Director: Tom Shadyac
Writer: Paul Guay, Stephen Mazur (Screenplay)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, Cary Elwes, Anne Haney, Jennifer Tilly, Amanda Donohoe
Plot: A fast-track lawyer can’t lie for 24 hours due to his son’s birthday wish after he turns his son down for the last time.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Laugh a Minute Comedy
Story: Liar, Liar starts as we meet Fletcher Reede (Carrey) a high-flying lawyer who has gone through a smooth divorce with Audrey (Tierney) to keep life happy for their son Max (Cooper). With Audrey moving on with her life with new boyfriend Jerry (Elwes), Fletcher is focusing on his career where he has an ever-growing reputation of being able to lie his way through any case.
When Fletcher’s lying effects his relationship with his son and Fletcher misses Max’s birthday, Max makes the wish that his dad can’t lie for one whole day. We follow how Fletcher must get through the day without being able to tell a lie in what could be the biggest case of his career.
Thoughts on Liar, Liar
Story – The story here shows us many different problems when it comes to overworking parents, lawyers lying and being a good parent. We get to see how the fantasy element of this film comes through to show how the new vision to life Fletcher must go through, I will say the film has a similar message to Mrs Doubtfire about a father finally need to become responsible about the parenting. I think this is a very good story that allows Carrey to perform his comedy to the strongest levels he can.
Comedy/Fantasy – Jim Carrey single handily carries all the comedy within this film, with his joke a minute routine going on that will find a joke that works for anyone at some point in the film. The fantasy side of the story comes from the change that Fletcher must go through when the wish comes true.
Characters/Performances – Fletcher away from the comedy is your typical overworking lying father and lawyer who has put his career before his personal life. The rest of the characters are the always struggling wife which can make her look like the bad guy, the son that is always getting disappointed, the new love that wants to impress the son and the lawyer community. When you look at the performance Jim Carrey carries this film on every single level not giving enough time for the rest of the characters to truly develop in the end.
Settings – The settings are never designed to be the most important for the story but are important for the lawyer side of the office which shows that the true opinion of the characters can be seen through the eyes of the truth.
Final Thoughts – Carrey shines, the story shines the rest will soon become something people would forget.
Overall: This is a hugely enjoyable comedy that shows Carrey at the top of his game.
Rating
