1. Orphans. 1996, UK, Peter Mullan
Sweary Scottish folk smash statues of the Virgin Mary, manhandle disabled people and get semen in their faces. And it's bookended by a death and a funeral. OK, so it's not all played for laughs but Peter Mullan's directorial debut is melting with dark, wry humour almost winning out amongst the inevitable dour Celticiana.
2. Harold and Maude. 1971, USA, Hal Ashby
The seventies saw suicide becoming painless in MASH so it was almost inevitable that the ultimate form of self abuse would become funny. Bud Cort constructs fake suicides with theatrical abandon in between falling in love with an eighty year old. Oh, that Hal Ashby and his counter-cultural ways.
3. The Idiots. 1998, Denmark, Lars Von Trier
Lars Von Trier's foray into dogme sees a bunch of 20-something pretend to be mentally ill. Just for something to do. As if offending the audience's sensibilities wasn't enough, Trier throws in some penetrative sex for good measure in this ugly, rather patchy, movie.
4. Abigail's Party. 1977, UK, Mike Leigh
Put some of the most awful characters you'd ever not hope to meet into a room, and it'll be something like Mike Leigh's slice of gauche, middle class horror. Alison Steadman rides on a tidal wave of estuary English over the other actors to steal the show in this modern classic.
5. Fargo. 1996, USA, Joel/Ethan Coen
Black as kohl, this is an obvious choice for the list. The key here is Frances McDormand, whose sturdy, but humane, police officer offers a sweetness and warmth which makes the black comedy writhing around her even more delicious.
And on a related note:
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