The Funniest Movie Of The ‘90s Isn’t Even A Comedy

The 1990s produced a slew of legendary comedies, but the funniest film of the decade actually comes from a completely different genre. With an irreverent attitude and an overall rejection of what had come before, the culture of the ’90s was distinct. So too were the comedies from that era, many of which reflected the shifting cultural trends of the decade.

Mainstream humor took a darker turn, and the rise of independent cinema allowed for even more subversive voices to be heard. Snarky jokes and slacker heroes were all the rage, and the Gen Xers were having their say in the media. Nevertheless, the funniest film from the 1990s managed to get laughs with its sincerity and not its ironic wit.

American Movie Is The Funniest Documentary Ever Made

Mark talks to the camera in American Movie

Released in 1999, Chris Smith’s wildly underrated documentary, American Movie, is absolutely hilarious. It concerns Wisconsin indie filmmaker Mark Borchardt, and his quest to make the horror film, Coven. It meanders through Mark’s life, showcasing his friends and family, and the community that shaped him. It also digs deep into Mark’s dreams, acting as a platform for his personal philosophy.

Coven was completed in 1997.

The laughs often come from Mark’s quotable idioms, or the genuine awkwardness that the movie isn’t afraid to show in excruciating detail. American Movie is a window into the life of a regular person striving to be extraordinary. It reveals that filmmaking is not a glamorous art form, especially on a shoestring budget and without a professional crew.

Unlike a lot of ’90s comedies which relied on sarcasm, there is an endearing sincerity to American Movie. It’s so funny because the foibles of Mark and his friends are relatable, as is the persistence of his dreams. The viewer isn’t laughing at the characters, rather laughing at themselves and their own shortcomings reflected onscreen.

It’s The Perfect Movie About Making Movies

Mark directs with his hands in the air in American Movie — Mark directs in American Movie

Films about filmmaking have been around since the dawn of Hollywood, but few rival American Movie. Obviously, the documentary format allows for a more honest approach to the format, but there’s more to the 1999 gem. It strips away the glamor of film without having to try, because the day-to-day triumphs and tragedies are right there on the screen.

It doesn’t try to hammer out some narrative to fit storytelling purposes, and it accurately represents the nonlinear path that most artists must take to complete their projects. Mark Borchardt isn’t some misunderstood genius, but a regular guy who is trying to reach out to the world through his work. Hollywood often mythologizes film, but American Movie does not.

Great comedies must have an airtight story, but documentaries are allowed a bit more freedom in their narrative approach. This advantage allows American Movie to pass many of its comedy counterparts because whatever happens is humorous in its own way. Filmmaking is still widely misunderstood, but American Movie comes closest to explaining its allure.