The Cable Guy
Page 2 of 5
Reviewed by LOKI
Y'know, I have rarely seen a film garner this much split in opinion as this one has. 40% loved it, 40% hated it, and 20% didn't know what to think. (Those are round about numbers, by the way.) I have to admit, though, that this reviewer falls into the first category. I liked it. True, it took some time to grow on me, but the more I watched it, the more I realized how creepily accurate Jim Carrey's portrayle of a sociopathic stalker was, especially after that abnormal psych class I took. He plays the Boogie Man so well, I shiver.
My only qualm comes from the description this film had been given - a comedy. Sure, there are moments of comedy, comedic brilliance even, but make no mistake this film is DARK. It's not the Ace Ventura we've all come to know. It's a dark comedy/thriller. If you go into this film expecting it to be dark, and even a tad (dare I say it) scary at times, then get ready for a great ride. The spider scene alone makes your blood run cold... Isn't it great! And for the comedy, Jim Carrey's at his best. A brilliant rendition of Jefferson Airplane's Somebody to Love is one of the film's signatures and most hilarious moments. And not forgetting Matthew Broderic, who had some great lines, wonderful takes - and played straightman to Jim's comedy overture like a virtuoso.
� Columbia Pictures
I also have the fortune to have a copy of the film's shooting script. I noticed there were quite a few on set revisions, as well as ommissions. There were scenes kept in the final cut, but at the last minute were also removed after test screening results (one of which I had the fortunate attendance). The script itelf is even darker, and could have easily garnered the film an "R" rating. And frankly, I wish it could have been released that way. Even with the cuts to get a PG-13 rating, the film is intense for kids. My hat off to Ben Stiller for a great directing job given the circumstances, and Jim Carrey for taking the risk of expanding his repertoire - and in my book succeeding.
I have to give this film a 7 out of ten - not because of the directing or acting, but because of the interference that didn't let this film be all that it could have been.
Y'know, I have rarely seen a film garner this much split in opinion as this one has. 40% loved it, 40% hated it, and 20% didn't know what to think. (Those are round about numbers, by the way.) I have to admit, though, that this reviewer falls into the first category. I liked it. True, it took some time to grow on me, but the more I watched it, the more I realized how creepily accurate Jim Carrey's portrayle of a sociopathic stalker was, especially after that abnormal psych class I took. He plays the Boogie Man so well, I shiver.
My only qualm comes from the description this film had been given - a comedy. Sure, there are moments of comedy, comedic brilliance even, but make no mistake this film is DARK. It's not the Ace Ventura we've all come to know. It's a dark comedy/thriller. If you go into this film expecting it to be dark, and even a tad (dare I say it) scary at times, then get ready for a great ride. The spider scene alone makes your blood run cold... Isn't it great! And for the comedy, Jim Carrey's at his best. A brilliant rendition of Jefferson Airplane's Somebody to Love is one of the film's signatures and most hilarious moments. And not forgetting Matthew Broderic, who had some great lines, wonderful takes - and played straightman to Jim's comedy overture like a virtuoso.
� Columbia Pictures
I also have the fortune to have a copy of the film's shooting script. I noticed there were quite a few on set revisions, as well as ommissions. There were scenes kept in the final cut, but at the last minute were also removed after test screening results (one of which I had the fortunate attendance). The script itelf is even darker, and could have easily garnered the film an "R" rating. And frankly, I wish it could have been released that way. Even with the cuts to get a PG-13 rating, the film is intense for kids. My hat off to Ben Stiller for a great directing job given the circumstances, and Jim Carrey for taking the risk of expanding his repertoire - and in my book succeeding.
I have to give this film a 7 out of ten - not because of the directing or acting, but because of the interference that didn't let this film be all that it could have been.
| Production Companies |
Columbia Pictures Corporation Licht/Mueller Film Corporation |
||
| Distributor | Columbia Pictures | ||
| Director | Ben Stiller | ||
| Writer | Lou Holtz Jr. | ||
| Producers | Judd Apatow Andrew Licht Jeffrey A. Mueller |
||
| Executive Producers | Bernie Brillstein Brad Grey Marc Gurvitz |
||
| Co-Producer | William S. Beasley | ||
| Composer | John Ottman | ||
| Cinematographer | Robert Brinkmann | ||
| Editor | Steven Weisberg | ||
| Cast List |
Jim Carrey Matthew Broderick Leslie Mann Jack Black George Segal Diane Baker Ben Stiller Eric Roberts Janeane Garofalo Andy Dick Harry O'Reilly David Cross Amy Stiller Owen Wilson Keith Gibbs Tommy Hinkley Shawn Michael Howard Jeff Kahn Suli McCullough Jeff Michalski Joel Murray Andrew Shaifer Cameron Starman Kathy Griffin Greg Hopla John Ferdinand Misa Koprova Paul Greco Aki Aleong Donna Hardy Lloyd Kino Sara Lowell Cynthia Mason Michael Rivkin Harper Roisman Sandra Thigpen Sean Whalen Marty Zagon Cynthia Lamontagne James O'Connell Douglas Robert Jackson Charles Napier Christopher Michael Charles Robinson John F. O'Donohue Lydell M. Cheshier Jason Larimore Ahmad Reese Emilio Rivera Bob Odenkirk Julie Hayden Annabelle Gurwitch Blake Boyd Liza D'Agostino Tabitha Soren Rikki Klieman Robert Simels Leonard O. Turner Carlo Allen Conrad Janis Thomas Scott Steven Scott Christine Devine Mark Thompson Wendy L. Walsh Marion Dugan Kyle Gass David Bowe Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc |
..... The Cable Guy ..... Steven M. Kovacs ..... Robin Harris ..... Rick ..... Steven's Father ..... Steven's Mother ..... Sam Sweet/Stan Sweet ..... Eric Roberts ..... Medieval Times Waitress ..... Medieval Times Host ..... Steven's Boss ..... Sales Manager ..... Steven's Secretary ..... Robin's Date ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Basketball Player ..... Cable Boy ..... Cable Boy's Mother ..... Medieval Times Fighter ..... Medieval Times Fighter ..... Heather ..... Raul ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Karaoke Party Guest ..... Restaurant Hostess ..... Bathroom Attendant ..... Bathroom Patron ..... Arresting Officer ..... Arresting Officer ..... Steven's Lawyer ..... Prison Guard ..... Jail Inmate ..... Jail Inmate ..... Jail Inmate ..... Jail Inmate ..... Steven's Brother ..... Steven's Sister ..... Steven's Sister-in-Law ..... Steven's Brother-in-Law ..... Newsroom Researcher ..... Herself ..... Rikki Klieman ..... Robert Simels ..... Sam Sweet Judge ..... Sam Sweet Court Judge ..... Father 'Double Trouble' ..... Sam Sweet - Age 8 ..... Stan Sweet - Age 8 ..... Anchor Woman ..... Newsroom Reporter ..... Reporter Outside Courtroom ..... Robin's Neighbor ..... Couch Potato ..... Helicopter Paramedic ..... Medevac Pilot |
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| Chip Douglas: | This concludes our broadcast day. Click. |
| Chip Douglas: | I'll juice ya up. |
| Chip Douglas: | Come back here, so that I may brain thee! |
| Chip Douglas: | I got you the big screen TV, deluxe karaoke machine, and THX quality sound that would make George Lucas cream in his pants! |
| Chip Douglas: | I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You seem to prefer the latter. |
| Chip Douglas: | You better buckle up. I've had a lot to drink... just kidding. That's my humor! |
| Chip Douglas: | Hey, Rick! I never made a slam dunk before. Thanks for the boost. |
| Chip Douglas: | You might recognize this song as performed by Jefferson Airplane, in a little rockumentary called "Gimme Shelter," about the Rolling Stones and their nightmare at Altamont. That night the Oakland chapter of the Hell's Angels had their way. Tonight, it's my turn. |
He Can Be Your Best Friend Or Your Worst Enemy.
Once you let him into your house, you'll never get him out of your life!
There's No Such Thing as Free Cable
Once you're hooked... you're his.
For Steven Kovacs, the price of cable is about to go up.
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