Addicted to laughs

No joking matter? Not according to these flicks

“Confessions of a Shopaholic” has already raised eyebrows for its on screen portrait of excessive spending during financially dire times off screen. But that’s not the only controversial element of the seemingly cheerful Disney romantic comedy.

The story of a heroine hopelessly addicted to snagging hot-off-the-runway fashions and accessories begs a more primal, timeless question: is there anything funny about the very serious matter of human addiction?

Well, yes, actually. By skewering the inescapable habits that consume us all, comedies have a proven ability to elicit big laughs. Here’s a look back at some of the silliest addicts to ever hit the big screen, along with a diagnosis of how successfully each delivered a satisfying shot straight to the funny bone. —Brett Buckalew, Special to Metromix