The Majestic

I admit I only saw this film recently, many years after its release. Unlike some early reviewers, I wasn't surprised that Jim Carrey could do a dramatic role, as I'd seen a very early film of his, "Doin' Time on Maple Drive," as well as "The Truman Show" and "Man in the Moon." This film is directed by Frank Darabont, who has directed two wonderful films I've seen - The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. Here he channels Frank Capra for a feel-good film that takes place in the 1950s. A blacklisted writer, Peter Appleton, gets drunk, has an accident, and washes up on the beach of a town called Lawson. And he can't remember a thing about who he is. In Lawson, he is mistaken for a World War II soldier believed dead, Luke Trimble, to whom he bears a resemblance. Luke's grief-stricken father Harry (Martin Landau), having not seen his son for some years, accepts Peter as Luke, and Peter believes that's his identity.

The town is excited that Luke is back, and Harry decides to bring back his movie theater, the Majestic, to its former glory with Luke's help. Luke becomes involved with the town and its people; and Luke's old girlfriend Adele (Laurie Holden) is back on the scene. Little does Peter know, but the FBI is looking for him. One of his old films jogs his memory, and Peter realizes that he's not Luke after all. And he's wanted in Los Angeles to testify about whether or not he's a Communist.

This is a beautifully done film, released three months after 9/1/2001 and very relevant when seen today. It's about standing up for what you believe in, the power of love, and what's really important in life. Jim Carrey is marvelous as an ambitious young man who finds his heart in Lawson; Martin Landau gives a magnificent performance as Harry, a man who finds a new lease on life.

The Majestic stands as a symbol of a time when we walked into glamorous theaters to attend movies; when we sat wide-eyed in the dark; when films were more of a family affair; when life was more high touch than high tech; and when a person's principles and integrity were more important than anything else. It's good to be reminded of all of that once in a while.

Anyone who saw Frank Capra's movies and particularly "Mr Smith goes to Washington" when James Stewart single -handedly fights the powers that be in the courtroom will see the connection."The majestic" is old cinema ,it's a fable that should not be taken seriously.It pays a tribute not only to Frank Capra but also to Tornatore's "Cinema paradisio" (1988) and to Homer in Wyler's "best years of our lives"(1945),and also to great movies of the past such as Vidor's "the big parade"(1925) (When Carey watches Renée Adorée saying farewell to her true love,it makes a parallel between her affair and Adèle and the true "Trumble") or Wise's "the day the earth stood still" .It even shows -perhaps ironically in that context- a poster of Kazan's "a streetcar named desire"!

Anyone who wants to take it literally will totally miss the point;it did not prevent "it's a wonderful life" and "Mr Smith goes to Washington to go straight to the heart;so does "the majestic " :it has a good screenplay which is never boring during 140 min and which features very good ideas:The hero remembering the lines of Dieterle 's "life of Emile Zola" whereas he suffers from amnesia ,the piano boogie which shocks the old music teacher,the way Landau reveals the young man the "truth" in the little graveyard,and how -always the magic of cinema" he recovers his memory...The first part is Martin Landau's triumph:he will move you to tears ;Tornatore's influence again,he really seems to come from "cinema paradisio" .But Jim Carrey in a sober part can succeed in his James Stewartesque act as well. Some will tell you it's passé,corny ,old hat :they are completely right.This movie can only appeal to these who have often a look at the past of the seventh art:I'm one of them and I do like "the majestic".

I often wondered how Carrey would handle a drama and now I know. Totally enjoyed this trip through nostalgiatown as Carrey rejuvenated a town with his infectious personality. Heavily dramatic at times but always with an undercurrent of jollity running through it. I especially appreciated Carrey's dead on comments in the military graveyard.

This installment from the Frank Darabont, director of Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and soon to come Fahrenheit 451, came back in 2001. This film highlights th actor Jim Carrey in a more serious role aside from his brilliance ion the realm of comedy. This film has a great message about standing up for what we believe in against any kind of oppression or tyranny even if it comes from our own government. This is told using a flavorful twist of identities, which of course is based primarily upon the old French Medieval legend- Return of Martin Guerre, and the growing concern of communism in the late 40's and early 50's. There are also some other historical aspects that need to be addressed. This movie came at the eve of 9-11, which led to a massive hysteria over, not Commies, but of Muslims. Interesting how the writer/director Darabont takes this lost character who takes another's identity and transforms him a hero by simply adding that Carrey had amnesia. He now has a great message to give to the courts and to the "whole of mankind." At the time this movie came out, it seemed like the movie had little purpose and meaning. Watching it today, it has gained a new meaning and warning on our civilization(wasn't Darabont lucky). Unfortunately, I don't buy the argument and disagree. There are too many little details either missing or unlikely that hurt the story. Still, the originality, color, relationships, character development, angles, and plot development all draw to make this film highly enjoyable. This film receives 88.5 out of 100 points.

It's hard for me to give something a 10 out of 10 but this movie comes very close. Why it took me so long to see this movie is beyond me, but I am glad I finally got to watch a true great piece of cinema. Jim Carrey easily fills a dramatic role, much to most people's surprise. I can think of every movie I've seen him star in and, although most comedies, there were always glimmers of drama that he delivered that would draw in an audience. Think his speech about being "a nobody" in Dumb and Dumber, think of him telling his on screen son that he wasn't lying in Liar Liar. Think of The Truman Show, and tell me he doesn't have talent beyond comedy. Great supporting cast, of course with Martin Landau leading the front.

Now something more personal, for this vet of the new war. I loved this piece because it sent a different message, if only I saw it. It showed that not only the people who actually fight in a war, are the heroes. It helped show that everyone involved in any war should be considered a hero. I personally was touched by the mentioning of the Bill of Rights and reminding people, even today, what soldiers like me and many others still fight for.