Dumb and Dumber




I'm talkin' about a place where the beer flows like wine, where the women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.

This was the Farrelly brothers' first movie, and their mix of vulgar comedy proved to be incredibly successful. It paved the way for a barrage of similar movies. Though of late, the Farrelly movies have been a tad lacking.

Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) are two completely idiotic best friends who live together. They just lost their jobs and are looking for a fresh start. When an important briefcase comes into their possession, they decide to relocate to Aspen, Colorado and bring back the briefcase to the owner, Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly). Lloyd is crazy for her, despite that he's only meeting her once. Little do they know that the briefcase is trouble, as it involves them in a kidnapping plot.

There are other comedies with more meaning or in some cases, a real point. There are other comedies that deliver bigger laughs. There are comedies that deliver faster laughs. But for some reason, this one stays with you. The jokes are memorable and extremely quotable. It is rarely when any of them do not work. Part road trip, part social disaster, it has plenty of room for all manner of angles.

Maybe it's because the characters, while crude and moronic, are likable. There is a certain charm to two best friends bumbling through life. By they're own IQ handicap they're doomed to below average lives. That won't stop them from dreaming, however. Opening a worm store is just on the horizon.

It goes without saying that Carrey and Daniels make this movie. Carrey's comedic genius puts in overtime here. With his goofy expressions, mannerisms and voices, he helps gives this movie the spark it needs. While Daniels' performance is slightly less stated, he is by no means out done. Each has their own kind of stupidity and they play perfectly off each other. Surprisingly, they also pull off the more serious moments as well.

Despite its best attempts, this is something of a comedy classic.



-The Gnome