LIAR, LIAR
US, 1997, 87 minutes, Colour.
Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Jennifer Tilly, Cary Elwes, Swoozie Kurtz, Amanda Donohoe.
Directed by Tom Shadyac.
Liar, Liar has a very funny trailer (including scenes not in the film) and all the jokes are in the film plus more. Jim Carrey is something of an acquired taste (since this film has grossed over $US 170,000,000 many have obviously acquired it). This comedy is less over the top than the Ace Ventura or Mask films.
In fact, Carrey has quite a number of serious scenes. But the premises of the film has the potential for jokes and farce: a workaholic lawyer's five year old wishes that his father would tell the truth for one day. Carrey mugs, often hilariously, as he tries to lie but can't. Some court scenes are particularly funny as he struggles with untruths. But the film has a great deal of sentiment with the little boy missing his father and the father coming to realise that he has been a bad father and needs to change his way of life. Since the film is designed for the widest audience possible, the family scenes are heart on sleeve rather than subtle. But it makes its point and, since audiences so identify with Carrey's characters, they have to face his family problems.
1.A box-office success throughout the world? The appeal of the story, the characters, the humour? Jim Carrey?
2.Jim Carrey's comic style, as a mimic, mugging, verbal humour, situations? The trickster archetype? Yet the sentiment at the end - bringing the film to completion or undermining the trickster and his malice?
3.The farcical style of the film, verbal and visual comedy, wit?
4.The title, expectations, illustration of the theme, the status of truth today? The satire on the world of law, business?
5.The introduction, Max and his class, talking about his father and the law - but his being a liar? The visits, Max's sadness, belief and trust in his father, love for him? His relationship with his mother and her care for him? Her mother's boyfriend and his attempts to be a second father? The going to Fletcher's office, and being neglected? His birthday and his hopes, his father not turning up, present? The party and his father's absence - his making a wish and its being heard?
6.The introduction to Fletcher, his performance in court, badgering witnesses, his successes? His self-absorption? His place in the firm, the reaction of the people in the company? Amanda Donohoe as the vamp type, her reactions to Fletcher's success? Coming on to him, the sexual encounter? His being transformed by his son's wish, his reaction to Amanda Donohoe and his telling the truth about their sexual encounter? His revenge by taking him to the boss and making him tell the truth - his bluntness and their all taking it as humour and as the equivalent of a roast? His relationship with his secretary and her backing him up, the revelation that he had been unjust to her? His caught in the work situation, wanting to be a partner, taking on the cases? Workaholic? The contrast with his wife, Jerry and his wanting to play ball in the same way that Fletcher did? His inability to be the loving parent that he wanted to be?
7.The portrait of Fletcher's wife, long-suffering, caring for her son, the visits? The bond between herself and Fletcher? Jerry as the yuppie type - and being mocked? His going to Boston and wanting the family to come with him? His trying to play with Max, trying to talk with him, trying to love him? The decision about going to Boston?
8.The situation at the office, Fletcher and the important case, the interview with the airhead wife and her calculating to get custody of her children and the money from her husband? The interview, his being in control? The contrast with his performance in court, the arguments, seeing her as a victim, attacking the husband, the sexual implications, the set-up by Amanda Donohoe? Going into court, partially succeeding, failing?
9.Max's wish, the time of the wish and its taking effect? Fletcher in bed with his associate, his comment that he had had better? The beginning of his having to tell the truth - the girl in the lift and her slapping him? The beggar and his saying that he had money? The comments on the fat man, the girl with the spiked hair? The truth to the police about speeding? His faithful secretary and his comment about her wages? Her decision to leave? The associate hearing what had happened about his having to tell the truth - and setting up the board meeting?
10.Fletcher and the lengths to which he went to prevent himself telling the truth, keeping his mouth shut, asking Max to reverse the wish? The test with the blue pen? The police and the tickets?
11.The court case and his handling of it, the judge's reaction, his truthful outbursts? Taking the time off to go to the toilet and trying to knock himself out? The witnesses, the questions, dreaming up reasons for having delays? The solution? The client and her greed, his change of heart, seeing the father and his really being the victim? His being held in contempt of court?
12.The experience of prison - and his coming out?
13.The discussions with his wife, talking with her, waiting? Max, school? The phone call? Jerry going with his wife to the airport? The wife and her discussions with Jerry, the drink, realising she was not in love?
14.Fletcher and his desperation to get to the airport, the stairs, the window - on the plane itself?
15.Max's birthday the following year, the family together, his wishes?
16.The theme of the American family, single parents, marriage break-up, the workaholic father, the effect on the children, their wishes? Opportunities for parents to meet their children and express their love for them? The importance of love and values?
17.The tradition of the Jim Carrey comedy? Audiences responding to him as the trickster? His wanting to be a serious actor - but audiences not accepting this? The ending with sentiment to balance the comedy - and it being repaid at the American box office?
