The
Majestic Cast : Jim Carrey,
Martin Landau, Allen Garfield, Laurie Holden, Bruce Campbell,
Amanda Detmer
Director : Frank Darabont
Written By : Michael
Sloane
Producers : Frank Darabont
Official
Site : Warner
Brothers
Trailer
: Quicktime
(Various Res)
Released By : Universal
Pictures (Castle Rock Entertainment), Warner Brothers
(Internationally) |
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The Majestic
is a feel good American movie in the tradition
of the films of the great Frank Capra. It is on the outside
about American patriotism and pride, but when examined more
closely about human patriotism and pride. It is about the
willingness to stand up for what is right, right in your heart
not in the socially ingrained sense of the current time, the
willingness to change for the right.
The film
runs about two and a half hours, and it had no trouble keeping
my attention. Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The
Green Mile) directs, liking to go long. The essential breakdown
of the movie is into three acts. The first is the introduction
Jim Carreys character, Peter Appleton, as a screenwriter
residing in Hollywood. Right from the beginning, Appleton
is a yes-man, first being shown amidst the discussion,
of producers, on the ways to alter, or rather
ridiculously butcher, his screenplay to get it ready for the
upcoming filming. Appleton sits silent, the look on Carreys
face perfectly expressing his anger repressed only by his
apparent fear to stand up for himself and his work. As this
part of the movie carries on, eventually Appleton is accused
of being a communist and, thus, blacklisted. Upon
learning this Appleton goes for a car ride, and in an accident,
loses his memory.
The second
act of the movie has Appleton, with no memory of whom he is,
finding himself in a small dismal town, dismal we learn due
to the fact that many of its young citizens were the victims
of war. Appletons striking resemblance to one of the
boys whose body was never found triggers excitement throughout
the town making for some of the most feel-good and touching
moments in the movies this year.
The reactions
of the towns people to Appleton (who they think is Luke)
are very real and the script avoids being full of clichéd
plot devices. They question Lukes ten-year absence,
as we would expect any sane person to do in such a situation.
There is even a point where there is a possibility (only hinted
at), albeit far fetched, that Appleton really is Luke. Appleton
befriends almost all of the towns people, reopens The
Majestic (a movie theater once run by Lukes father
but closed after the devastation of the losses suffered during
war), and falls in love with the girl Luke was once in love
with. She doubts all along that he is really Luke but still
tries to believe. This leads into the third act in which Appleton
returns to face his accusers in Hollywood. The scenes in which
Peter finally stands up for himself is truly moving, truly
in the style of Frank Capra, and are absolutely great.
Jim Carrey
gives yet another great dramatic performance. He, in my opinion,
is one of the best actors in the world right now. Darabonts
direction in conjunction with David Tattersalls cinematography
makes for a beautiful looking movie. From beginning to end
I was loved with the look, feel, tone and atmosphere
of this movie. Whether you are American or not (I am not,
and neither is the films star), this movie stirs the
pride in everyone. It is an instant classic.
My Rating:
A
(5 out of 5)
By Blair Bass
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