5/5 The Majestic
  by Richard Butterfoss (Pennington, NJ)
This is going to be a classic! You also get to see Jim Carrey in his best role. This puts him on the same level as Jimmy Stewart and Grant.

4/5 "I Remember You"
  by R. DelParto (Virginia Beach, VA USA)
"The Majestic" is one of Jim Carrey's most interesting films. Once again, he plays a straight-faced character (The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and leaves the comic shtick aside for this 2001 sleeper. Carrey plays Peter Appleton a Hollywood screenwriter who happens to be blacklisted during the 1950s Communist Scare McCarthy-era and who's life takes an enormous turn while making an evening drive, he attempts to avoid running over a possum. It is after that event that the film emerges into something out of a Frank Capra film a la "It's a Wonderful Life" with its subtle tint of patriotism and mega dose of nostalgia.

With that element in mind, there are interesting aspects within the storyline that highlight the film. Carrey's character loses his memory and the people of the small town of Lawson takes him in as their own, especially Martin Landau's character, Harry Trimble, who thinks as well as the rest of the townspeople that Peter is his son Luke, the hometown boy who has been missing for nine years possibly during the War in the Pacific. Also, Adele Stanton played by Laurie Stanton, the girl he left behind has still left the light on for Luke, so to speak, which adds a bit of romance within the movie. But most importantly, the human condition that has been displayed in most Capra films.

Overall, "The Majestic" was an enlightening film to watch despite it running a little over two hours. And this only goes to show that Hollywood can still produce films that hit a soft spot.


4/5 Really quite good
  by D. Burns (Los Gatos, CA United States)
This is a very well made film that really touches the emotions. The acting, writing, and photography are all very strong.

I'm surprised by how many negative reviews there are - I expected a higher rating when I checked. Yes, they lay on the sugar quite thick, but it's well done.



1/5 Unwatchable
  by Luis P. Fernandez (Cambridge, MA)
A good movie is one that captures my attention from the beginning scene, irrespective of my mood, ambience/lighting/noise level of the room, or whether I am multitasking or trying to stay focused. Nothing, nothing in this movie from the start captured my interest--and I was completely focused on the screen and had an open mind. The beginning was trite, to say the least. The movie dragged on and on, and the music was unbearable. Even the scene of the accident on the bridge was too contrived. The director was trying hard to draw the viewer's sympathy toward each character long before that was ever any chance for developing this character. Sappy music prevailed over every scene. Jim Carrey's character did not have the same level of intrigue as Truman in "The Truman Show" or the other mellow/somber character in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". I don't blame it on Carrey's acting. It was all because the director lacked creativity or vision in making the character interesting from the beginning.

When I decided to give up on the movie (after the father brings Luke home), I fast-forwarded to subsequent chapters. I found the scenes extremely contrived. Somehow the director was trying very hard to make this another "Pleasantville" (which, by the way, was an outstanding movie). I thought I was watching the worst of Barry Levinson or Rob Reiner or Penny Marshall! Clint Eastwood could have pulled this movie off much better!

If you are looking for portrayals of a highly sanitized, glossed over, extremely idealistic, and completely UNrealistic 50s life, and if you want a movie that tries hard to touch every sentimental neuron and synapse in your brain, then look no further. But, if you don't like exceedingly sappy movies, then, by all means, stay away from this one!

5/5 Fantastic story
  by Lovenly (North Branch, MN)
I absolutely love this movie; I've watched it at least five times since I have owned it which is only a few weeks. It is warm, caring, wonderful message, and an insight into what folks went through during the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950's.