LIAR, LIAR

LIAR, LIAR is the story of Fletcher Reed, a self-absorbed defense attorney portrayed by the “comedian of a thousand faces,” Jim Carrey. Divorced and consumed with his career, Carrey’s character finds it impossible to conduct himself without lying. One lie leads to another, and his ex-wife Audrey (Maura Tierney) and young son find it increasingly impossible to believe anything he says. One thing, however, is not in question: Fletcher loves his son Max (Justin Cooper); and, Max loves his father. It begins when a very disappointed Max, realizing his dad isn’t going to come to his birthday party, makes a wish that his dad wouldn’t be able to tell a lie for one day.

The comedy that ensues is classic Jim Carrey. It entails solid funny material that covers his work relationships and his battle for promotion within the firm. As his house of cards comes tumbling down in one day, Fletcher begins to realize that he is about to lose something far more precious than his career: his son. The man who cried wolf one too many times finds it very difficult to convince anyone of any permanent change, but Fletcher does try. Ending up in jail for various infractions with traffic cops, he blows nearly every chance he has left to repent before his ex-wife and son move to Boston.

The secondary storyline, which examines Fletcher’s internal struggle, concerns his client Samantha Cole who is as crooked as they come. The only way he could win her divorce settlement is by lying. Now, Fletcher is faced with having to throw in the towel or somehow use the truth to resolve the case. This sets the tone for some riotously funny courtroom antics.

The story comes to a resolution by teaching Fletcher not how to love, but how to be real and to tell the truth. It is regrettable that Mr. Carrey’s humor is excessively vulgar and coarse, and so it cannot be considered appropriate for younger audiences. It is, of course, unnecessary and detracts from an otherwise very funny, entertaining and even moderately morally uplifting film. The family is actually encouraged, and the relationship of Fletcher with his ex-wife ends with a pleasant surprise that is uncharacteristic of Hollywood’s cynical view of the institution of marriage and the family. Care should be noted in that Fletcher tells the truth via a birthday wish from his son. This is pagan magical thinking, not a prayer to the sovereign God.

The quality of the production is serviceable. The performance by Justin Cooper is noticeably fresh. Carrey, of course, gives his usual outlandish performance, even adding several layers of warmth and emotional value to his character which is a welcome change from the mindless entertainment of DUMB AND DUMBER. LIAR, LIAR isn’t for the whole family, but it does tell an important lesson of telling the truth, one of God’s Ten Commandments.