I’ve never read any of the “Lemony Snicket” books. “Harry Potter,” OK. But that’s it when it comes to kids’ books. Still, without knowing much about the series, I'll go see “A Series of Unfortunate Events” for one reason: Jim Carrey.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since Carrey’s breakout year. Ever since his golden trio of “Dumb and Dumber,” “The Mask” and “Ace Ventura,” the guy always gets me into the movie theater. Considering his movies have grossed more than $1.6 billion domestically, I'm not the only one.
Ever since those three movies — thanks to manic behavior, comic timing and the funniest facial expressions a human can produce — Carrey’s had me hooked. Only Cartman’s facial training for the special Olympics in “South Park” can top Carrey’s silly putty face.
Few actors have better characters or more memorable movie quotes. Say “Yeah, that John Denver’s full of s--t” and try not to smile. Some might call Carrey's kind of humor “sophomoric.” I just call it funny.
In a world of comedian-turned-actors like Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Mike Myers, Steve Martin and Adam Sandler, Carrey was the first comedian to command a $20 million payday, and the first to pioneer the art of talking with his ass. You can't miss one of his movies because you never know what the guy will do next.
So stay away from those normal movies and keep the crazy ones coming, Jim.
Why get serious? I know what you’re saying: When has Jim Carrey ever made a normal movie? Fair point. “The Majestic,” his 2001 bomb, is the best example and one of his only ones. I’m one of the few who saw it. He was definitely normal in it, but I hope he never does a film like it again. For Carrey, normal is humorless, over-dramatic and boring. He was born to be the opposite of normal. So why fight it?
Comedians often try to win over the serious actors — to grab an award and try to justify their career with some relevant work. It’s routine in Hollywood. Carrey tried this with 1998’s “The Truman Show.” The character, Truman Burbank, is normal, but that’s about it. Carrey's Burbank is an everyday guy whose life is a TV show, unbeknownst to him. He’s surrounded by actors who try to make his life routine. Definitely not normal. But a great movie.
He made “Man on the Moon” a year later, an even bigger attempt to be normal. This time, he got to play Andy Kaufman, one of Hollywood’s least normal people. By Hollywood standards, that’s saying something. The movie is a straightforward biopic, but the characters are so bizarre — and Carrey is so uncannily Andy Kaufman — that it’s certainly not normal.
“Truman” was a hit, “Moon” wasn’t, but both were essential Jim Carrey yet clear departures from his comedies. It’s no coincidence that critics liked both movies better than anything else he’s done and starting praising his growth as an actor, etc.
Don't go changing
But here's the thing: his growth as an actor shouldn’t come at the expense of his natural comedic gifts. Do the broad comedies and the off-beat dramas, but make sure we always get a peek at the manic Carrey. Don’t be one of those actors who doesn’t showcase their abilities.
Don’t be Robin Williams. The last thing the film world needs is another crazy switch from “Patch Adams” schmaltz to skin-crawling “One Hour Photo.” Don’t be Adam Sandler. Sandler’s in the middle of his own career bridge right now, mixing up “50 First Dates” with stuff like “Punch Drunk Love.” But Sandler’s serious roles don’t let him be Sandler.
Bill Murray may be a dour actor having a mid-life crisis in “Lost in Translation,” but he’s still allowed to be funny. We never forget he’s Bill Murray. Similarly, Carrey will always be Jim Carrey. He’s a guy who mugs for the camera and we love him for it.
Why else would someone who’s not a kid or have kids go see “Lemony Snicket” or “How the Grinch Stole Christmas?” Or sit through “Me, Myself and Irene?” You have to see what this guy will do next.
Spectacular scripts make a differenceThe whole thing could just be semantics. The movie, the script, the character and the director all dictate how an actor or actress comes across on film. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” for which Carrey just grabbed a Golden Globe nomination, was one of the year's most original, entertaining and best films.
It’s in the “Truman” and “Moon” veins in that it’s not a straightforward comedy, but it’s also his least normal movie of the bunch.
Instead of being the usual wacky Jim Carrey, he plays this lonely guy who misses his girlfriend. But the more familiar Carrey comes out once we go inside his head — thanks to a company that erases any memories you don’t want to keep. We get a peek at the usual Carrey in those scenes, but Carrey's wackiness doesn’t dominate the movie.
It helps that Charlie Kaufman wrote the script, the genius nutjob behind “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation.” And it was directed by Michel Gondry, whose videos for Björk and the Chemical Brothers freak me out.
“Sunshine” isn’t a Carrey movie the same way “Grinch” or “Ace Ventura” are. It’s subtle, thoughtful and deeply affecting, particularly for those us with memories we wouldn’t mind erasing. It’s the kind of movie where people say they forget it’s Jim Carrey playing the role, but I say it’s impossible to picture anyone but Jim Carrey in that role.
Those are the roles and movies he needs to keep making.
Next up for Carrey
Carrey has more roles like that coming up, too. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” is a remake of the 1947 Danny Kaye movie about a guy who lives vicariously through his heroic and fantastic daydreams. Next summer's “Fun With Dick and Jane,” is more standard fare — another remake, this time of the 1977 film where a married couple robs banks to pay the bills.
I imagine both will be entertaining. Both will let Carrey be himself and neither will try to jam his manic energy into a normal role. Neither will force him to to leave the real Jim Carrey behind, though I imagine “Walter Mitty” will get reviews emphasizing how much he’s stretched as an actor.
Thankfully, he’s also slated to make a movie that will take full advantage of his elastic limbs and incredible energy.
“The Six Million Dollar Man,” directed by Todd Phillips — who helmed “Old School“ and “Starsky and Hutch” — is in development right now. Internet chat rooms are abuzz with complaints about using Carrey in the role Lee Majors made famous.
No way. If it's starring Carrey, it’ll be a sendup of the TV show, not a reenactment. Who wants someone trying to outdo Lee Majors, anyway? It would be like making a movie out of “Dallas” and not having Larry Hagman play J.R. The only thing they can do is turn it into a comedy.
I say bring it on. Sounds far from normal. And with Carrey in it, it sounds perfect.