by Choosing the Funniest Harrison Ford Movies
Harrison Ford is known primarily for his iconic roles in blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. However, the legendary actor has also shown off his comedic chops in several underrated comedy films throughout his career. While Ford is often associated with action and adventure, he has proven himself more than capable of eliciting laughs from audiences as well. Picking the absolute funniest Harrison Ford movies can be subjective based on personal taste, but there are a few titles that consistently top people’s lists. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at 3 popular comedic Harrison Ford roles that exemplify his underrated skills in the comedy genre.
Working Girl (1988)
One of Ford’s earliest forays into comedy came with the 1988 romantic comedy Working Girl, which also starred Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver. In the film, Griffith plays Tess McGill, an ambitious secretary in New York City who dreams of climbing the corporate ladder. When her boss Katharine Parker (Weaver) breaks her leg skiing, Tess sees an opportunity to step in and try to broker a big deal of her own. To do so, she enlists the help of broker Jack Trainer (Ford), who initially treats Tess with disdain but grows to respect her business acumen.
Ford brings the right amount of cynicism and charm to the role of Jack. As a cutthroat Wall Street broker, he looks down on Tess and sees her as just another secretary. But when she proves herself capable, he begins to warm up to her persistent efforts. Some of the funniest scenes involve Tess manipulating Jack into helping her without him realizing. She spins elaborate stories and schemes to get him to further her agenda, and Ford sells Jack’s befuddlement perfectly. You can see the wheels turning as he tries to figure out how this secretary keeps getting one over on him.
The romantic chemistry between Ford and Griffith’s characters also adds to the comedy. As Tess gains confidence, she stands up to Jack’s arrogance more and more. Their banter becomes flirtatious as they realize they may have misjudged one another. Ford and Griffith play well off each other in these moments, conveying an enemies-to-lovers dynamic with humor and charm. Overall, Working Girl allowed Ford to show a lighter, more playful side compared to his usual action roles. His performance as the cynical yet charming Jack Trainer makes the movie one of his most memorable comedic turns.
Air Force One (1997)
While Air Force One is primarily an action thriller, it also has its share of comedic moments courtesy of Ford’s performance as President James Marshall. In the film, a group of Russian terrorists led by Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) hijack the Air Force One plane with the President and his family on board. Marshall must outwit the terrorists and take the fight to them to rescue the hostages. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Air Force One keeps the tension high throughout. But Ford brings some humor to the role of a badass President who refuses to back down.
One of the funniest scenes comes early on when Korshunov first confronts Marshall and demands the release of their imprisoned comrades. Ford delivers his lines to Oldman with intimidating resolve, making it clear he won’t negotiate with terrorists. But there’s also a sly grin on his face, as if he’s privately enjoying toying with and outraging the terrorist leader. You get the sense that even in this life-or-death situation, Marshall is in control and finds the hijackers amusing.
Later, when all hope seems lost, Marshall surprises Korshunov with an attack. But first, he quips “Get off my plane!” with a smirk, eliciting laughs from audiences even in this intense moment. Ford understands the value of levity to cut through tension. He uses Marshall’s confidence and quick wit to keep the tone entertaining even amidst all the action. It’s a testament to his comedic skills that Air Force One remains such an edge-of-your-seat thriller yet also memorable for its humorous presidential one-liners.
Heroes & Villains (2003)
While not a major box office success, Heroes & Villains offered a change of pace for Ford with its slapstick Western comedy premise. In the film, washed-up Western actor Cash McCall (Ford) is mistaken for the real bounty hunter of the same name. He takes on the job of capturing outlaw Samantha Payne (Brenda Blethyn) to prove himself. However, Cash is far from a tough bounty hunter – he’s merely a actor who has played one on screen. This sets the stage for plenty of physical comedy as Cash bumbles his way through the job.
Much of the humor comes from Ford fully embracing his character’s ineptitude. As an actor who’s lost his touch, Cash thinks he can handle being a real bounty hunter but clearly cannot. This leads to some hilarious fight and chase scenes where he’s easily overpowered. Ford sells Cash’s haplessness and panic perfectly through exaggerated facial expressions and body language. You can see him fully committing to the absurd physical comedy of the role.
There’s also comedic chemistry between Ford and co-star Blethyn. As the hardened outlaw Samantha, Blethyn more than holds her own against Cash. She sees right through his fake tough guy act and isn’t afraid to mock him for it. Their banter is snappy and fuels much of the humor. Ford shines in these interactions, playing well off Blethyn’s energy. Heroes & Villains allowed him to loosen up and get silly in a role unlike anything else in his filmography. It’s a side of Ford that doesn’t always get recognized but is hugely entertaining.
Additional Comedy Roles
While the three films above are among Ford’s most celebrated comedic performances, there are other roles that further showcase his range. In 1986’s The Mosquito Coast, based on the novel by Paul Theroux, Ford starred as Allie Fox – an eccentric inventor who uproots his family to the jungles of Honduras. The film had many dramatic elements but was also notable for Ford’s unhinged and funny portrayal of the obsessive Fox.
In 2000, Ford lent his voice talents to the animated comedy film Fly Me to the Moon, playing a cocky fly named Frankie who dreams of becoming an astronaut. His brash yet charming fly character was a fun departure from his usual live-action roles. More recently, in 2015’s comedy sequel Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Ford had a memorable cameo as legendary newscaster Mack Tannen. He stole many of his scenes with his trademark deadpan delivery.
While action will likely always be what Ford is best known for, these comedic roles prove he has impeccable timing and an understated gift for humor. Even in smaller parts, he brings an effortless charm and wit. When given a meatier comedic lead role, as in Working Girl, Air Force One or Heroes & Villains, he truly shines. Ford understands comedy isn’t just about jokes – it’s about nuance, reaction and playing against type. He’s comfortable being silly or subverting expectations, adding new dimensions to the movie star persona he’s built over decades. For fans who only associate Ford with blockbusters, exploring his comedy work offers a fun new appreciation of his talents.
In Conclusion
Harrison Ford is an icon who has brought some of the biggest and most beloved characters in cinema history to life. But beyond the action hero roles, he has also flexed his comedic muscles quite successfully in several underrated comedy films. While picking the absolute “funniest” is subjective, Working Girl, Air Force One and Heroes & Villains offer some of Ford’s most memorable leading man performances in the comedy genre. He displays impeccable comedic timing and an ability to loosen up and find humor even in intense situations. These roles are a testament to Ford’s versatility as an actor and remind audiences of his understated gift for eliciting laughs. With over four decades in the business, Harrison Ford continues to surprise fans by subverting expectations in roles both dramatic and comedic.
