Epilepsy, often seen as a serious and sometimes stigmatized condition, can also be portrayed with a touch of humour. This collection of films brings together ten comedies that manage to weave epilepsy into their narratives in a way that's both respectful and laugh-out-loud funny. These films not only entertain but also educate, offering a unique perspective on living with epilepsy. Each film has been carefully selected for its British English dubbing, ensuring an authentic viewing experience for UK audiences.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Description: This French film, dubbed into British English, includes a scene where the protagonist, who has locked-in syndrome, experiences a seizure, handled with both pathos and humour.
Fact: It won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.
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The Savages (2007)
Description: Although not strictly a comedy, this film has comedic elements where the siblings deal with their father's health issues, including a humorous scene involving an epileptic episode.
Fact: The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Laura Linney.
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The Intouchables (2011)
Description: While not directly about epilepsy, this French film, which has been dubbed into British English, features a character with a disability who experiences humorous situations.
Fact: It became the second highest-grossing non-English language film in the US.
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The Sessions (2012)
Description: This film, while more dramatic, includes moments of levity and a character dealing with post-polio syndrome, which can involve seizures.
Fact: John Hawkes was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.
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The Best of Me (2014)
Description: This romantic drama includes a subplot where one of the characters has epilepsy, and the film handles it with a mix of drama and light-hearted moments.
Fact: Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, known for his romantic storytelling.
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The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Description: While primarily a drama, this film includes comedic relief and a character with epilepsy, portrayed with sensitivity.
Fact: The film was a commercial success, grossing over $307 million worldwide.
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The Theory of Everything (2014)
Description: While focusing on Stephen Hawking's life, this film includes moments where his condition, which includes seizures, is portrayed with both gravity and light-heartedness.
Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hawking.
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The Big Sick (2017)
Description: This film, while primarily a romantic comedy, includes a subplot where the protagonist's girlfriend falls into a medically induced coma due to an illness, which is handled with both sensitivity and humour.
Fact: The film is based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon, who co-wrote the screenplay.
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The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Description: A road trip comedy where the caretaker's charge has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but the film includes light-hearted moments involving medical conditions.
Fact: Based on the novel "The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving" by Jonathan Evison.
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The Upside (2017)
Description: This comedy-drama features a scene where the main character, who is paralyzed, experiences a seizure, handled with both humour and dignity.
Fact: It's a remake of the French film "Intouchables," which was a massive international success.
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