- Liar Liar - Wikipedia
Made in 1997, Liar Liar is the second collaboration between actor Jim Carrey and director Tom Shadyac. The first was Ace Venture Pet Detective and the third was Bruce Almighty. For his role, Jim Carrey was nominated for a Golden Globe (1997) for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical.
24 Hours of Honesty
Fletcher Reede is a smooth talking lawyer with his eyes on partnership in the law firm he works for. He lives his life a lie at a time. His son Max (Justin Cooper) is constantly disappointed by a father who is always coming up with lies and excuses for not spending time with him when. The last straw comes when Fletcher misses his son’s birthday and so Max decides to make a wish as he blows out his candles - for just one day, he wishes his father would be unable to tell a lie.
Immediately, Fletcher (who missed the party because he is sleeping with his boss) realises that he cannot tell a lie. As the day progresses he realises that he cannot do anything dishonest, can't hold back a truthful answer or even ask a question if he knows the answer will be a lie.
The timing of his honest-streak could not be worse, considering that he is fighting a divorce case in which his client is clearly in the wrong and his entire case hangs on his ability to convince the jury that his client’s lies are the truth. His case is also complicated by the news that his ex-wife may be leaving town with her new boyfriend - and taking Max away.
Feel Good Comedy
Jim Carrey is used to playing the manic characters who seem to have rubber limbs. Ace Venture Pet Detective and The Mask are two classic examples. In Liar Liar he gives a straighter performance but truly shines in the moments when he is trying to keep his mouth closed in order to keep the truth from spilling out. Along the way he starts to realise what his absence is doing to his son, and if he is not careful he will risk losing him forever.
Joining Carrey is Jennifer Tilly as Samantha Cole - his adulterous client trying to get out of a prenuptial agreement that will leave her penniless despite evidence of a long list of affairs. Tilly does a fine job as Fletcher’s bewildered client who is wondering why her smooth talking lawyer who convinced her that she was entitled to half her husband’s estate has been gripped by a sudden attack of conscience.
Putting his career first has already cost Fletcher his wife Audrey (Maura Tierney), and it seems that he will soon lose his son as his ex-wife is planning on moving out and taking Max with her. The message of the film is obvious, with Carrey on top form once again, and the laughs come thick and fast.
Overall Liar Liar is a film that knows when to make the audience laugh and like all good comedies also knows when to tug on the heartstrings.
4/5
Hilarious comedy with Carrey doing what he does best
Christopher Sharman - In 2009 I self-published my first novel entitled The Darkness Saga: The Light (currently available at amazon.co.uk) which has been ...
