Popeye

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Popeye is available in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Robin Williams is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Kanopy and see for yourself.

Popeye arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The jokes in Popeye land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Popeye is a super-strong, spinach-scarfing sailor man who's searching for his father. During a storm that wrecks his ship, Popeye washes ashore and winds up rooming at the Oyl household, where he meets Olive. Before he can win her heart, he must first contend with Olive's fiancé, Bluto. Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1980. The timing in Popeye is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Popeye is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Robin Williams is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.