Review of Dumb and Dumber (1994) by Stevenf — 27 Jul 2013

Dumb and Dumber revels in its juvenile and crude behaviour, it's the sort of film I sometimes feel ashamed to call side-splitting and brilliant, not from start to finish but it's various moments where it is utterly impossible not to roll over on tears of laughter for the stupidity you are seeing.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels participate in the film that arguably kick started both their careers, they share a convincing comedic presence on screen, with a script that paints them as utter morons, thinking an Austrian accent qualifies to rhyme of a "G'day mate." Or that Aspen is in California. These one-lined treasures rely on the timing of the actors, and they are timed with perfect precision. They take a road trip out of love and I'm turn get mixed up with some unsavoury people.

They take the trip to return a briefcase to Aspen where Lloyd's brief rendezvous with a rich woman has him head over heels.Their misadventures are the selling point of the film, taking wrong turns, having toilet relations and fooling blind children, the humour is ridiculous, but one can't help but laugh uncontrollably.

Jim Carrey brings to life the character of Lloyd, whose unorthodox personality and 'witty' ideas lead the film, while Jeff Daniels has his own moments, it's Carrey who steals the show. The stupidity can at times seem like a cover for an underlying sparkle of wit, purposely leaving it to the star power to make it good. One such case is a particular toilet scene, while flatulence can be no laughing matter, the scene relies on the facial expressions of Daniels, who does it with the upmost hilarity.

The characters they play paint a picture of buddies who never seem to take anything seriously, even at gunpoint, their quips and arrogance of situations make the film what it is.

The premise is simple and easy to follow, buts the performances and writing that push the envelope and make this a comedy that is hard to forget, it could be the era in which it came out or perhaps the talent involved, at almost 20 years old, the film still stands among viewers as one of the funniest to come along, with a sequel always sought after. Its the audience who speak, and this is one of those comedies that just works.