Try a bit of comic relief, even in offbeat forms

Above: Juliette Binoche stars in the offbeat French comedy "Slack Bay." (Photo: Kino Now)

Movie fans familiar with Kino Lorber, the New York-base movie distribution company, know all about Kino Now. Especially during this time of theatrical lockdown, Kino Now is one of the best outlets for finding obscure cinema.

I’ve written about Kino Now in the past. Today’s post, though, is about a string of films that the streaming site is calling “Offbeat Comedy.”

Of course, probably more than any other emotional response, finding something funny is a personal choice. Some people wince when they see people trip and fall. Others die laughing — at least virtually. To quote the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, so it goes.

That’s why the lineup Kino Now is emphasizing is … well, designed to appeal to what might best be described as individual tastes. Here are a few choice examples:

“Benjamin” (2018): This British film follows the life of a gay filmmaker feeling anxious on the eve of a premiere while trying to adapt to a new romance. $4.99 to rent.

“Slack Bay” (2017): French filmmaker Bruno Dumont cast Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche in this slapstick farce about missing tourists on a summer holiday. $4.99 to rent.

“Momma’s Man” (2008): When an adult man finds himself living back with his New York parents, he begins to regress in what Variety describes as “melancholy emotional realities with unexpected moments of Chaplinesque comedy." $4.99 to rent.

“Paulette” (2012): A French retiree living alone discovers a way to supplement her meager income – by selling cannabis. $4.99 to rent.

To access the full range of Kino Now’s comedy collection, click here. And relax. Sooner or later, you're bound to laugh.