When Jim Carrey Can't Lie!
I love comedies, and Liar, Liar is one of the most hilarious Jim Carrey movies I've ever seen! It's the sort of film where you'll just die laughing from start to finish. And for this brilliant piece, I must credit director Tom Shadyac and screenwriters Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur.
Carrey, to me, is the modern Jerry Lewis whose slapstick humor I enjoy rewatching. In this movie, he says lines and performs stunts that are so Lewis’ style that they keep me highly entertained.
I admire the comedian for such comic prowess. I know for a fact that it’s more difficult for an actor to play a funny role than a dramatic role, since it takes great effort to amuse an audience. (Failing to do so only means that the comedy had flopped!)
On the story
Carrey plays a successful lawyer, Fletcher Reede, whose constant lying ironically makes him one of California's best defense lawyers. But he comically goes berserk when his young son, Max (played by Justin Cooper), makes a heartfelt birthday wish that for one day - his dad wouldn't lie!
At the start of the film is a classroom scene where the teacher asks her young students to share something about their parents’ profession. When his turn comes, Max innocently says, “My dad? He's... a liar.” The teacher is horrified until the boy explains that his dad “wears a suit and goes to court and talks to the judge”.
Liar, Liar is packed with delightfully laughable scenes where Fletcher's truth-telling leads him to a series of embarrassing events. One of my favorites is the board meeting scene where Fletcher roasts everyone and even calls the firm's senior partner, Mr. Allen (played by Mitchell Ryan), “a belligerent old fart, a worthless steaming pile of cow dung”.
Simmons is old! He should've been out of the game years ago but he can't stay home because he hates his wife!... And you, Tom, you're the biggest brownnose I've ever seen! You've got your head so far up Mr. Allen's ass, I can't tell where you end and he begins!...You have bad breath caused by gingivitis... Your hairpiece looks like something that was killed crossing the highway. I don't know whether to comb it or scrape it off with a shovel and bury it alive.
— Fletcher Reede at the board meetingHilarious board meeting scene
Then, there's that pen scene where he struggles to convince himself that the blue pen he is holding is color “ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh-reeeeeeeeeeehhh..” (he just can't say "red"!)
"It's blue. It's blue! The god damn pen is blue!"
Still another scene that tickles me is the courtroom hearing where, after proving the minor age of his client, Samantha Cole (played by Jennifer Tilly), Fletcher openly declares, “And the truth shall set you free!”
"And the truth shall set you free!"
About the other characters
Liar, Liar is not simply a comedy, but a heartwarming film that brings out the best in family life and human relationships.
If there's one character in the movie I like, it's Fletcher's old secretary, Greta (played by Anne Haney) who, after leaving her boss for unintentionally telling her some truths, bails him out after he is momentarily jailed for contempt of court. Having been a secretary with a kind male boss, I like how this old lady attends to Fletcher’s needs, even buying the birthday gift for Max.
I must say I am hurt by the scene where Samantha Cole – despite winning her case - pulls her kids away from their father. I find this so nasty of her – and I can’t help detesting her. It’s bad enough that she cheated on her husband.
As for Audrey (played by Maura Tierney), Fletcher’s estranged wife, I commend her for being extremely patient of her ex-husband’s shortcomings, which not too many women can do these days.
As in most comedies, the movie has a happy ending where Fletcher and Audrey literally kiss and make up on Max's succeeding birthday. It ends more amusingly with Fletcher doing his trademark hand "claw" and affectionately chasing Audrey and Max with it.
Like the other popular Carrey comedies such as Bruce Almighty, The Truman Show and Mr. Popper's Penguins, Liar, Liar is one movie that's worth rewatching with family and friends.
Have you ever watched this Jim Carrey movie?
Comments - What do you think of the wacky Jim Carrey?
AUTHORGlad you enjoyed the film! Thanks for stopping by!
"Liar, Liar" is one of my all-time favorites ever. I have no idea how many times I've seen it and laugh the same each time as if it was my first. I agree with your sentiments about this classic movie, Charito1962. I found myself laughing as I read your paragraph on his inability to utter the word "red." So hilarious. Voted up and funny.
He is great!
Love all of his movies! If you want a good laugh, he always delivers!
Jim Carey is far underrated as an actor.
Nice lens.
This is a very funny movie!
We need more Jim Carey movies! =)
This is a great movie!
I love Carrey - one of the funniest guys around. And, "The truth shall set you free" is what many of us dream we would want to say to that particular boss we may have had. GREAT LENS.
I remember watching this movie, and it was hilarious! As someone else mentioned in these comments, Jim Carrey is such a talented actor.
Love this movie too!
We do like this movie. We also like the Jim Carrey movies where he does more serious roles too. He is a talented actor.
yes he's good
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@AnuradhaM: He is!
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@RobertConnorIII: He really is!
We like any movie with Carrey, he is so funny!
JIm Carrey is unbeatable at comedy.
I loved this movie as a kid. Haven't seen it in a long time so the clips were great!
I loved this movie! Very funny:)
I love Jim Carrey, but mostly when he's being serious. In the one about the cinema he didn't do anything silly at all and looked just gorgeous.
he is funny!
Sounds good, will have to give it a go
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@Sylvestermouse: Indeed, it was!
Jim Carrey is simply awesome and this was / is a truly hilarious movie!
I really like the Liar, Liar film. Favorite scenes are the ones where he reacts to the lady, I guess is his supervisor. Especially the first time he runs into her he freaks and runs to the exit. Hilarious.... Thanks for sharing the memories.
Oh Jim Carrey is in a class of his own! This is a great review, thanks Charito!
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@MarleMac: You're welcome! Thanks, too, for stopping by.
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@JoleneBelmain: Nice to hear from you!
Me being Canadian, feel a sense of pride that Jim Carrey is also. This movie I have watched over and over again, and yes, I laugh just as hard every time. Jim is in a class all his own when it comes to his comedy style... great Actor and movie to feature in an article.
I think I like this movie more than my kids because I appreciate the white lies of life that can so easily turn back on us. :)
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@Seacrest122: Indeed!
I loved the scene where he says, ""He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard.." SO funny!
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@anonymous: Glad you liked it.
I enjoy Jim Carey's later movies. Liar Liar was one his titles that didn't feel like he was trying to hard. It was a good one :)
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@Carol Houle: Yes, he really should.
Jim is one of my favorites, too. He should make more movies.
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@sha-ron: You're welcome!
He is a real character with so many different facial effects. Thanks for sharing and visiting my lens
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@JessicaLVine LM: Watching it will make you die laughing!
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@mel-kav: I also like "The Truman Show".
"Liar, Liar" was a good movie. I think my favorite of his movies are "The Truman Show" and "Fun With Dick and Jane".
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@Elsie Hagley: Thank you. He really is a funny guy.
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@SusanneB: Thank you. Glad you like him.
I love him in the "Pet Detective" I love that funny walk and I like this lens
Great review. I don't know the show myself but if you can have a good laugh that's good. Laughter makes the world go round, it keeps everyone happy, there would be no depression. Thanks.
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@VioletteRose LM: Yes, it's one hilarious film!
I didn't know much about this, sounds nice!
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@shadowfast7: Glad you do. Nice meeting you.
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@Babu Mohan: Yes, Carrey does a great job in bringing laughter into the world.
Jim carrey is very good and loved all over the world. Laughter is the best medicine as the saying in Reader's digest goes.
i love this movie!!
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@takkhisa: Glad you enjoy his acting.
He is a great comedian and I guess this is one of the best comedy movies I have ever seen before :)
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@ningbabyblog: Thanks! Nice hearing from you.
Jim Carrey is my favorite comedian and I loved this movie. I watched it years ago maybe it's a good time to rewatch in in the new year. Great lens , charito1962!
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@jc stone: Glad you like it!
This is his best movie! I love it!
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@seleen fouad: Yes, I did. But "Liar, Liar" and "Bruce Almighty" are my favorites.
that my favorite actor he is very funny. have you seen ace ventura "pet detective "film
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@lisln: He really is a funny guy!
He is quit a character sure knows how to make a person laugh funny movie.
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@tonyleather: He really is! Glad you liked the movie. Regards
Absolutely brilliant and incredibly funny movie! Jim Carre is SUCH a great comedian in the movies!
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@acmmelchor: Yes, it really is one of my favorite comedies!
Love this movie! So funny!
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@joseph-anthony-montecillo: Thanks for reading my page!
Read ths!
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