LIAR LIAR (1997)

CAST: Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Cary Elwes, Amanda Donahoe, Cheri Oteri, Jennifer Tilly, Swoosie Kurtz, Anne Haney, Randall “Tex” Cobb, Krista Allen, Jarrad Paul, Jason Bernard

Directed By: Tom Shadyac
Written By: Paul Guay & Stephen Mazur
Cinematography By Russell Boyd
Editor: Don Zimmerman


This is one of my favorite Jim Carrey Movies. In Fact this is the one that truly shows the extent of his comedic abilities. I was so amazed ad liked the movie so much I paid to see it theaters about .4 times (Movies were more affordable back then especially with second run theaters where you could see films on screen for $2. oh the memories.)

This film is almost a one man show. There are other characters and actors but they make no impact as all eyes are glued to him, as Carrey dominates everything and everyone after all he is the star of the film. The others are just there to set up situations for him to find himself in and get himself out of.

The plot is that he is divorced from his wife and a attorney who is a great dad but always has to break promises to his son. So his son wishes that for his birthday his dad can’t tell a lie. Of course on that day he is heading a big money divorce case and this obviously throws a wrench into his plan, With hilarious outcomes.

I can’ think of too many comedic actors that could have played this role at least not in the same way as Jim carrey mixes wit with physicality in his performance. The performance comes off like a human cartoon character proving he didn’t necessarily need all the special effects in THE MASK as that’s just how he is as a performer. The performance is so entertaining and enjoyable that anyone of any age can laugh at it.

This is a bonafide comedy classic. It’s a movie you can watch and get lost in. You can never see it enough times. if you haven’t seen it go out and buy it right now. The film is that good it should be in you film library already.

The Film was almost directed by Penny Marshall. The film does have that heartwarming ambiance to it that most of her films have. She also directed BIG which helped endear audiences to Tom Hanks charms. Imagine what she would have done with Jim Carrey and this film. Not that he needed help with director Tom Shadyac. But maybe the film would have been all around perfect. It’s shocking that Stee Martin turned down the lead role, That lead Jim Carrey To more stardom.

The only Problem is that when I saw the trailer there were scenes not in the movie that were cut for whatever reason, but you can tell it was a entire subplot. That I would have really liked to have seen.

BUY IT

GRADE: A