|
Now, that's not to say he's not a nice guy, in fact he is,
but when it comes to standing up to or for things he's not
the type to jeopardise his film writing career for anything.
He has just had his first script filmed and the studio likes
his efforts on Sand Pirates of the Sahara. His next effort
is one he considers worthy and is a story set in a mining
area about the hard lives of its folk.
The problem for Appleton comes when the witch-hunters view
the work as being subversive and communistic and he is ordered
before the of House Un-American Activities Committee to 'fess
up to the fact he was a commie and he now regrets being associated
with them. He is also asked to name names of other reds.
On top of that the studio doesn't exactly sack him, but he
can't work there, and his beautiful actress fiancee (Amanda
Detmer) dumps him like a hot rock.
So, Appleton gets rat-arsed in a bar and takes a drive up
the Californian coast and ends up having an accident, losing
his memory and being taken in by the good folk of Lawson.
The town is still trying to recover from World War II during
which it lost more than 60 of its young sons.
On arrival, Appleton is mistaken for Luke Trimble, a war
hero who never returned. His father Harry (Martin Landau)
recognizes him and welcomes him back. In fact, the whole town
does and the friendliness touches him deeply.
He begins to think he is the long-lost Luke and with Harry
rebuilds the broken-down old movie theatre The Majestic.
But while life is improving for the amnesiac hero dark forces
are hovering as the FBI searches for the now-missing writer
Appleton.
The Majestic is a longish movie, although it doesn't seem
so (in fact it is almost too short at 147 minutes), and I
would have to say it will be one of the best put out on DVD
this year.
It is beautifully photographed, has a great script and the
actors - a veritable Who's Who - are outstanding.
Carrey is first-rate. He is such a great comic actor that
you tend to forget that he is a great actor in general and
his serious roles are always thought-provoking.
Landau is glorious as Harry, a man who suffered the death
of his beloved son, only to have him 'reappear'. In fact Landau's
performance is the best of the movie and is filled with a
desperate need to make up for the years he missed with his
son.
Laurie Holden is Adele, Luke's former fiancée, and
she plays her role to perfection.
In fact they all do. David Ogden Stiers as the town's doctor,
James (I love this guy) Whitmore and Bob Balaban is nastily
weedy and average as the key witch-hunter.
Some people may find parts of The Majestic corny or schmaltzy,
but most will be able to sit back and really enjoy the tale
of a person losing themselves and then discovering the meaning
- and worth - of courage.
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 75%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
|
