A Pretty Funny Movie

Rating: 7/10 (13 December 2009)

Not all comedies manage to get a laugh out of me. This one did - several times - so I have to rate it as a success. I'm not a huge fan of Jim Carrey, and what I don't like about him was evident in abundance here. It was actually summed up by castmate Swoosie Kurtz in the last of the closing out-takes when, while filming one of their courtroom scenes, she turns to him (in a scene where she makes an objection) and shouts "Over-Actor!" Yeah. That sums it up, and Carrey responds with the words "They're on to me!" Give him credit - at least he can poke fun at himself! Having said that, his over-acting is distracting and detracts from both the movie and the credibility of his character. Questioning the honesty and ethics of lawyers may be everyone's favourite sport, but Carrey's portrayal of lawyer Fletcher Reede was just too over the top to be believable.
And yet, this still works - it's a pretty funny movie. Fletcher builds his law career and his life on lying - to everyone (hence, the play on words: liar/lawyer) including his ex wife (which is probably why she's his "ex" wife) and his young son, whom he regularly hurts by promising to visit and then making excuses to get out of it. His lies make him a success in the courtroom though and he's on the verge of making partner at his firm when his son makes a wish while blowing out his birthday candles - that for one day, dad wouldn't be able to lie. The wish comes true and the result is chaos. I suppose there's three basic points being made: first, if we all told the truth about everything it would cause a lot of trouble (think of Fletcher speaking to the woman he's never met on the elevator and telling her how much he likes her rather significant "endowment") and a lot of hurt even to the people we truly care about; second, if we were to lie about everything it would also cause a lot of trouble ; and, finally, don't ignore your kids - they're precious and they need our attention.
It's a funny movie with a message. If you can deal with Carrey's over- acting, it's worth watching. 7/10