THE CABLE GUY


US, 1996, 92 minutes, Colour.
Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, George Segal, Jack Black, Diane Baker, Ben Stiller.
Directed by Ben Stiller.

There is a strange intensity that may dismay his fans in Jim Carrey's performance in The Cable Guy. I am not a Carrey fan, but I appreciate that he has both comic and serious talent.

Here he portrays the ultimate human result of modern technology and how it alienates people. The cable guy can connect people to the world of TV but he himself is desperate to connect to people so that he is one of those mad stalkers who are always there (to Matthew Broderick's increasing dismay) - and performing desperately manic turns to be liked. Interesting but it may be too serious for fans. More serious Carrey.

1. The popularity of Jim Carrey, in the 1990s? His style of comedy, clowning, darker aspects?

2. The American city, apartments, offices, homes? The musical score?

3. The title, the status of cable television at the time, subscribing, multi-channels, costs, repairs and connections? The familiarity for customers of The Cable Guy?

4. Matthew Broderick as Steven, his work, at the office, showing the plans, his dissatisfaction with his boss, commenting with his girlfriend, this being taped and replayed in the office, his losing his job?

5. Steven and his girlfriend, the break, yet the love, his moving out, the apartment, wanting to have the cable connection? His later meeting with his girlfriend, the outings, the sharing, watching Sleepless in Seattle, the instant repairs?

6. His waiting for the cable guy, having the shower, Chip and his arrival, his tantrum, saying that he was just kidding, his fixing the equipment?

7. Steven and his friendship with Jack Black, at the office, the advice about getting the channels free, the friendship in conversations, his getting him to search for background on Chip?

8. Chip, his personality, a vehicle for Jim Carrey comedy? Coming into the house, his comments, practical jokes? Steven and his reaction? Chip ingratiating himself, manipulating Steven, the promise to go out, his arriving early, the outing and the experience, Chip’s erratic behaviour, the effect on Steven? The discussions about Steven’s girlfriend, Chip and his comments, intruding? The effect on Steven, wanting to distance himself? Chip and his hurt reaction?

9. The dinner, the family, Chips and Stevens parents, the other members of the family, Chip and his behaviour, making everyone laugh? The word game, the crudities, everybody joining in except Steven, his father urging him to play, his mother and her daring, the girlfriend enjoying Chip and his manner and words? Steven angry, punching Chip?

10. Finding out more about Chip, not being employed by the cable company, his identity, his name, being fired?

11. Chip, going out with the girlfriend, abducting her, her initial response, in the rain, going to the tower, Steven arriving, climbing the tower, the confrontation with Chip? Chip and his resignation, hanging, Steven holding him, his letting go and falling?

12. The black ending, Steven and his girlfriend, Chip and his future?

13. The role of television, the static during the initial credits, people relying on television, on cable, the court case and the murderous twin (and Ben Stiller playing the role), the commentaries throughout the film, people watching, the blackout and the verdict?

14. The film going beyond audience expectations of Jim Carrey, a very black comedy?