Liar Liar
Page 2 of 5
Reviewed by MTMoura
Stuck, I got helplessly stuck. This is quite strange considering that I’ve actually managed to write a review for "Dumb And Dumber" once, and I refuse to believe that the movie’s premise is somehow the cause of my writer’s block, since "Liar Liar" is in fact one of my top favorites amongst all of Carrey’s movies.
Anyway, without further due, and taking advantage of what seems to be a brief flicker of inspiration, I’ll try to tell you what "Liar Liar" is all about. The story revolves around Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey), a slick, ambitious, lawyer who doesn’t have much of a problem in bending the truth a little (or a lot), whenever there’s a need for it. With a fib here and a fib there, everything goes Fletcher’s way until his always neglected son, Max (Justin Cooper), makes a wish upon blowing his fifth birthday candles, that his Dad won’t be able to tell the smallest lie for an entire day. Obviously, the wish does come true and both professional and personal havoc ensues, as Fletcher tries to fight an uncontrollable urge to be totally honest about everything and everyone that surrounds him.
The plot, helmed with ease and sense of comedic timing by Tom Shadyac ("Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "The Nutty Professor"), not only allows Carrey to display all his dexterity in the realm of physical comedy (see those amazing "The pen is blue", or the self-destructing bathroom scenes), but also allows him several changes of pace during which he can truly interact with the other characters.
© Universal Pictures
"Liar Liar" counts in its cast with an excellent set of supporting actors, whose work effectively contribute to ignite and carry the movie’s comedic situations, namely Jennifer Tilly, in a wonderful portrayal of an adulteress gold-digger and Anne Haney, as Fletcher’s dead-pan secretary, while Maura Tierney, as his ex-wife, and Justin Cooper’s performances provide the required assertiveness during the movie’s more emotional moments.
Though the fact that Jim Carrey can be credible in a serious role is nothing really new for any of his fans (i.e. "Doing Time On Maple Drive"), it is a pleasure to see him "show off" his acting skills in the movie’s dramatic scenes. It is obvious that "Liar Liar" was conceived to be above all a festival of Carrey’s comedy, but it is also another important turning-point movie, as it was "The Cable Guy". The audience is introduced to a more multi-layered Carrey, with the advantage of this being done through a sympathetic character, as opposed to the dark Cable Guy. Even if Fletcher starts by being a rather immoral character, he never truly alienates the audience. On the contrary, all the hardships that ensue from Max’s spell function much as a penance, and by the time of the movie’s dramatic climax, the viewers’ empathy with the character is complete.
© Universal Pictures
"Liar Liar" is a hilarious and straightforward comedy that stands almost uniquely on Carrey’s savoir faire and in his innate charm, but also allows us a peek at all the diversity that is still to expect from him in the future. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly advise you to give it a try, because its viewing has already been certified by the Surgeon General as the best prophylactic for cardiovascular incidents, tooth decay and deadly seriousness... Honest!
Stuck, I got helplessly stuck. This is quite strange considering that I’ve actually managed to write a review for "Dumb And Dumber" once, and I refuse to believe that the movie’s premise is somehow the cause of my writer’s block, since "Liar Liar" is in fact one of my top favorites amongst all of Carrey’s movies.
Anyway, without further due, and taking advantage of what seems to be a brief flicker of inspiration, I’ll try to tell you what "Liar Liar" is all about. The story revolves around Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey), a slick, ambitious, lawyer who doesn’t have much of a problem in bending the truth a little (or a lot), whenever there’s a need for it. With a fib here and a fib there, everything goes Fletcher’s way until his always neglected son, Max (Justin Cooper), makes a wish upon blowing his fifth birthday candles, that his Dad won’t be able to tell the smallest lie for an entire day. Obviously, the wish does come true and both professional and personal havoc ensues, as Fletcher tries to fight an uncontrollable urge to be totally honest about everything and everyone that surrounds him.
The plot, helmed with ease and sense of comedic timing by Tom Shadyac ("Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "The Nutty Professor"), not only allows Carrey to display all his dexterity in the realm of physical comedy (see those amazing "The pen is blue", or the self-destructing bathroom scenes), but also allows him several changes of pace during which he can truly interact with the other characters.
© Universal Pictures
"Liar Liar" counts in its cast with an excellent set of supporting actors, whose work effectively contribute to ignite and carry the movie’s comedic situations, namely Jennifer Tilly, in a wonderful portrayal of an adulteress gold-digger and Anne Haney, as Fletcher’s dead-pan secretary, while Maura Tierney, as his ex-wife, and Justin Cooper’s performances provide the required assertiveness during the movie’s more emotional moments.
Though the fact that Jim Carrey can be credible in a serious role is nothing really new for any of his fans (i.e. "Doing Time On Maple Drive"), it is a pleasure to see him "show off" his acting skills in the movie’s dramatic scenes. It is obvious that "Liar Liar" was conceived to be above all a festival of Carrey’s comedy, but it is also another important turning-point movie, as it was "The Cable Guy". The audience is introduced to a more multi-layered Carrey, with the advantage of this being done through a sympathetic character, as opposed to the dark Cable Guy. Even if Fletcher starts by being a rather immoral character, he never truly alienates the audience. On the contrary, all the hardships that ensue from Max’s spell function much as a penance, and by the time of the movie’s dramatic climax, the viewers’ empathy with the character is complete.
© Universal Pictures
"Liar Liar" is a hilarious and straightforward comedy that stands almost uniquely on Carrey’s savoir faire and in his innate charm, but also allows us a peek at all the diversity that is still to expect from him in the future. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly advise you to give it a try, because its viewing has already been certified by the Surgeon General as the best prophylactic for cardiovascular incidents, tooth decay and deadly seriousness... Honest!
| Production Companies | Imagine Entertainment Universal Pictures |
||
| Distributor | Universal Pictures | ||
| Director | Tom Shadyac | ||
| Writers | Paul Guay Stephen Mazur |
||
| Producer | Brian Grazer | ||
| Executive Producers | Michael Bostick James D. Brubaker |
||
| Composer | John Debney | ||
| Cinematographer | Russell Boyd | ||
| Editor | Don Zimmerman | ||
| Cast List |
Jim Carrey Maura Tierney Justin Cooper Cary Elwes Anne Haney Jennifer Tilly Amanda Donohoe Jason Bernard Swoosie Kurtz Mitch Ryan Christopher Mayer Eric Pierpoint Randall 'Tex' Cobb Cheri Oteri SW Fisher Ben Lemon Jarrad Paul Marianne Muellerleile Krista Allen Stephen James Carver Don Keefer Paul Roache Randy Oglesby Charlie Dell Jim Jansen Terry Rhoads Michael Leopard Charles Walker Ed Trotta Ernest Perry Jr. Skip O'Brien Tony Carreiro Amanda Carlin Matthew Michael Goodall Samantha Heyman Anthony Lee Eric Sharp Christine Avila Hope Allen Carrie Armstrong Craig Barnett Brandi Burkett Charles Emmett Steven M. Gagnon Moon Jones Rick Hill Mike Grief Matthew Arkin Kelly Aluise Richard Jones Dennis Napolitano Michael Adler Colleen Fitzpatrick Joe Barnaba David Fresco Benjamin Brown Sue Goodman Mark Chaet Michael Kostroff Catherine Evans Howard S. Miller Edward Amuwa Patrick McTavish Ashley Monique Clark Sara Paxton Derrick Friedman Ashley Rumph David Kikuta Jacob Stein Oliver Kindred Mercedes Kastner |
..... Fletcher Reede ..... Audrey Reede ..... Max Reede ..... Jerry ..... Greta ..... Samantha Cole ..... Miranda ..... Judge Marshall Stevens ..... Dana Appleton ..... Mr. Allan ..... Kenneth Falk ..... Richard Cole ..... Skull ..... Jane ..... Pete ..... Randy ..... Zit Boy ..... Ms. Berry ..... Busty Woman in Elevator ..... Police Officer ..... Beggar at Courthouse ..... Beggar at Office ..... Detective Bryson ..... Restroom Man ..... Pilot ..... Flight Navigator ..... Tow Yard Employee ..... Skycap ..... Mechanic ..... Bailiff ..... Court Guard ..... Cop ..... Publicist ..... Cole Child ..... Cole Child ..... Fred ..... Sharpo the Clown ..... Lupe ..... Playground Teacher ..... Stenographer ..... Deputy ..... Flight Attendant ..... Macho Attorney ..... Jail Guard ..... Jail Guard ..... Jail Guard ..... Driver ..... Colleague ..... Passenger on Plane ..... Passenger on Plane ..... Piano Player ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Conference Room Attorney ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School ..... Child at Party and School |
|
| Miranda: | Ummm that was incredible. Was it good for you? |
| Fletcher Reede: | I've had better. |
| Fletcher Reede: | It was me! |
| Fletcher Reede: | Greta, please! I'm on my knees in a $900 suit. |
| Fletcher Reede: | I've had better. |
| Fletcher Reede: | Jerry, enjoy my wife. |
| Fletcher Reede: | The pen is blue, the pen is blue, the goddamn pen is blue! |
| Fletcher Reede: | Why don't you go play in the office a minute. Sue someone for everything they've got. |
| Receptionist: | Do you like my new dress? |
| Fletcher Reede: | What ever takes the focus off your head! |
| Guy in the washroom: | What're you doing? |
| Fletcher Reede: | I'm kicking my ass! Do you mind?! |
Trust Me
Would I lie to you?
Coming soon. Honest.
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