Der Schein trügt

Who knew or remembered that Jim Carrey could be dramatic? He offers a genuine deep performance as a troubled youth, bright, but a high school drop-out who is unbearably harassed by his holier than thou parents, especially a father who is a perfectionist in every sense of the word.

Ironically, the Carrey character soon takes a back seat to a brother, a closet homosexual, who breaks off with his fiancé, and a married sister, ready to abort her pregnancy because the father always believes in being financially prepared before starting a family.

James Sikking and Bibi Besch are first rate as the parents out of the 1940s and 1950s who are living the 1990s as if that period never existed.

This is a very well done film worth watching.

Some major plot line details are mentioned... don't read any further if you haven't seen this and don't want to spoil the fun.

Okay, I am one of the biggest Jim Carrey fanatics out there. The only reason I bought this movie (on eBay) was to see Jim Carrey in his "first dramatic role". It cost me $26!!! So, obviously, I went in only to see Jim. But then the title character came on, Matt, and I was like, hey, I know him... I like him. And then Laurie Laughlin (Becky from Full House, don't know how to spell her real name) came on, same reaction. And I also recognized the sister and the father. So I was like, hey, maybe it'll even be a good movie anyway.

Well, let me tell you, Jim Carrey was secondary as of twenty minutes into the film. While I wished that Tim would have been a bigger part of the story, I was completely taken into the story of Matt and being gay. I think they tackled the pressures of being gay, and hiding secrets to a "too perfect to be true" family. I think there should have been three storylines...the back stories of the sister and of Tim's were way too big to be back stories... but the movie was already 94 minutes long and I don't think any scenes preexisting should have been taken out... I guess I just think it shoulda been three different movies... I don't know. Every single actor in this movie does a beautiful job. The storys are sympathy envoking and the characters are likable, exept for the mom and for the father until about ten til the end. And speaking of the end... it was too wrapped up for my taste. A little hasty about face for the Father to go through... but anyway, it was a TV movie right?

I definately think this is right up there with Truman Show as far as Jim's acting goes... anyone who says my man can't act can't see. Thanksyou very much!!! ;)

8/10

Firstly I should say that this film shows how well Jim Carrey can act when he's not in "manic" mode. He has only recently come close in "The Truman Show".

I went literally around the world before I found this film on video, having searched for five years. I am so glad that I succeeded.

For once in a movie I actually felt sorry for the people that I was meant to feel sorry for, quite a directorial achievement. Carrey's "best man" speech led everyone down the wrong track, expecting a self pitying outcome, only to be twisted into a noble speech right at the end.

This is one film that is well worth the effort of tracking it down.

It's a story about a dysfunctional family centering on the up-coming marriage of one the sons, and how years of trying to keep everything up for appearances finally unravels and nearly destroys everyone with it. Oddly, the most functional member of the family is an alcoholic (played by Jim Carey), the only one with the ability to state what's true and to speak his mind.

The story and plot are well developed, as are the characters. The only thing I would've like to have seen more of was the sister and her husband. The movie hints at some serious issues (beside the one immediate one at hand) between them--which seemed oddly down-played.

Anyway, see this when it comes on cable!!

Finally, this great TV movie is being released on DVD. Won't be out (pardon the pun) until September 7, 2004, same date as HBO's "Angels in America."

I really liked this when it first aired. It hit home for me, as a gay man who contemplated suicide in my youth. Often a part of the process of accepting yourself, despite the hatred and violence inflicted on GLBT persons. A test, I suppose. Failing at that attempt is the only way to pass. Truth must prevail, even if others--including those people you hold dear--do not wish to hear it. As though listening yourself is ever that easy.

Jim Carrey was amazing in this, and should have gotten him more serious roles. "Man in the Moon" was the closest to serious that he's done since this film. I hope he does more, since comedy can only take you so far. Oscars are won for dramas, typically.

Dave