El 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".

There are a few distinct, primary issues with this film.

The first thing is its attempt to create a sort of modern day fairy tale with an atmosphere bound in high emotion, drama and something of an epic frame, the film being so long over 2hours30min, and quite eventful. The story and chief concept were very interesting, and there is a lot of philosophy and idea in them, but the film never quite takes advantage of the platform it makes for itself and the emotional intensity feels rather constructed than genuine. Towards the end especially, it's just pushed down our throats too much and doesn't feel natural, or credible, and the most essential quality of emotion in cinema is credibility.

Another thing about it is its over-the-top political/philosophical message, the whole bit about the legal system; that element seems overdone too, a bit of a sidetrack to the plot, and not necessarily inevitable.

There's a taste of unfinished business, mismanaged tension, misused potential for emotion, and good plot elements that do not resolve into the anticipated climax. But it's a fine story, a fairly pleasant film to watch with good values, a certain essential candor, it is quite well played out considering the difficult premise, and then there's Jim Carey always there as the lead to help make any film more believable and endearing.

6.5 or 7/10.

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.

I have been a big fan of Jim Carrey since his "In Living Color" days. I always felt he had a bright future ahead of him,as talented as the man is.I very much looked forward to the man's film career beginning, but sadly,at least for me anyway,his big screen efforts have left a lot to be desired.Most of Carrey's films have been ridden with oversexed dialog and toilet humor.Finally,a much more toned down Carrey gives me something to smile about.His efforts in The Majestic are simply amazing. The slapstick humor is put aside,very delicately,and what we have is a very appealing fictional story,with Carrey making an excellent romantic and dramatic lead.If you go into the watching of this film looking for the outrageous hairdo of Ace Ventura,the hideous green mask,or anything of the like from his previous films,this will be a big disappointment to you,but if you go into it with an open mind about what he can accomplish dramatically,you will be most pleased.Things are looking up for Jim Carrey.Also,Martin Landau is great as always in a supporting role.Thumbs up!