A rare type of comedy which offers highly dramatic situations and thoughtful insights into life while simultaneously allowing the audience to laugh, often while crying. Generally, subjects such as death, questions of mortality, illness, addiction, and romantic despair are issues which are presented as beyond the control of the protagonists but are handled with humor. If used correctly, this humor can often juxtapose the drama, making it seem all the more hopeless but bearable. The idea of "laughing so you don't cry" applies here, often a popular technique of independent filmmakers.