5 Comedy Movies With Heartbreaking Endings

gamerant.com:

The Shakespearean definition of a comedy is simply a play with a happy ending. In ancient theater, comedies weren’t necessarily designed to make the audience laugh; they just resolved with a satisfying conclusion as opposed to tragedies, which had tragic endings. Today, as a genre, the term “comedy” is broadly used to describe any story that incites laughter from the audience.

Over the years, the most subversive comedic filmmakers have toyed around with the audience’s expectation of a happy ending. The Big Lebowski is a goofy stoner comedy about White Russians and bowling, but it culminates in the untimely passing of the sweetest, most unsuspecting character in the cast. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visually stunning farce about a foul-mouthed concierge who’s framed for the murder of an older lover, but it ends with the concierge himself being murdered by a fascist death squad. Some of the funniest comedies ever made have ended in tragedy.

Holmes & Watson Squandered A Great Premise

Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude is one of the most morbid comedies ever made. Suicidal fantasies are played for dark laughs as a young boy and an elderly lady bond over their shared obsession with death. When these two end up falling in love, one of the darkest comedies morphs into one of the sweetest romances. Toward the end of the movie, as Maude celebrates her 80th birthday with Harold, she takes her own life.

Harold rushes Maude to hospital and desperately tries to save her, but it’s too late. This heartbreaking turn leads to a somewhat hopeful ending, because Maude’s death inspires Harold to finally appreciate life. He drives his car out into the countryside and seemingly drives it off a cliff – but he wasn’t actually in the car. He dances away