by Robbie Jones
Jim Carrey is one of the best and most iconic comedic performers in film, and has showered us with many great comedies over the years. But it was in the year 1994 that his career shot up like a rocket. In February, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was released. It garnered mixed reviews, but nowadays is considered his most iconic character. Then, we had The Mask, a wacky film about a down on his luck banker who discovers a powerful mask that turns him into a magically powered trickster. Finally, at the end of the year, Jim starred in Dumb and Dumber, a buddy road movie featuring him and Jeff Daniels. At the time, it was an odd combination but it worked so well, and the duo are back 20 years later to do it all again in Dumb and Dumber To (A title that is only genius when it’s being read. It just sounds normal when you say it). It’s out today, so let’s take a look back at what is definitely one of Carrey’s best comedies to date.
Jim Carrey is one of the best and most iconic comedic performers in film, and has showered us with many great comedies over the years. But it was in the year 1994 that his career shot up like a rocket. In February, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was released. It garnered mixed reviews, but nowadays is considered his most iconic character. Then, we had The Mask, a wacky film about a down on his luck banker who discovers a powerful mask that turns him into a magically powered trickster. Finally, at the end of the year, Jim starred in Dumb and Dumber, a buddy road movie featuring him and Jeff Daniels. At the time, it was an odd combination but it worked so well, and the duo are back 20 years later to do it all again in Dumb and Dumber To (A title that is only genius when it’s being read. It just sounds normal when you say it). It’s out today, so let’s take a look back at what is definitely one of Carrey’s best comedies to date.
Harry (Daniels) and Lloyd (Carrey) are best friends with barely a brain cell between them. They have bad jobs, living in a terrible apartment, and unfortunately, they’re not smart enough to change any of that. That’s until a beautiful woman enters Lloyd’s limo: Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly), a wealthy socialite with whom Lloyd immediately falls in love with, heading to Aspen. He sees her leave her briefcase behind, and convinces Harry to go on a road trip to Aspen, unaware of the dangerous consequences taking that briefcase has, and the pair set off on a hilarious adventure.
As you can imagine from the title, and the fact that it’s from the Farelly Brothers, you can expect a lot of silly humour from this. That is in no way a bad thing. In fact it enhances the film. It’s so easy to just laugh along and not care about how idiotic the film is, and it’s so enjoyable. But saying all that, some jokes in the film are actual genius, including improved lines by the stars (The best one being Lloyd’s reaction the moon landing, conjured by Carrey himself). Carrey and Daniels do an amazing job of playing our nitwit heroes, and they have such amazing chemistry that you could honestly believe them to be best friends in real life.
As you can imagine from the title, and the fact that it’s from the Farelly Brothers, you can expect a lot of silly humour from this. That is in no way a bad thing. In fact it enhances the film. It’s so easy to just laugh along and not care about how idiotic the film is, and it’s so enjoyable. But saying all that, some jokes in the film are actual genius, including improved lines by the stars (The best one being Lloyd’s reaction the moon landing, conjured by Carrey himself). Carrey and Daniels do an amazing job of playing our nitwit heroes, and they have such amazing chemistry that you could honestly believe them to be best friends in real life.
Admittedly, it’s not the Farelly’s strongest comedy (There’s Something About Mary pips it to the post, and the argument can be made for Kingpin too.) But that doesn’t mean Dumb and Dumber is anything short of comedic genius. In fact, it’s possibly my favourite comedy of all time, which might be confusing to you considering how many better loved comedies there are out there, but I’ve seen this one more than other comedy and I’m always ready to watch it again.
It’s right up there with the finest of Carrey’s work, and a nice addition to Daniels’ already impressive filmography. But the real question is: What’s Dumb and Dumber To like? Well, reactions have been mixed. A lot of people like it, a lot of people don’t (Check out Jo’s less than positive review), and a lot of people aren’t sure. Fact is it was always a risky project and people were gonna be divided on it. So even if the sequel sucks hard, at least you can always come back to this comedy classic.
Dumb and Dumber To is in cinemas now
It’s right up there with the finest of Carrey’s work, and a nice addition to Daniels’ already impressive filmography. But the real question is: What’s Dumb and Dumber To like? Well, reactions have been mixed. A lot of people like it, a lot of people don’t (Check out Jo’s less than positive review), and a lot of people aren’t sure. Fact is it was always a risky project and people were gonna be divided on it. So even if the sequel sucks hard, at least you can always come back to this comedy classic.
Dumb and Dumber To is in cinemas now