Stand-up comics, especially now, almost always end up doing movies. A-listers and those on the lower end do it to make extra money or expand their reach, and some have higher ambitions to become regular actors. Few comedians are able to make a career of it though, and even fewer than the few become great at it. Jim Carrey was certainly one of those needles in the haystack. The comic dominated the 90s movie scene and even managed to make his way into a few dramatic roles to some critical praise. Comedy was always his forte though, Liar Liar being of his most notable.
Jim Carrey is Fletcher Reede, a fast talking litigator with one skill that is unmatched amongst his peers: he’s an insanely convincing liar. As a lawyer this works for him in the courtroom, but outside of work and as a father it’s damaged his relationship with his son and others who know him. In letting him down for what could be the final straw, his son Max makes a birthday wish that would keep Fletcher from lying for just one day. Surprise! It came true, restricting Fletcher to the truth on possibly one of the worst days it could have happened to him professionally.
In revisiting this movie that’s now almost thirty years old, one thing is very clear: very few actors could’ve pulled this type of movie off. Jim Carrey may have even been the only one back then for whom this role would’ve made sense. Carrey, as usual, is a walking cartoon. His physical comedy is what makes the concept of this movie not only entertaining, but hysterically entrancing. Being that his character can’t lie, much of the comedy comes from Carrey performing as though he’s physically fighting his body to get the words out. He’s in a constant war with his brain and his motor skills throughout the entire production. The foundation of the writing is standard, but it’s his work around it and ability to improvise his way through it that is most impressive. Jennifer Tilly as his client Samantha Cole is deserving of an honorable mention as she shows her true colors once Fletcher convinces her of the direction their case should go in. Jason Bernard also delivers a memorable performance as Judge Stevens. Bernard is the straight man in all of this, watching as Carrey’s character makes a fool of himself, thus being the one to bring everyone back to reality and to reign him in. His reactions to Carrey’s antics are a crucial part of the comedy.
Liar Liar movie was made in and accept that back then, people found this funny.
Physical comedy, vulgar humor, and sexist comments can all be expected but of course, this won’t be news to people who’ve seen it. Today’s younger audiences should watch this only if their tolerance to offensive material is high. Just try to remember the time period this movie was made in and accept that back then, people found this funny. It still is funny, but sure, it’s also offensive too. Comedy, often is.
