Don Cheadle’s Annual Comedy Ritual: The Film He Can’t Resist
Don Cheadle opens up about the films that have left a mark on him, including a classic comedy he returns to every year for a guaranteed laugh. He also reflects on dramas that shaped his outlook.
Don Cheadle’s career has seen him star in plenty of films that punters love to revisit, especially those big blockbusters and slick heist flicks. But when it comes to his own viewing habits, there’s one comedy he reckons is simply unbeatable for a good laugh, and he makes a point of watching it every year.
Hidden Gems and Lasting Impressions
Asked about his top picks, Cheadle didn’t just rattle off the usual suspects. Among his favourites is Man Facing Southeast, a 1986 Argentine sci-fi drama about a psychiatric patient who claims to be from another planet.
“It’s a great meditation on how we treat and mistreat ‘the other’,”
he says.
“A magical, thought-provoking film that I saw at a time in my life when I was questioning a lot of things about the nature of humanity and how we react when we come up against the unknown and unknowable.”
He also singles out City of God from 2002 and Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic Dr Strangelove. Cheadle is quick to praise Peter Sellers’ performance, calling it a showcase of rare talent.
“Another perfect film showcasing the brilliance of the one and only, never-to-be-seen-again talents of Peter Sellers. What a beast. Kubrick actually wanted him to play another character. I can only imagine what he would have done with that.”
The Comedy He Can’t Go Past
But the film that keeps him coming back, year after year, is the original The In-Laws from 1979. Cheadle doesn’t mince words about how much it cracks him up.
“It makes me pee with laughter,”
he admits.
“Peter Falk and Alan Arkin are a perfect combination and play off each other so well in this ridiculous movie. I watch it at least once a year.”
This action-comedy, directed by Arthur Hiller, follows a dentist and a supposed CIA agent as they stumble through a series of wild misadventures just before their kids’ wedding. The cast, including Richard Libertini and Nancy Dussault, delivers a kind of comedy that critics at the time couldn’t help but praise. The 2003 remake, on the other hand, didn’t get much love, with Cheadle reckoning it’s a good example of why some things are better left untouched.
Dramas That Shaped His Worldview
Rounding out his list, Cheadle mentions Sounder from 1972, a film that struck a chord with him as a young bloke.
“Another film that I saw at an impressionable time in my life that served for me as a beautiful testament to the power of love in the face of absolute injustice and oppression,”
he reflects.
Though he’s not usually known for his comedic roles—aside from the odd quip in those big ensemble films—Cheadle’s choices show a clear appreciation for stories that dig deep. Still, he’s the first to admit that sometimes, you just need a film that’s all about the laughs, and for him, The In-Laws is the one that never fails to deliver.