The Majestic

I finally got to see this film tonight, long after its release, and as a big Jim Carrey fan, I was tremendously impressed with - and gratified by - his performance. I love him as a comic, there's no question he's a genius in that department, but I'm always pleased to see him do something 'real' - something where he displays genuine emotion, honest feeling, and in The Majestic, he does this brilliantly. Sure, the film is too long, too 'corny' in spots, blah blah blah, but ultimately the sheer force of Carrey's talent (and his deep commitment to the material) makes it work. Kudos as well to the great Martin Landau, who turns in yet another rich performance, giving his scenes with Carrey true poignancy.

This DVD came in my last batch from Netflix, and I wondered why I had ever chosen it. Finally on a rainy Saturday, I put it on and was enchanted and moved. Jim Carey was great as were all the cast. The story seemed so very timely in light of recent national events. A land where dissenting voices are labeled unpatriotic and people of intellect and wide-ranging analysis are dismissed as elitist is positively frightening. "The Majestic" shows how we can get back to being our best selves and fulfill our promise as a nation that now seems so bleak to some of us. Caring about each other, our community, that is how we really come alive and make a difference. Building and striving for what is possible and making it safe to express and fulfill dreams gives me hope that we really can get back to where we belong if we'd only stop being so self-righteous, rude, and intolerant. I grew up in the party of Eisenhower but never felt that opposing ideas were unpatriotic. We need to be kinder to each other, recapture the courtesy of a lost era, be thoughtful and intellectually curious to be sure that we come up with the very best ideas and solutions we can in today's world. "The Majestic" is a wonderful reminder of what ordinary people can do when we come together and work to achieve something that uplifts a whole community. I heartily recommend it.

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!

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.

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.