Ironic, amusing, and kind of touching. Among Carrey's best

Rating: 7/10 (31 October 2009)

There are two facts which Liar Liar stresses clearly. One is optimistic and the other is rather pessimistic. In truth, most of us probably tell far more lies than we tell truths to people because it keeps us from getting slapped in the face among other things. It also points out that the most that in a capitalist society, where the family unit is never as communally linked as in other parts of the world, the most important thing to a boy (once he passes the age of Oedipus complex) is being with his father. With this in mind, Liar Liar is one of Jim Carrey's more emotionally intelligent comedies.
Carrey is Flecher Reede, a sly/sharp criminal lawyer. His success comes from the fact that he is full of lies. He is away from home a lot. On the day of his son's birthday, he makes a couple of promises that he doesn't keep because he gets a good offer that evening. He misses the party. For the kid's birthday wish, he wishes that his father could only tell the truth for a day. It is going to be a very hectic day for Flecher, hopefully he can pull of the latest case he has been assigned to but can he also convince his ex wife not to leave with his son for Boston? She has a new boyfriend who has proposed to her.
In the tradition of Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton, Jim Carrey is the best slapstick comedian today (or he was a few years ago). He is never dull here. Although I cannot recall a time when Carrey has made me scream with laughter, this I think is one of his best performances. Unlike with the Mask, this is Carrey doing the work, not the special effect department. I doubt if I need to describe what he is capable of, Most of us know, but for those who don't this might be the best film to introduce Jim Carrey to you. Either this or Ace Ventura...and that's no lie.