There's Something About Mary (1998)

O An excellent must-see
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / July 28, 2007

I dare anyone to challenge this statement: “There’s Something About Mary” is THE comedy of the ‘90s.

This is not my own sweeping conviction, mind you; but I submit that this movie was the most popular, most beloved comedy of the decade. As for my opinion, it’s fun, but it’s no masterpiece. The Farrelly brothers lose the reigns and the movie dives over the top on a few occasions.

But the premise is beautiful: It opens in Rhode Island, circa 1985. Awkward, nerdy Ted (Ben Stiller) proves that nice guys don’t always finish last by earning an invite to the prom from Mary Jensen (Cameron Diaz), the perfect gal. But a horrific “wardrobe malfunction” blows Ted’s chances of enjoying that date.

Years later Ted is still lamenting about what might have been, so he hires a low-life private investigator (Matt Dillon) to look Mary up. Unfortunately for Ted, the P.I. decides that there’s something about Mary that he likes, too. Essentially, we get a romantic comedy (minus the romance), where silly, scheming guys compete for the heart of a saccharine-sweet girl.

“There’s Something About Mary” has some unforgettable surprises (some of which had to be completely edited out for this version). The movie is still quite funny, coherent and entertaining.

If you haven’t seen “There’s Something About Mary,” you really should. After all, it was THE comedy of the ‘90s.

Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
Cameron Diaz / Ben Stiller / Matt Dillon
119 min. Comedy
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 15 and up

DVD release date: February 1, 2005
Copyright 2007.
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