03.15.10

The Razor’s Edge

Posted in Comedy Around The World, Humor~Inspirational at 2:47 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

This week’s Comedy Around the World goes to the Razor’s Edge. I watched the 1984 Bill Murray film this weekend. It was a compelling display of subtle ways to use one’s sense of humor.

Because these humor examples weren’t flagrant, many people missed the impact of the film. When The Razor’s Edge was released, it was a flop. People heard the name Bill Murray and expected to see him do prat-falls and spoon-feed us jokes and clowniness. He didn’t do any of that. At least not as Bill Murray.

His character, though, was very adept at using his sense of humor. Especially in places where most normal people wouldn’t.

~> He followed others’ leads and adapted to their humor language. When his army friend saw the other ambulance destroyed, he said, “I never liked liars. They won’t be missed.”
And the two men rode together in silence. Each knowing what happened, each saving the other’s dignity by their silence.

~> He used humor to diffuse tense situations and heavy emotions. When his friend himself was killed, he cradled his head and said, “He will not be missed.”

~> He used humor to change the truth of a situation and improve morale. As the uncle was on his deathbed, Murray’s character siezed the context and created the party invitation the uncle had desperately awaited.
Was it truth? No. Was it effective? Yes.

~> Throughout the film, his character retained a light air. He was clearly in the humor zone, despite the tragedies occurring around him. His humor didn’t deny the fact of the tragedies. Instead, it allowed him to surpass, process, and make meaning of those very tragedies.

Rent The Razor’s Edge today and let me know what you think!

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