangsters as ordinary people. The perceived view of gangsters is that they are tough, serious, mysterious, and often quite evil characters; so when a film portrays a side of normality to a gangster character, it can have a humorous effect. Crime/gangster films typically involve many comedic moments, especially during witty conversations between gang members. This can be seen in such films as Goodfellas, Casino, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Pulp Fiction, and Snatch.

Examples of mafia comedy

Notes and References

  1. https://chicagoreader.com/film/prizzis-honor/ Prizzi's Honor - Chicago Reader
  2. https://screenrant.com/by-blue-heaven-best-mob-comedies-imdb/ My Blue Heaven & The 9 Other Best Mob Comedies, Ranked According To IMDb - Screen Rant
  3. https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2020/3/2/my-world-of-flops-case-155-wise-guys-1986 My World of Flops Pisco-No-Go Case File #155 Wise Guys - Nathan Rabin's Happy Place
  4. https://www.themarysue.com/the-legendary-dean-stockwell-dies-at-85/ The Legendary Dean Stockwell, Quantum Leap’s Al, Dies at 85 – The Mary Sue
  5. https://www.timeout.com/film/the-50-best-gangster-movies-of-all-time The 50 Best Gangster Movies of All Time|Time Out