Liar Liar (1997)

Liar Liar was a good movie, and definitely something I'm glad I had the time to watch. Sure the storyline was crap, and Carrey's acting is either something you love or hate, but in the end I still decided to give Liar Liar a "Good" on theVade Review Bar or a 7 out of 10. Yeah, it was stupid, but it was funny. And if a movie can get me to laugh hard enough for me to not care about story, then I guess it deserves that rating in the end.Read more at theVade.

Fletcher Reede is a fast talking attorney and habitual liar. When his son Max blows out the candles on his fifth birthday cake, he has only one wish, 'that his dad would stop lying for 24 hours'. When Max's wish miraculously comes true, Fletcher discovers that his usual smooth talking, has suddenly become his biggest liability. Legal and emotional havoc takes its toll as soon as the candles are blown out as Fletcher tries to keep his practice afloat and his ex-wife Audrey from taking their son and moving to Boston......Between the release of Ace Ventura and The Truman Show, it seemed that nothing could stop Jim Carrey at the box office........maybe Ben Stiller directing him, but The Cable Guy was a highly original piece of work. Maybe a little left-field for the masses,but it's still one of his best popcorn movies.But what made Carrey so huge was simply his mugging and his animated performance in each film. He basically played the same character with different names and haircuts in each film.You will find a lot of Ace, The Riddler, and Stanley Ipkiss in this performance. In fact Bruce Almighty could have been called Fletcher Almighty and have been a direct sequel to this, and no one would have fluttered an eyelid.The film is perfunctory, and has an almighty sweet streak running right down its sugar coated sign, but we all know why we saw this film, for his hilarious lying, his facial contortions, and the part where everyone becomes so happy, that life could never be more perfect.But nearly twenty years later, it's easy to see why Carrey's star has faded. He was a one trick pony at comedy, played the same character every time, and yes, The Truman Show was good, but it isn't as amazing as what critics made it out to be.It just stood out because he did something from the norm.So all in all it's still funny, but the parts where Carrey isn't mugging or lying, it's pretty bland stuff.

This movie does have the trademark Jim Carrey comedy, but thankfully the rubber facial contortions were held to a minimum, which actually serve the movie quite well.Story-wise then "Liar Liar" is one of the better of Jim Carrey movies, because there is a deeper story to be told here, unlike many other of his movies which was essentially just physical comedy. The story in "Liar Liar" is about Fletcher Reede, a successful, fast-talking lawyer who spends more time at work than with his five year old son who is desperate for his father's attention. With one disappointment after the other, the son makes a desperate birthday wish; that his father will be unable to lie for 24 hours.The comedy was good, and the physical mimicry that is usually Associated with Jim Carrey was held to a minimum. And the cast ensemble was doing good jobs with their given roles, even though Jim Carrey cast a massive shadow over everyone else.I think that "Liar Liar" was a milestone and a turning point from the usual Jim Carrey routine and mass-produced physical comedy movies he is known for. Predictable, yes, but the movie is fun and entertaining nonetheless."Liar Liar" is a definite must watch if you enjoy a good comedy, or if you just enjoy Jim Carrey movies.

At this point in my life, I am not quite sure just how many times I have seen this particular movie. It is unbelievable that the movie is already 14 years old.I would not describe myself as the greatest fan of Jim Carrey, but in my view, he managed to get a fantastic balance between the obvious slapstick crazy comedy and pathos. I really care for the characters despite laughing a lot.I thought the director did a good job in allowing Jim some free reign and to use his talent as a vehicle.I thought Maura Tierney did a good job as well and Jennifer Tilly was very funny.The ironic thing is, I have not been able to prevent a little tear running down my cheek every time I see the scene at the end where he makes his promise to little Max.MILD SPOILERHe did lie, though. When Gretha asks him whether it is fair that her friend had to pay the robber who got hurt by a knife in her house, because of lawyers like Fletcher, he said no (to her initial surprise), adding that he would have gotten him TEN. (LOL) When she turns around angrily saying GOOD BYE MISTER REEDE, he blubbers, but then says, "I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION!" That is an outright lie.I love love love this movie and will probably watch it another 50 times in future!