Fish Out of Water Comedy

They Really Don't Belong Here

In a fish out of water comedy film, the main character or character finds himself in an unusual environment, which drives most of the humour. Situations can be swapping gender roles, as in Tootsie (1982); an age changing role, as in Big (1988); a freedom-loving individual fitting into a structured environment, as in Police Academy (1984); a rural backwoodsman in the big city, as in “Crocodile” Dundee, and so forth. The Coen Brothers are known for using this technique in all of their films, though not always to comic effect. Some films including people fitting the “fish-out-of-water” bill include The Big Lebowski, A Serious Man, Beverly Hills Ninja and Happy Gilmore.