Dumb and Dumber

Released 1994
Reviewed April 05, 1998

Stars Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly
Directed by Peter Farrelly

I've never been a fan of Jim Carrey--until this movie. Finally, his talents were used wisely. Until now, he's played his roles as if he were still on the tv show, "In Living Color," with too much mugging and ridiculous body language. Here he holds himself in check and concentrates on the comedy. And what a comedy!

Carrey plays Lloyd Christmas, and, together with his buddy Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels), they create two of the dumbest characters ever. They're also two of the funniest. I've seen this film four times now, and I laughed all the way through each time. Don't be put off by the title like I was. Just because the movie's called "Dumb and Dumber" doesn't mean the humor is dumb. The dynamics between Lloyd and Harry are brilliantly written and acted. It can be difficult to pull off this kind of humor, but they do it in every scene.

As in all buddy comedy movies like this, the plot is irrelevant. It simply exists to give the characters something to do. Here, they choose to have Lloyd accidentally intervene in a drop of hostage money, which allows Lloyd and Harry to go on the road and to have hired killers on their tail. Meanwhile, Lloyd is in pursuit of a gorgeous young woman played by Lauren Holly. None of this really matters, because I'd watch these guys no matter what they're doing.

There are all kinds of humor here: juvenile, situational, slapstick, bathroom, etc. It starts low-brow, and works itself up and down the scale. My favorite humor, as always, is the dialogue. Both Lloyd and Harry are lacking in social skills, which leads them to make the occasional faux pax. For example, at one point Mary (Lauren Holly) is alone with Harry, and it's obvious that she needs someone to talk to. Her husband has been kidnapped, and she's feeling the effects. Of course, Harry knows nothing about this, so when she confides to him, "I've had a lot on my mind lately, but I don't want to burden you with my problems", Harry sighs with genuine relief, "Oh, thanks". Obviously, she needs someone to turn to, but he couldn't care less. He delivers his line with such relief, you can't help but laugh. Then he changes the subject to something stupid that he's interested in.

The best thing about this movie is that it's not a sitcom like "Troop Beverly Hills" or the hundred other comedies produced each year. These are good actors who understand comedy and they work it perfectly.

One interesting tidbit is that Carrey chipped his front tooth as a child. During one of the pitches, he suggested that he pull the cap off and play the character with the chipped tooth. Wonderful. That effect combines with the bowl haircut to make him look authentic. He doesn't just look like a guy with a goofy haircut. The tooth, hair, and weird glint in his eye make him look like the fringe person he's playing, and it helps predispose you to laugh. At least it did for me.

It's so rare for me to say this, but I certainly hope there's a sequel.

Reviewed by Bill Alward  Home

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