“Comedy and drama subsist on tension,” the actor said in response to criticism to his pairing with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series
Ryan Reynolds responded to criticism over his pairing with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” franchise on Friday, defending comedy acting as an equally valid and challenging medium to dramatic work.
“Andrew’s a genius. He and Florence are magic together in, WE LIVE IN TIME. They’re heartbreaking and charming and spend the entire film in a high-wire act of humanity and constraint,” Reynolds wrote on X, formerly Twitter, responding to a since-deleted post questioning his pairing with Garfield. “And yes I am Deadpool BUT I will take a second and speak up in defense of comedy.”
Deadpool and Wolverine was one of the highest-grossing films of the year, though the comic book cinematic universe blockbuster doesn’t carry the same artistic prestige as a tearjerking tragedy about relationships and terminal illness. Still, as Reynolds asserts, comedy poses unique challenges compared to more dramatic roles that should also be taken seriously. And to be fair to Reynolds, discerning comedy and drama has become a gray area for Hollywood. After all, the Emmys have somehow considered The Bear as a comedy for the past two award shows.
“Dramatic work is difficult. And we’re also meant to SEE it’s difficult which is one of the reasons it feels visceral and effective. Comedy is also very difficult. But has an added dimension in that it’s meant to look and feel effortless,” Reynolds wrote. “You intentionally hide the stitching and unstitching. I think both disciplines are beautiful. And both work beautifully together. Comedy and drama subsist on tension. Both thrive when subverting expectation. Both thrive backstopped by real emotion. And both are deeply subjective. Your favourite comedy might be Anchorman. Mine might be Lars Von Trier’s, Melancholia.”
