When Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels first paired up to portray the world's best, (or worst) idiotic duo, there were definitely sceptics. There was a whole horde of the intellectual brigade branding the film as junk and stupidity; As though it were Dumb and Dumber was not to be bothered with and should be thrown into the trash where it belongs. Their argument was only half right. Despite the films blatant inanity, it was a riot to watch. Its comic value justified the idiocy and the result was a brilliantly original film.
The film catches up with Lloyd, (Carrey) and Harry, (Daniels) twenty years after the original story. Older but not in any way wiser, Harry is now in need of a Liver transplant. Approaching his relatives, he stumbles across an old letter that leads him to believe he now has a grown up daughter from a previous one night stand. The pair travel across the country to seek out this long lost daughter and hopefully, a new kidney for Harry.
From the get go the story is silly. It lacks any realism or structure and this would not so much be a problem if the film were funny but it’s really not. The film tries to play out similar gags to the original and whether the humour is dated or the audience are now more adept to them, it simply does not work.
A film such as Me, Myself and Irene is a better example of the Farrelly's brother’s work. It’s definitely not a film to everyone's taste; gross out and occasionally cringe worthy but to an open audience a hilarious film. Equally silly but justified through its humour. Whereas here the film feels forced and a waste of the on screen talents.
It feels almost impossible that Jim Carrey could be in a film that is not funny. One of the most talented comedic performers alive, here he is failed by a bad script and bad humour. Twenty years ago this seemed a strange film for Jeff Daniels to do. Whilst it paid off then, here it was a bad move. Neither are bad in their roles and the pair display great duo chemistry, yet this does not make up for the poor script.
A silly and unfunny waste of its talented cast. Yet another example of a film that should have been left alone.
Dumb and Dumber To is out this Friday