The
Cable Guy (1996)
Mildly funny and slightly twisted, this Jim Carrey
film is directed by Ben Stiller ("Reality Bites"). Stiller,
who barely muddled his way through teen angst in his
earlier film, likewise has trouble committing to his
premise here. This film is only 1/3 as amusing and 1/3
as psychotic as it should be. Fans who expect Carrey
to mug with idiot's delight throughout will be disappointed
because, in the long run, the film isn't all that humorous.
Conversely, those like myself, who thought that the
rubber-faced Carrey might reach new heights of weirdness
within the frames here will be disappointed because,
he does not.
Carrey has the likable and charming Matthew Broderick
to play off of here and the two do have good chemistry
but the script here, provided by Lou Holtz Jr. and producer
Judd aptow, is nothing more than a rambling Robin Williams
monologue set down on film. Eventually, the film even
goes to a Medieval themed restaurant and a Karaoke party
to try and grab some guffaws, but the film is so scatter-brained
and so off-kilter that it doesn't even know how to stick
within it own theme.
The film wants to be a essay on the evils of television
but, as mentioned before, the film can't even stick
to this cornucopius subject within it's frames. Also,
Stiller tries to make TV the bad guy here. Carrey is
supposedly left in front of the boob-tube as a child
and herein lies the root of his now psychopathy. It's
a juvenile premise. Carrey is only a star due to TV
- How dare he belittle it! Worse yet, the film belittles
it's audience by making our obsession with visual entertainment
seem wrong. If this is the case, why should we watch
this film? Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Mr. Carrey
and Mr. Stiller.
Stiller's silliest and most sophomoric jab at our
collective video mentality is to reenact the O.J. murder
trial (and the Menedez brothers murder trial) by spoofing
it using himself as an actor; He play twins who were
child TV stars. One is now on trial for murdering the
other. This subplot pops up on the screen throughout
the film. At the climactic moment when the verdict is
to be announced, the cable goes out and the nation (i.e.
the viewing public) is left in the lurch. Finally, left
with no visual stimuli to entertain them, one extra
in the film turns on his living room lamp and picks
up a book. ARRRGGGHHHH. What mindless, sophomoric tripe.
"The Cable Guy" will only infuriate the thoughtful
viewer more and more with each viewing. No one can really
enjoy this piece. Stiller and Carrey should be run out
of Hollywood on a rail.
Note:
Also with George Segal, Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo,
David Bowe, Bob Odenkirk, Jack Black, Leslie Man, and
Conrad Janus. Cameos by Tabitha Soren, Eric Roberts
and Ren and Stimpy.
Music by John Ottman. Director of Photography is Robert
Brinkmen.
A few of the films and TV shows mentioned or alluded
to include: My Three Sons Goldeneye Password Play Misty
for Me Sleepless in Seattle Midnight Express
Review written in 1996
|
Report
Card
Script:
F
Acting: D+
Cinematography\Lighting: C
Special Effects\Make Up: C
Music:
B-
Final
Grade: D-
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