by Tom Hiddleston is one of the most talented and versatile actors working today. While he is best known for his dramatic roles in films like Thor and The Night Manager, Hiddleston has shown he has excellent comedic timing as well in movies like Jojo Rabbit and Only Lovers Left Alive. Unfortunately, the actor has not publicly disclosed his all-time favorite comedies. However, based on his filmography and roles he has chosen, we can speculate about some comedic films that Hiddleston might truly enjoy and appreciate. Here are a few that seem like they would be right up his alley.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
This cult British comedy from Monty Python is considered one of the funniest movies ever made. Telling the absurd tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail, the film is filled with surreal non-sequiturs, silly situations, and absurd humor.
As an English actor who trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Hiddleston surely has an appreciation for British comedy. Monty Python was massively influential in comedy and their unique style would resonate with Hiddleston’s own comedic talents. He has proven he excels at physical comedy, slapstick, and playing eccentric characters – all hallmarks of Monty Python’s work.
One can easily imagine Hiddleston delighting in and quoting some of the film’s most memorable scenes, like the black knight insisting “it’s just a flesh wound” or the killer rabbit attacking Arthur and his men. The absurdist and irreverent humor aligns with Hiddleston’s own comedic sensibilities as well. He seems to have a great appreciation for clever, quirky comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the epitome of that style of comedy.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Coen Brothers are renowned American filmmakers respected for their unique brand of darkly comedic movies. One of their most beloved films is the 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges as “The Dude.” With its memorable characters, idiosyncratic dialogue, and unconventional plot centered around bowling, the movie has developed a huge following over the years for its offbeat humor and style.
Hiddleston seems like he would be drawn to the quirkiness of The Big Lebowski. Like Monty Python, it has a one-of-a-kind comedic tone and voice that subverts conventions. The actor excels at playing eccentric personalities, so he’d likely relish the opportunity to inhabit someone as strange as The Dude or other supporting players like Walter Sobchak. Hiddleston also possesses a flair for physical comedy, so he’d probably get a kick out of some of the slapstick pratfalls and fight scenes.
Additionally, Hiddleston has proven his talent for impersonations and accents. One can easily picture him delighting friends by performing dead-on impressions of memorable Big Lebowski lines. The film’s idiosyncratic dialogue is so iconic that it has entered popular culture. Hiddleston strikes me as someone with an affinity for comedy that has endured to become a cult phenomenon, as The Big Lebowski certainly has. All in all, it seems like a movie right in Hiddleston’s wheelhouse.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Another Coen Brothers classic that would likely appeal to Hiddleston is the 2008 dark comedy Burn After Reading. Starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, and Brad Pitt, the film centers around a series of miscommunications that ensue after a gym employee, played by Frances McDormand, discovers a CD containing former CIA agent George Clooney’s memoirs.
What makes Burn After Reading such a compelling pick is that it combines suspense with absurd humor – a balance Hiddleston has proven drawn to in projects like Only Lovers Left Alive. The Coens are masters of toeing that line between comedy and thriller, and Burn After Reading exemplifies their skill at crafting black comedy out of tense situations. Hiddleston seems to relish roles that allow him to play with different tones in the same project.
Additionally, the star-studded cast of Burn After Reading would be right up Hiddleston’s alley. He clearly enjoys working with esteemed actors and relishes roles where he can spar with great talents, like in films like Only Lovers Left Alive alongside Tilda Swinton. Hiddleston’s own talents would allow him to hold his own against powerhouse actors like Clooney, Malkovich, and Pitt. The farcical situations and characters in Burn After Reading play to Hiddleston’s skills at physical, deadpan comedy. Overall, it’s a movie that highlights his versatility and talent for blending genres.
Life of Brian (1979)
No list of comedies Hiddleston might enjoy would be complete without another Monty Python classic – Life of Brian. Often considered Python’s most accomplished film, Life of Brian tells the tale of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish man who is born on the same day as Jesus Christ and inadvertently gets mistaken for the Messiah. Packed to the brim with biting satire and hilarious gags, it remains one of the most famously funny films in British comedy.
As with Holy Grail, Hiddleston’s background in British comedy and acting style aligns perfectly with the absurdist, irreverent humor of Life of Brian. The film requires a deft comic touch to pull off its satirical jokes and gags while still grounding the absurdity. Hiddleston has proven he possesses that balance of skills through projects that allow him to play with tone, like Only Lovers Left Alive. He also seems drawn to roles that require quick wit, intelligence, and comedic timing – all talents showcased in Life of Brian.
Additionally, Hiddleston has shown an affinity for period pieces and stories with religious or mythological themes through films like The Night Manager, Thor, and Crimson Peak. Life of Brian puts a comedic spin on such subject matter that plays with expectations. This type of subversive storytelling that challenges conventions through humor likely appeals to Hiddleston’s sensibilities. Overall, his talents and interests suggest Life of Brian would be right up his alley as another Monty Python masterpiece.
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
One of the most compelling picks for a comedy Hiddleston would enjoy is Taika Waititi’s 2019 film Jojo Rabbit. Not only did Hiddleston appear in a supporting role in the movie, but its unique blend of absurd humor and pathos aligns perfectly with projects Hiddleston gravitates towards. Jojo Rabbit tells the story of a young German boy named Jojo whose world view is turned upside down after discovering his mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their home during World War II.
Hiddleston excels at roles that require balancing tones, like the absurd antics of his character in Jojo Rabbit alongside more dramatic emotional beats. The film’s tonal blend of slapstick and satire with sincere emotion and commentary would appeal to Hiddleston as an actor. He also seems drawn to projects that tackle complex themes or historical topics through an unconventional comedic lens, like Jojo Rabbit does with its satire of Nazi Germany.
Working with acclaimed director Taika Waititi, who has a gift for this type of offbeat storytelling, was also likely very appealing for Hiddleston. He enjoys collaborating with talented filmmakers and Waititi’s style of mixing laughter with pathos through absurdist characters clearly resonated with Hiddleston for him to join the project. Overall, Jojo Rabbit demonstrates Hiddleston’s interest in comedy that challenges norms, tackles weighty issues creatively, and allows him to showcase his range – making it a prime example of the type of film he enjoys.
Conclusion
While Tom Hiddleston’s specific favorite comedies remains unknown publicly, analyzing the roles he’s chosen and his acting talents provides clues about the comedic films he likely appreciates most. Repeated themes emerge – a penchant for British comedy like Monty Python, an affinity for the absurdist and subversive storytelling of films like The Big Lebowski and Burn After Reading, an interest in projects that play with tones like Jojo Rabbit, and an attraction to talented filmmakers pushing boundaries. Hiddleston excels at balancing humor and drama, so movies that toe that line are right up his alley. Whether quoting lines from Holy Grail or analyzing the nuances of Waititi’s direction, these films feel tailored to Hiddleston’s comedic sensibilities. While just speculation, they provide reasonable guesses into the types of comedy that bring Tom Hiddleston the most joy and laughter.
