The Majestic
Review by By Clint Morris
 Capra-esque
and joyously optimistic, The Majestic marks the dramatic
feature film debut of Jim Carrey, a name no one would have
believed could pull off a role requiring so much tenderness,
compassion and command. Storing the whoopee-cushion and rubbery-faced
antics in an attic toy box, Carrey unleashes his other side…
a powerful and commanding dramatic performer, to blissful
results.
Working in hand with a terribly sweet Frank Darabont tale
- Carrey will surprise most of his tough critics with the
memorable performance and the remaining few will head straight
for a box of Kleenex.
Peter Appleton (Carrey) is a screenwriter riding through
1951 with a successful B-movie and an even bigger feature
on the way. But as quickly as the credits roll on his films,
Appleton's life takes a turn for the worse. He finds himself
unfairly named by the witch-hunting house un-American Activities
Committee and blacklisted. Going for a midnight drive to clear
his mind, Appleton has a car accident, and awakens the next
morning on a beach with amnesia.
He eventually finds himself in a small town called Lawson,
where the townsfolk believe he is a World War II hero returned.
Overjoyed is Harry (Martin Landau), owner of the recently
closed Majestic theatre and doting father of the lost man.
When the word spreads that one of the town's sons has return
home safely from the war - some nine-and-a-half years after
the war ended - a glimmer of new hope and enchantment sprinkles
on the locals, resulting in a shimmering party and a newly
found sense of hope.
Our lad lends a hand in re-opening the beloved majestic theatre,
picks up where he left off with an old flame (Holden) and
bonds with his adoring father.
 What
the newborn screenwriter is forgetting (understandably) is
that even though he doesn't remember who he is - others do,
and they will come looking.
The Majestic is lovely. It's a light and fluffy family
drama boasting some of the most miraculous screen moments
to come along in quite some time. Martin Landau and Jim Carrey
as father and son are an absolute delight to watch together,
as are the scenes where our two young lovers rediscover their
love for one another.
A star in it's own right is the film's Majestic theatre,
a lavish looking palace of yesteryear transformed into an
even more glittering place of pleasure. The film is at its
best during its lengthy middle section, as the resurrected
Luke brings hope to a community that lost 62 young men during
World War II and has never fully recovered. In return, the
town opens Peter's soul, which was closed down as the result
of living within the jaded borders of Hollywood.
Director Frank Darabont is in his element, pushing the buttons
at the right times, especially when accompanied by Mark Isham's
stirring musical score and the tender performance of some
of the leads, notably Carrey, Landau, and newcomer Laurie
Holden (The X Files) adding spunk to the role of Adele,
the young woman who has held a torch for the lost war hero.
It's a delight to see some of the classic stars back on the
big screen too, including James Whitmore, Hal Halbrook, David
Ogden Stiers, and an all too rare exercise to see them in
well-written parts.
Although some will find it rather far fetched and uncompromising,
and a little 'preachy' by the third act, The Majestic is
a highly enjoyable film that not only will have some smiling
to high-heavens, but most will be in awe at just how amazing
Jim Carrey is.
4 out of 5
The Majestic
Australian release: Thursday May 16th
Cast: Jim Carrey, Martin Landau, Laurie Holden, Bob Balaban,
Gerry Black, Jeffrey DeMunn, Catherine Dent, Hal Holbrook,
Ron Rifkin, David Ogden Stiers, James Whitmore, Amanda Detmer,
Bruce Campbell.
Director: Frank Darabont.
Website: Click
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