This is a pleasant film that is more important for what it isn't than what it is. There have been many comparisons between this film and the work of legendary director Frank Capra. That is easy to do because it is a very human story set in the 1940's and it ends with a senate hearing that is reminiscent of `Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'. However, Capra was always very black and white when it came to good and evil, with his heroes almost saintly and his villains dastardly and despicable. This film has more gray overtones and flawed characters. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does take it out of the realm of being truly Capraesque.
Even more importantly, this film isn't another lowbrow gross out flick by Jim Carrey. Carrey gives a likeable performance reminiscent of `The Truman Show', with not a hint of the repugnant and boorish behavior that made him famous. I can only pray that despite the poor box office of this film, Carrey will attempt to build on this and move in the direction that Robin Williams went, toward more substantial screenplays and real acting. His next project, `The Children of the Dust Bowl' is a true story of a professor who set up a school for kids in the Oklahoma dust bowl in the 1930's, so he seems to have changed his script selection criteria. That would be a blessing as he is far too talented to be wasting his life on body fluid humor.
The film itself is schmaltzy and nostalgic, and it gets a little strident at the end as it tries too hard to repudiate the blacklisting and red paranoia of the 1940's and 1950's. It is an easy story to enjoy, although it is hard for the viewer to believe that anyone in this town could possibly have thought Peter Appleton (Carrey) was really Luke Trimble. It is as if everyone really knew the truth, but they wanted to deceive themselves.
Director Frank Darabont (`The Green Mile', `The Shawshank Redemption') does a nice job on the period renderings (except not enough men in hats; hats were the rule for men during that period) with costumes and props that bring the times to life.
The acting is very good. I like Jim Carrey much better as a dramatic actor or a bittersweet comic than as a fatuous chuff. Carrey is extremely affable as Peter, and plays the romantic parts with Laurie Holden well. However, he is tentative in the Washington scenes, unable to summon up the resolute defiance necessary for the situation. Martin Landau is terrific as Luke's father, bringing the character an almost delusional enthusiasm that is simultaneously charming and pathetic. Laurie Holden also does a nice job of portraying Adele, taking a grounded character and slowly melting her emotionally as she falls in love with Luke/Peter.
This is not a great film, but other than the political drum beating it is an agreeable (though improbable) feel good flick. I rated it a 7/10. Let's hope this portends a trend in Jim Carrey's career away from the disgusting schlock for which he has made millions.
Even more importantly, this film isn't another lowbrow gross out flick by Jim Carrey. Carrey gives a likeable performance reminiscent of `The Truman Show', with not a hint of the repugnant and boorish behavior that made him famous. I can only pray that despite the poor box office of this film, Carrey will attempt to build on this and move in the direction that Robin Williams went, toward more substantial screenplays and real acting. His next project, `The Children of the Dust Bowl' is a true story of a professor who set up a school for kids in the Oklahoma dust bowl in the 1930's, so he seems to have changed his script selection criteria. That would be a blessing as he is far too talented to be wasting his life on body fluid humor.
The film itself is schmaltzy and nostalgic, and it gets a little strident at the end as it tries too hard to repudiate the blacklisting and red paranoia of the 1940's and 1950's. It is an easy story to enjoy, although it is hard for the viewer to believe that anyone in this town could possibly have thought Peter Appleton (Carrey) was really Luke Trimble. It is as if everyone really knew the truth, but they wanted to deceive themselves.
Director Frank Darabont (`The Green Mile', `The Shawshank Redemption') does a nice job on the period renderings (except not enough men in hats; hats were the rule for men during that period) with costumes and props that bring the times to life.
The acting is very good. I like Jim Carrey much better as a dramatic actor or a bittersweet comic than as a fatuous chuff. Carrey is extremely affable as Peter, and plays the romantic parts with Laurie Holden well. However, he is tentative in the Washington scenes, unable to summon up the resolute defiance necessary for the situation. Martin Landau is terrific as Luke's father, bringing the character an almost delusional enthusiasm that is simultaneously charming and pathetic. Laurie Holden also does a nice job of portraying Adele, taking a grounded character and slowly melting her emotionally as she falls in love with Luke/Peter.
This is not a great film, but other than the political drum beating it is an agreeable (though improbable) feel good flick. I rated it a 7/10. Let's hope this portends a trend in Jim Carrey's career away from the disgusting schlock for which he has made millions.