I saw Muriel's Wedding yesterday, and I thought it was a pretty good film, but (and I fear I am becoming predictable) what kind of person calls it a comedy? That's what the Times called it. It seems like a film has to be unilaterally depressing and worthy to escape being labelled a comedy. It was somewhat absurd certainly, and I did like it, but it didn't crack me up exactly. A summary of plot elements:

• One dysfunctional family


• One daughter measures her worth by her ability to marry


• The father blames his family for his lack of success


• Cancer and paralysis


• A sham marriage

I suppose you could make a comedy out of that, but, well, they didn't. Don't get me started on peope calling things black comedies...