The Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan has made a career out of big, ambitious movies, mind-bending mysteries, and emotionally charged dramas. However, one surprising genre really scares him: romantic comedy.
Christopher Nolan Says Making People Laugh Is Harder Than Directing Epics
Facing the challenge of making people laugh repeatedly is perhaps the most difficult task a director can have, Nolan said, citing his own films as examples of those that have been visually spectacular, like ‘Inception’, ‘Interstellar’, and now ‘The Odyssey’.
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“I think doing a rom-com would be incredibly difficult, I love those. I love watching those movies, but no. I think comedy, like people who direct comedy, people who do comedy, I think that’s one of the hardest things in the world,” he shared on the Jimmy Fallon Show.
His stories are often complicated and open to interpretation, but he doesn’t think that’s the case with comedy. “To make people laugh that way, particularly the risk-taking. When you make a film, if I show a film to people and maybe they don’t respond to bits of it, I’m like, “Ah, they don’t get it,” you know, whatever.”
The filmmaker commended the directors and actors who specialize in comedy, stating that the craft was very difficult as the success is instant and evident. According to Nolan, a joke either lands or it doesn’t. There’s no faulting the complexity of the story or the subtlety of the theme if an audience remains silent during a comedy.
The reaction is immediate, and the genre is extremely unforgiving. It’s that pressure that terrifies him to direct a romantic comedy, even though he loves watching them. His remarks underline his appreciation for directors who can keep audiences laughing.
Comedy Is A Different Kind Of Creative Challenge, Even For Nolan
Nolan’s body of work has always been known for its complex storylines, philosophical themes, and grand-scale film experiences. However, his new comments reveal that even one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors has boundaries to his creative comfort zone.
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It’s a reminder that all genres have their own requirements. Nolan has learned how to do suspense, science fiction, and historical drama. However, he admits that comedy is a different skill set, and he likes it a lot, but he’s not ready to test himself in it.
His honesty, too, offers a window into the mind of a man who is still pushing himself to his limits while acknowledging others’ gifts. Instead of saying that he could tackle any genre, Nolan says romantic comedy is one mountain he would rather not climb. It’s surprising from a director known for his creative experimentation.
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