Review of The Majestic (2001) by Jay L — 07 Jul 2013

"Sometimes your life comes into focus one frame at a time.".

A dazzling, majestic and completely spellbinding masterpiece from start to finish. An endlessly stylish, marvelously atmospheric, searingly emotionally compelling, spectacularly constructed work of cinematic art. A true rare gem of a film, a grand scale emotional epic that pumps out brilliance at every moment, a heartwarming story of retribution, rejuvenation, forgiveness and love. The Majestic is a one of a kind film, there will never be anything that will come close to capturing the vast amount of magic that radiates from the core of this spellbinding drama. Director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) is a one of a kind Director, this guy can and has put together multiple colossal epics, films that create an atmosphere, characters that we remember infinitely and stories that dive deep, and I mean deep into the soul. His films have power, they permeate with conviction, and this Frank-Capra inspired tale was just flat out genius throughout every scene. It's emotional, hard-hitting, touching, absorbing, gripping, tense, suspenseful, funny, masterful, legendary and just flat-out breathtaking, The Majestic hits every end of the emotional spectrum and even had me in tears at some points. Darabont creates pure emotion like nobody out there, The Majestic engulfs the same type of greatness that poured from his other two legendary films "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile" the man just pours his heart and soul into the characters, the actors, the storyline, the sets and everything else, he is a true master of cinema and belongs in the same class as the very best film makers to ever grace the big screen. The story grabs the viewer from the start and throws you into a gorgeous whirlwind of style, emotion and cinematic opiate bliss. The set designs were spectacular, the costumes were spot-on, the dialogue was precise and the entire atmosphere of the early 50's and of postwar small-town America was captured with powerful mastery and pure brilliance. The Majestic is truly an Award-Worthy film in my opinion and I think it's remarkably that this masterpiece wasn't universally loved like Darabont's other two classics. A feel-good film, a film that deserves/deserved more recognition that it got, it is indeed the last great film that I've seen from Frank Darabont and company. Frank Capra would be quite proud of a man who quite obviously has a love for the work that he did back in the forties and fifties. A marvelously eye-popping, emotionally-engaging powerhouse that should be seen by all, The Majestic now stands tall among my favorite films of all time.

The cast and the acting was spectacularly convincing throughout with talent oozing from everywhere in every scene. Jim Carrey gives a powerhouse of a brilliant performance, it sits as his very best performance in my eyes. Carrey generates pure conviction and let's his true dramatic talent run wild. Carrey is surrounded by a flurry of Darabont regulars whom all pour their respected hearts into some remarkably fantastic supporting performances. Featuring Talent from Bob Balaban, Martin Landau, Gerry Black, Brent Briscoe, Karl Bury, Jeffery Demunn and Catherine Dent. A magical gathering of talent for this atmospheric film that belongs in the same ranks as some of the great films to ever grace the big screen.