"Michael Sloane's script is an atavistic reiteration of American ideals espoused by Frank Capra's films, decent small-town folks represent the traditional American values. Carrey plays Peter Appleton, an up-and-coming Hollywood screenwriter in 1951, who falls prey to the fervent McCarthyism (solely because in his college years, he once attended an anti-war Communist gathering trying to impress a girl), temporarily loses his memory in a road accident but fortuitously fetches up in the town of Lawson, California. Due to his striking resemblance to Luke Trimble, the long-lost son of local cinema owner Harry Trimble (Landau) who goes MIA during WWII, Peter is mistaken as Luke by the townsfolk. Assuming his new identity with a tinge of befuddlement, Peter basks in the "miraculous return of Luke" glory, something this sleepy town desperately needs because it has lost many sons for its country. He also connects romantically with Luke's fiancée Adele (Holden), and help Henry reopen his cinema palace 'the Majestic'."
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