Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Director: Peter and Bobby Farrelly 
Story: Peter Farrelly, Bennett Yellin, Bobby Farrelly
Cast: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly 
Music: Todd Rundgren
Time: 107 minutes
Bottom-line: A classic comedy; unforgettable! 

This cult comedy is probably the most famous Jim Carrey film, and arguably one of the most famous comedies of the 90s. Co-starring Jeff Daniels and Lauren Holly, the film is the story of buddies Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels), the former being a limousine driver and the latter, a dog groomer. Lloyd gets the chance to drive Mary Swanson (Holly) to the airport, and he falls in love with her at first sight. He notices her leaving her briefcase at the airport terminal and immediately rushes to hand it over to her, without realising that it contains money for the kidnappers of her husband. Unable to meet her, Lloyd and Harry decide to go to Aspen – where Mary is going – to return the briefcase, hoping that she would return the favour by improving their lives. Following them every inch of the way are the kidnappers themselves, hunting for their briefcase. Watch how the road trip and subsequent events turn out to be life-changing for Lloyd and Harry, and for everyone around them!

Jim Carrey as Lloyd and Jeff Daniels
as Harry (in the scene where they mimic
Dr. Hannibal Lecter)

Dumb and Dumber is one film that will lighten you up and get you cracking up no matter what mood you are in. This is one laughter ride that impresses with nearly every bit of humour – be it the comic actions of the duo, hilarious dialogues and what not! There are innumerable scenes and lines to quote, and who can forget the body language of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels that none other can imitate so perfectly! The scene in the motel where the duo unknowingly kill the kidnapper, the scene where Lloyd drives the wrong way and Harry lashes out at him, the scene with Harry and Lloyd in the gas station, and the prank Lloyd plays on Harry on the night of his date are few memorable ones that come to the top of my head, but there is a long list of them!

Lauren Holly as Mary

The stupider the acting, the more hilarious it is to watch... and though how in real life dealing with stupidity gets on your nerves, in Dumb and Dumber it gets you cracking up even more! This was the film that solidified Carrey’s career and gave a strong entry into cinema for the Farrelly brothers. Jeff Daniels does a remarkable role, for in no other film has he brought out his funny side as much as he does here! Jim Carrey did a lot of improvisation to perfect his role too, including the idea of “the most annoying sound in the world”.

Yes, the jokes may be old, and yes you may have seen the same thing over and over again too many times in other films, but despite the continuous delivery of nothing but one gag after another, Dumb and Dumber strikes the right notes thanks to the chemistry of its lead actors, and the charm that they bring to the screen. With its more or less family friendly comedy, comic performances and a catchy soundtrack, this film is still one of my favourite comedies. In the words of Lloyd, “I like it a lot.”

My Rating: 3.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 66%