Homo Ludens as a Comic Character in Selected American Films / by Artur Skweres.
Skweres, Artur., author
2017
NX280-410
Available Online

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Title Homo Ludens as a Comic Character in Selected American Films / by Artur Skweres.
Author Skweres, Artur., author
ISBN 3319479660
9783319479668
3319479679
9783319479675
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47967-5.
Published Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint : Springer, 2017.
Language English
Description 1 online resource (XVIII, 97 pages 20 illustrations)
Other Standard Identifiers 10.1007/978-3-319-47967-5. doi
Call Number NX280-410
Dewey Decimal Classification 700.71
Summary This book reveals the hitherto critically disregarded ludic elements in popular American comedy films, building on and expanding the theories developed by Johan Huizinga in his classic study Homo Ludens(1938) and Roger Caillois in Les jeux et les hommes (1958). To address the lack of attention paid to the play principle in film comedy studies, this book focuses exclusively on the elements typical of play that can be found in movies. It introduces two new categories describing play: óneiros and pragma, which allow analysis of how play in comedies is influenced by the relations between the player and non-players. The text is supplemented by the use of the author's drawings, which, because of their analytical and selective nature, are used as a tool for visual study. The play principle has a long tradition in American humor and the films examined here were chosen for their popularity and wide appeal, often acting as vehicles for Hollywood stars (e.g. Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Goldie Hawn, Mike Myers, Jackie Chan or Chris Tucker). The actors' status allowed the filmmakers to construct situations in which the protagonists distanced themselves from the fictional situation. It is argued that the playful detachment from reality, typifying many of the fictional characters portrayed by actors with star status, is characteristic of the play principle in film. Another major consideration is the hotly debated notion of the accomplishment of goals in playful activities, and the book strongly supports the position that in narratives, play can (but does not have to) yield important results. The introduction of the categories of óneiros and pragma in play serves to highlight the complex relation between playfulness and practicality in the films discussed. Building on a comprehensive analysis of the ludic elements in selected popular American comedies, the book makes an important contribution to film studies, providing a unique perspective through its focus on the concept of homo ludens as a comic hero.
Bibliography, etc. Note Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters.
Access Note Access limited to authorized users.
Digital File Characteristics text file PDF
Series Second language learning and teaching, 2193-7648
Available in Other Form Homo Ludens as a comic character in selected American films.
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All Resources
Comic Character as Homo Ludens
Agon in Groundhog Day and Feds
Alea in Spies Like Us, Bowfinger, Taking Care of Business, and Brewster's Millions
Mimicry in ¡Three Amigos!, Austin Powers, and HouseSitter
Ilinx in Rush Hour and Showtime
Conclusion.

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