Comedy is one of those genres that is, by design, disruptive. It frequently turns established mores and ways of looking at the world on their heads, sometimes forcing us to look at the world in new ways.
As a result, it might seem at first glance that comedy and Capricorns are not really compatible. After all, Capricorn is one of the most practical and grounded members of the zodiac. With a little determination, however, even the most dour Capricorn can find a comedy to love. Here are 5 comedies that even a Capricorn will fall in love with, and 5 more they'll just end up loathing.
LOVE: Harold and Maude (1971)
Given the fact that Capricorns tend to be a bit dry when it comes to their sense of humor, they are usually not terribly attracted to uproariousness or slapstick. Fortunately, this film is neither of those things. Instead, it’s a dry little comedy about a young man who finds himself increasingly attracted to a much older woman.
Though it is of course a funny film, there is also something deeply philosophical and a little bit sweet about its narrative, both of which will appeal to the Capricorn.
HATE: The Mask (1994)
Throughout the '90s, Jim Carrey established a reputation for a particular style of comedic acting that involved an excessive physicality that very few have ever achieved. This film puts all of that on display, giving Carrey license to do things that almost no other actor could have gotten away with.
However, it is precisely the excessive qualities of the film that the Capricorn will find so off-putting, and it is doubtful whether they will even be able to finish the film at all.
LOVE: Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying & Love The Bomb (1964)
Capricorns have a bit of a tendency to look on the dark side of things, which is one of the reasons that it’s difficult to find a comedy that they will truly enjoy. Fortunately for even the most discerning and picky Capricorn, there is this film, which is a perfect distillation of the atomic anxieties that were such a key part of the American psyche during the 1960s.
There’s a bleak pessimism to the humor in this film, one that reminds us of the absurdity of modern life.
HATE: Wayne’s World (1992)
While comedy can be a chaotic genre, even a Capricorn isn't immune to some good anarchic fun. However, there are some exceptions to that rule.
There’s no question that there’s a lot of chemistry between Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, the lead actors in this film. It is, of course, based on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name, which means that the film as a whole tends to lean into the slapstick nature of the comedy. While Capricorns might find this fun at first, very quickly they will find that it is difficult to make a five minute sketch into a truly compelling and enjoyable feature film.
LOVE: The Death of Stalin (2017)
Although the death of one of the most infamous tyrants in the 20th century might not seem like the most obvious choice for a black comedy, that’s precisely what you get from this film, directed by none other than the genius Armando Iannucci- creator of hits Veep and Avenue 5.
In addition to a biting and incisive script, the film also features a truly stellar cast that will have Capricorns smiling wryly at their various antics, as well as the slyness of the jokes.
HATE: Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
This is one of those films that it is almost impossible to describe unless you’ve actually seen it or were around when it was released. Despite the fact that it has produced a veritable treasure trove of internet memes, it’s still hard to say why, precisely, the film is so appealing.
It is definitely not funny in the way that one normally associates with comedy, and it is unlikely that the pragmatic and often sensible Capricorns will appreciate its off-beat sensibility.
LOVE: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (1987)
If there’s one thing that the Capricorns enjoys, it’s seeing hard work and diligence pay off. There is thus much for this sensible sign to enjoy in this film, which stars Steve Martin and John Candy. They will, no doubt, find themselves identifying with Martin’s character who, rather unusually, plays the straight man.
It’s also a very earnest and endearing film about the importance of friendship and the ways in which bonds can form between even the unlikeliest of people.
HATE: Blazing Saddles (1974)
In the annals of film comedy, director and writer Mel Brooks stands above everyone else. His films are known for their incredibly irreverent takes on almost every genre and on almost every issue in American culture.
This film is considered one of his classics, though there are questions as to whether its off-collar sensibility is really suitable or compatible with the values espoused today. Given how sensitive Capricorns can be about various things, it’s doubtful that they will appreciate the way that this film deals with, among other issues, race.
LOVE: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
This comedy is peak '90s, from its narrative about a broken family to its featuring of Robin Williams, one of the most brilliant comedic actors of his generation. Its story - about a man who masquerades as a British nanny in order to maintain contact with his children - still manages to be touching even now, almost twenty years after its initial release.
Capricorns will admire the main character’s diligence and determination to be a part of his children’s lives, no matter the obstacles in his path.
HATE: Bridesmaids (2011)
This film is noteworthy for the fact that it starred an almost all-female cast. It is also extraordinary for the fact that it showed women in a gross comedy, typically a genre that is associated with men and their adolescent behavior.
Given that Capricorns can, at times, be a little bit stuffy and prissy about issues like this, it’s doubtful that they will enjoy some of the film’s more blatantly offensive and grotesque moments.