While understanding American social, political, and cultural history of the 1950s (particularly the McCarthy witch hunts and their effect on Hollywood) is useful background for understanding this film, suspension of disbelief is particularly important to enjoy The Majestic.
This movie is not really about politics. Politics is just the backdrop. The Majestic is more about Jim Carey's character's fear of confronting a major stumbling block in his career. Being blacklisted for something he claims not to have been a part of is enough to send him into a tailspin which ultimately sees him suffering from amnesia in a small California town where he ultimately finds family, love, acceptance and meaning in his life.
Is it believable that some collective psychosis exists in that town which leads everyone to believe that Jim Carey is someone he isn't? No it is not. But does this hamper the film's underlying meaning or prevent viewers from enjoying this film? Not at all. Therefore, suspension of disbelief is mandatory for viewers to have a satisfying cinematic experience. If viewers can overlook the unbelievable premise of mistaken identity and the inability of most to recognize it, or at least to publicly admit it, they will like what they see.
Jim Carey gives perhaps the best performance of his career as Peter Appleton, Hollywood screenwriter. Martin Landau, owner of The Majestic movie theater and "father" of Carey's apparent look-a-like, also gives a terrific portrayal of a man who lost then regains a son and the ability to realize a dream to rebuild the theater he once proudly owned and operated. The supporting cast is terrific, from the theater usher to Laurie Holden, who plays Adele Stanton, the town doctor's daughter who was once engaged to the person Carey is supposed to be. She becomes a lawyer, a Constitutional defender, and Carey's inspiration to confront Congress and realize his own dream for personal happiness away from Hollywood but very much within its world.
See The Majestic for a dignified Capra-inspired view of Hollywood filled with plenty of excellent performances. 8/10.
This movie is not really about politics. Politics is just the backdrop. The Majestic is more about Jim Carey's character's fear of confronting a major stumbling block in his career. Being blacklisted for something he claims not to have been a part of is enough to send him into a tailspin which ultimately sees him suffering from amnesia in a small California town where he ultimately finds family, love, acceptance and meaning in his life.
Is it believable that some collective psychosis exists in that town which leads everyone to believe that Jim Carey is someone he isn't? No it is not. But does this hamper the film's underlying meaning or prevent viewers from enjoying this film? Not at all. Therefore, suspension of disbelief is mandatory for viewers to have a satisfying cinematic experience. If viewers can overlook the unbelievable premise of mistaken identity and the inability of most to recognize it, or at least to publicly admit it, they will like what they see.
Jim Carey gives perhaps the best performance of his career as Peter Appleton, Hollywood screenwriter. Martin Landau, owner of The Majestic movie theater and "father" of Carey's apparent look-a-like, also gives a terrific portrayal of a man who lost then regains a son and the ability to realize a dream to rebuild the theater he once proudly owned and operated. The supporting cast is terrific, from the theater usher to Laurie Holden, who plays Adele Stanton, the town doctor's daughter who was once engaged to the person Carey is supposed to be. She becomes a lawyer, a Constitutional defender, and Carey's inspiration to confront Congress and realize his own dream for personal happiness away from Hollywood but very much within its world.
See The Majestic for a dignified Capra-inspired view of Hollywood filled with plenty of excellent performances. 8/10.