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Earlier I published my so-called rambling and nonfocused guidelines for what I consider screenworthy comedy. Isn't it about time for a follow-up? You bet it is! I rented it via DSS PPV and found myself wondering if this is as good as it gets from the people who brought you "Dumb & Dumber" and "Kingpin." You bet it is! Read on fellow CrankyLander!
SG2H'S REVIEW:
I was surprised with "There's Something About Mary." Not only do the brothers' Farrelly push the envelope of humor through tastelessness but it is also one of the best romantic comedies of 1998.
Of course I stuck to my pledge. The movie hit DirecTV PPV today and I caught its debut there. I ponied up the cash ($2.99) and set the recliner in feet-only position. Folks, pardon my digression from this early part of the review but a big projection TV, Dolby Digital 5.1 and one of those capitalist DSS dishes are tne best bet. Beats any theatre by far without the one problem with movie theatres aside from the lack of beer sales or the surplus of shitty movies: Shitty customers. The hacking, the wheezing...but I digress in my clinical movie viewing environment.
Back to the review.
There is definitely something about Cameron Diaz as "Mary." She not only is quite perky and appealing within this film as "the perfect woman" who just somehow attracts the wrong folks (as in creeps.) She exudes plenty of naive charm and personality. She is simply a joy within this movie as the innocent heart within this web of relationships-to-be. You may want to watch the film so that we won't need to write about what she likes, dislikes, etc. This ain't no Playboy centerfold bio. This is a damned movie review on Mr. Cranky, of all places! If you want details then watch the movie!
There is a lot about the rest of the cast as well. Ben Stiller proves he has what it takes for comic timing and makes us reminice for more of his work since his show was canceled. The same goes for Chris Elliot as Ben's friend always on the verge of the next break (facially and mentally) and, amazingly, Matt Dillon! We have caught murmurs of his comic possibilities within "In & Out" and "To Die For" and he plays the the role of a private investigator with an ulterior motive once he finds himself attracted to Mary. To hear him weave a web of lies to Stiller we have to chuckle at how his own comic verbal timing is as well as how he lays it on heavier and thicker in the process.
As the movie progresses the revelations start appearing until Mary has to choose. It progresses from boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy remembers girl, hires a private investigator to confirm her existence and so forth. So who gets the girl? That is the formulatic plot in a nutshell and we're always kept guessing. If you know the formula then you already know the ending.
A couple sidenotes: The Greek chorus of Jonathan Richman which begins, is featured sporadically, then closes this movie is a very interesting and refreshing touch which contemplates the plotline. Likewise watch the alternate scenes and outtakes during the credits with the song "Build Me Up Buttercup" as the lip-synched track for that after dinner mint after this big meal. Very delicious!
Pause...
...more pause...
...ready to continue...
...here we go.
But, who cares about the plot, the acting and the dialogue, right? You know why you watch a Farrelly brothers' movie: The perverse humour. You didn't show up to watch a MERE romantic comedy, right? You want to be shocked and laugh yourselves silly! Well this is the movie for you as well! The humor topics may offend a lot of the folks looking for the best romantic comedy of 1998.
The brothers' Farrelly started with the requisite excretory humor within their first two PG-13 features then broadened themselves out to what is featured within the R-rated "There's Something About Mary." That means plenty more taboos to poke fun into: Cripples, the mentally retarded, masturbation and ejaculation (Mr. Cranky, contact Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) for that critical single-spooge theory,) genital mutiliation, elderly sag, fellatio, animal abuse...just to name a few of the new territories.
These topics may offend a lot of the folks looking for the best romantic comedy of 1998. To the Farrelly's the romantic comedy plotline is merely that: A means to string up the numerous comic sequences. Likewise the sequences either come up with predictability or without any warning whatsoever. Don't expect a "Singles" from Miami here. You may want to watch this movie twice to pick up upon the subtle hints prior to when the humor hits.
And, unlike their two previous efforts, the humor sequences are deftly handled and each one is a stunningly lowbrow excercise in perverseness, timing and overall execution. I never did emote during "Dumb & Dumber" and I did emote once during "Kingpin" when Harrelson obtains his disability. Unlike "Mary" their former flicks suffers in that the writing and dialogue was bad and the pacing was even worse. Here I was never bored once and laughed many times over throughout the screening. The writing, acting, dialogue and the timing was nearly flawless and kept my attention to the point I didn't notice initially that the whole film is a full two-hours long. So the pacing is just right aside from a lag here and there which, unlike there two previous efforts, is much less noticable. I do wish it was shortened by about ten minutes but which ten to trim I do not know.
With everything about this film considered you have great acting, great humor and a well-written storyline. So is this a flick which you would want to take your date to or something to show to your frat buddies? Each would be offended by either the equal parts of romantic picture and vulgar comedy.
In either case, the brothers' Farrelly have finally created the best picture of their careers so far. It may not appeal to everyone in terms of content but its execution cannot be matched. It may not be "Love Story" but it is definitely not "Porkys." If you have an open mind and love to straddle that fence of drama, comedy and the gross-out then so be it.
Everyone else? It didn't dissapoint me from my comedic standpoint and yet I found its plot all the more worthwhile. Imagine that! The hybrid flick!
I recommend this movie wholeheartedly to anyone with a sense of humor...but leave the logistics of the "spew shot" to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA).
--SG2H
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