Glass Onion
I recently rewatched Glass Onion and had a couple thoughts about it.
1. Before settling in to watch, I’d remembered that Edward Norton’s mega-billionaire character Miles Bron bore some resemblance to Elon Musk, but I’d forgotten that the whole plot of the movie revolves around what a blustering dope, what a dumb charlatan, what a dim-witted con man Bron/Musk is. As we endure this political moment dominated by halfwit flimflammers, witnessing Bron’s downfall orchestrated by a gay detective and a Black woman was surprisingly cathartic.
2. I love films like this! Like Knives Out, Glass Onion is stacked with acting talent, helmed by a great writer/director, funny & dramatic, and, crucially, doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a sense that everyone is having a good time, with a wink at the audience. And they’re just flat-out fun to watch. Is there a name for movies like this? A micro-genre? The type of movie you could imagine Muppets being a part of without too many changes?
I’d include movies like the Ocean’s series, Lucky Logan, some of Wes Anderson’s films, perhaps Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot trilogy, and maybe even Mike White’s The White Lotus series. Like, what do we call these winking prestige ensemble dramedy thrillers? (Surely we can’t call them “winking prestige ensemble dramedy thrillers”.) And what other films would you include?
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On completely different sides of the spectrum, both True Romance and Scott Pilgrim vs The World do this for me now.
I love the callout of this genre and see no reason to edit your nomenclature whatsoever :)
Glass Onion will be a balm of a rewatch with the kids, thanks!
I would call this genre a "caper".
Ooh, I like this. And it reminds me of childhood favorite Cannonball Run. But capers tend to be screwball comedies and that's not exactly what I'm getting at here. How about "prestige caper" instead?
Yeah, it kinda falls down with the White Lotus. The winking part definitely applies to Only Murders and, as someone says below, The Afterparty. There's probably a good term in the postmodern irony lexicon...
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and the Pink Panther movies for me. Oh and definitely Trading Places.
To use some video game nomenclature with a wink: RobertAltman-Likes?
Caper movies that respect the audience are rare, and they are to be treasured. Perhaps Clue as well? Maybe Sneakers?
I feel like Clue is an easy pull here.
On the TV side I'm rewatching Moonlighting for maybe the first time since it first aired. It famously breaks the fourth wall all the time but like these caper movies seems to have a lot of fun doing it. Every so often they'll just walk into the back set and sing a song with the whole crew. It would be annoying if it weren't so charming.
On TV: The Afterparty
Ooh good call! Very underappreciated show (like a lot of Apple TV shows).
"The Italian Job," absolutely. Which is another Edward Norton job come to think of it.
I’d say Snatch.
Oh and Baby Driver!
Nice Guys
The distinction seems to be the humor they lead with. They don't take themselves too seriously, and they're filled with charismatic actors. They're easy hang movies for sure, and I love them all.
It reminds me of an interview I read ... sometime ... with ... someone ... where they talked about casting comedic actors in dramas being something of a cheat code because they bring a likability to the roles, and casting dramatic actors in comedies also being a cheat code because they ground everything in reality. I'm deeply paraphrasing here, but the movies you're pointing to all seem to do both somehow. They don't take themselves too seriously, but they're grounded in everyone fully committing. To me that tidies up the boundaries, though it kind of omits many conman movies and probably the Agatha Christie movies you pointed to in your post.
I'd add A Fish Called Wanda. Maybe Burn After Reading? Is that too winking? Also This Is the End is pretty similar, though your mileage may vary there.
A few that are tonally there, but not ensembles: Hopscotch, The In-Laws, Midnight Run, The Nice Guys, maybe Out of Sight.
I would add Out of Sight and The Thomas Crown Affair, Jackie Brown, and older movies like Charade or To Catch a Thief. Charade is described as a romantic screwball comedy mystery film. Complicated plots with a sense of humor, but actual action as well. Prestige Caper does seem to capture a lot of that.
Also on the TV side, Rian Johnson’s show Poker Face did the same thing. Tons of talent and charm, full of knowing winks and references. I loved every bit of it.
Perhaps not quite as prestige but I have to say how much I love Murder Mystery and Murder Mystery 2. Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler are the best sleuthing couple I never knew I needed! Also they’re just fantastic together.
Minna has been recommending these to me, gonna watch!
About halfway through Conclave I found myself thinking, hey this isn’t a million miles away from a Knives Out film. Dealing with some weightier issues perhaps, but there’s definitely a similar energy and pace to it. And there’s a touch of point-and-click adventure to them – something really enjoyable watching a detective hero at the centre of a mystery all going back and forth between all the characters in a clearly defined environment, gradually unveiling all their secrets.
You know, I think you might be right about this. Conclave also fits into whatever genre Spotlight & The Post are in as well.
It's a minor stretch, but I'd argue that Galaxy Quest comes close to fitting in this category. An absolutely stacked cast of great actors, and it knew exactly how seriously to take itself.
Even Tim Allen is mostly tolerable in it, because he's essentially (and unintentionally) parodying himself.
Ham on Wry
A movie that just popped into my head that I don't think anyone else mentioned: The Big Short.
ooh yes, and similarly, "the laundromat"
I'd describe these as "Ensemble Hangout Movies with a Plot" or Workplace Movies on Location (with the plot or work frequently being crime, spying, or other detective stuff).
See How They Run is a pretty good movie that fits in what has been suggested recently and seems rarely talked about.
The feeling I get after watching a bunch of these is similar to what I feel like after attending a dinner party with good friends.
I’d like to think that’s what it felt like for the cast too.
Not sure if it quite fits with all your criteria, but The Sting always scratches a similar itch for me.
Another Rian Johnson banger: The Brothers Bloom! Great cast, amazing soundtrack.
I’m gonna throw in a vote for any if the Blood and Ice Cream trilogy, though Sean of the Dead still rules that heap.
What about a "Haute Caper"? ... or better yet, a "Chic Caper" ?! ... or for those less stylish/fashionable ones a "Slick Caper"?! 🕵️♂️🤔 Ok, I'm done. 🤣
Also, I wanted to say "Yes!"... These are my go-to movies. I get to pick my own adventure: intently watch, laugh with, have as background noise, nap to, clean-the-house to, nearly ignore, do something else entirely, and/or all of the above, with many more options. They feel like good, casual friends. Easy to enjoy. Company you love. They're always there for you. Ready entertain, distract, or comfort just when you need them.
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