September’s top releases of comedy films offer great variety in subject and style. Look for Will Ferrell in the dramedy Everything Must Go about an alcoholic who loses his possessions. Joseph Gordon-Levitt takes on the role of a fire-loving psycho in the dark comedy drama Hesher. Geoffrey Rush leads a cast of young singers and dancers in the Australian musical comedy Brand New Day (Bran New Dae). Kristen Wiig’s major comedy hit Bridesmaids comes out September 20 in several different formats with loads of special features.
Everything Must Go (Widescreen and Blu-ray)
Salesman Nick Halsey loses his job, spouse, money, house, and car all in one day because of his alcoholism. His angry wife changes the locks, dumps his possessions on the front lawn, and takes off for an unknown destination. Meanwhile Nick befriends a lonely, overweight schoolboy to help him keep track of his stuff until he figures out a solution.
- Starring Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Michael Pena, Laura Dern, Stephen Root,
- Glenn Howerton
- Director: Dan Rush
- Writer: Dan Rush (screenplay); Raymond Carver (short story “Why Don’t You Dance?”)
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- Rating: R (for language and some sexual content)
- DVD Release Date: September 6, 2011
- Click here to read a review of Everything Must Go.
Hesher (Widescreen and Blu-ray)
Hesher is a tattooed drifter who enjoys lighting fires and disrupting lives. When he encounters a young boy being bullied by others, Hesher takes advantage of the situation to further terrorize the child. This unpredictable loner creates problems wherever he goes, yet somehow manages to occasionally make a friend or two along the way in his chaotic version of life.
- Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie, Devin Brochu, John Carroll Lynch, Paul Bates
- Director: Spencer Susser
- Writers: Spencer Susser, David Michod (screenplay); Brian Charles Frank (story)
- Genre: Dark Dramatic Comedy
- Run Time: 106 minutes
- Rating: R (for disturbing violent behavior, sexual content including graphic dialogue, pervasive language, and drug content)
- DVD Release Date: September 13, 2011
- Additional Information: Visit the official website for Hesher.
Brand New Day (Bran Nue Dae) (Widescreen and Blu-ray)
In this goofy musical, a teenaged Australian Aborigine runs away from his studies at a Catholic boarding school to return to Broome for his hometown sweetheart. The priest at the school, however, isn’t pleased with this decision and chases after the boy in an attempt to bring him back to school. Some hippies and a new friend aid the young man in his romantic quest.
- Starring Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Missy Higgins, Geoffrey Rush, Deborah Mailman, Tom Budge, Magda Szubanski
- Director: Rachel Perkins
- Writers: Reg Cribb, Rachel Perkins, Jimmy Chi (screenplay); Jimmy Chi, Kuckles, Patrick Duttoo Bin Amat, Michael Magolis Mavromatis, Stephen Pigram (stage musical)
- Genre: Musical Comedy
- Run Time: 85 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for sexual content and drug use)
- DVD Release Date: September 13, 2011
- Learn more about the movie production of Brand New Day.
Bridesmaids (Widescreen, Blu-ray, and Combo Packs)
In this raunchy comedy, a jealous bridesmaid causes problems among the wedding party when she competes for the attention of the bride. Between her failed bakery, a dead-end romantic relationship, and her best friend’s engagement, depressed Annie has only her jealous rage against another bridesmaid to keep her going. Planning elaborate wedding events for her friend and scheming ways to one-up the other bridesmaid keep her so busy that she nearly misses out on a new romance of her own.
- Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh, Terry Crews, Jessica St. Clair
- Director: Paul Feig
- Writers: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
- Genre: Comedy
- Run Time: 125 minutes
- Rating: R (for some strong sexuality and language throughout); also unrated version
- DVD Release Date: September 20, 2011
- Additional Information: Visit the official website for Bridesmaids.
To learn more about any of these movies, visit Internet Movie Database.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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