Liar Liar [M]

Fletcher Reede is a great lawyer and a divorced, habitual liar who has broken his son’s heart on countless occasions. So, on his fifth birthday, Max wishes that, for one day, his dad could not tell a lie. And his wish comes true. Now Fletcher has to struggle through 24 hours and the biggest court trial of his career… without telling a single lie. 

One of the most stereotypical, but most memorable performances from Jim Carrey, Liar Liar is simple and cheesy and overacted, but you can’t help but smile and laugh. It’s classic. 

Fletcher Reede is a great lawyer and a divorced, habitual liar who has broken his son’s heart on more than one occasion. So, on his fifth birthday, Max wishes that, for one day, his dad could not tell a lie… And his wish comes true! Now, Fletcher has 24 excruciating hours to struggle through as well as the biggest court trial of his career… without telling a single lie! 

Admittedly this film was just a simple story that only was made into a film because it lent itself to so many great comedic moments. A bit like Yes Man, which I do realise was made years afterwards, Liar Liar is a silly story that was driven forwards solely by the film’s hero: Jim Carrey. 

When people think of Jim Carrey, images of eccentric screaming, noises, facial expressions, and amazing moments of slapstick and other physical gestures of comedic brilliance spring to mind. It’s sad to say that that is the type of performance and, in particular, genre, that defines Jim, but he does do it so incredibly well. There is no other actor alive that has the effect on an audience that Jim Carrey does. It has to be said. But his performance in Liar Liar was more than just shouting, screeching, and gestures that seemed to be channelling Peter Sellars in Dr. Strangelove at one point. Jim’s chemistry with his on-screen son, Max, played so lovely by Justin Cooper, is one that will melt the heart. It does seem cheesy and a bit clichéd, but it still is a heart-warming story that can outshine the comedy when it wants to. That cannot be denied. 

Starring Maura Tierney, Anne Haney, Jennifer Tilly, Jason Bernard, Swoosie Kurtz, Mitch Ryan, and Carey Elwes, Liar Liar is a classic comedy that’s packed with all types of comedy, relationships, suspense, and the truth. It may be silly and somewhat overdone, but it definitely won’t be denied. I do love this flick. 

AND THE TRUTH…SHALL SET YOU FREE!!!