No doubt the funniest comedy of 1998, and one of the best comedies of the decade, There's Something About Mary launched the careers of stars Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz into the stratosphere. Directed by Farrelly brothers Bobby and Peter, producers of such films as Dumb & Dumber (1994), Kingpin (1996), and Fever Pitch (2005), There’s Something About Mary ranks as one of their best films. Veteran screenwriters Ed Decter and John J. Strauss manage to combine onscreen romance with brilliant humor, making this film a definite must-see comedy on any cinema lover’s list.
There’s Something About Mary follows the life of 30-year-old writer Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller). While in therapy, Ted realizes he can’t go on with life until he finds out what happened to his old high school flame Mary Jensen (Cameron Diaz). Taking to the advice of his friend Dom Woganowski (Chris Elliott), Ted hires a private investigator to track her down. But the investigator, a shady guy named Pat Healy (Matt Dillon), lies to Ted and tells him Mary is a fat pig in wheelchair with several illegitimate children. Meanwhile, he packs his own bags to move down to Miami, where she really lives, so he can get close to the real Mary Jensen who is a sexy, intelligent, sports-loving doctor. But when Ted decides he still wants to see Mary, even though she may not be everything he remembers, the plot takes a sudden twist.
Ted soon discovers the truth about Pat Healy, and the truth about numerous admirers who all want to be with Mary. In fact, one such admirer has been stalking Mary for over a decade. Reunited with Mary and her disabled brother Warren (W. Earl Brown), the couple picks up where they left off. But the jealous Pat Healy and his fellow stalkers aren’t going to give up easily, and when Mary’s ex-fiance the Packman resurfaces, it looks like it might be the end for Mary and Ted.
This film is rich with some of the funniest scenes you’ll ever see in a movie. In one such scene, Ted picks up a hitchhiker on his way to Miami, and the hitchhiker turns out to be a serial killer. At first, the police think Ted is the killer, and the result is a hilarious exchange of dialogue that will have you rolling on the floor in laughter.
But when Mary starts seeing more of Ted and less of Healy, Healy teams up with Mary’s supposed architect friend, Tucker (Lee Evans), who’s really a pizza delivery boy who fell in love with Mary while delivering a pie one night. The two concoct a series of ploys to sabotage both Ted and each other in the quest to win over Mary. Matt Dillon turns in a brilliant performance as the loathsome private investigator, and his initial approach of Mary and pathetic attempts at sensitive dialogue by themselves make this movie a winner.
Overall, There’s Something About Mary is a witty and downright hilarious comedy that will leave you in a perpetual state of laughter. Ben Stiller is at his best in this one. If you loved Zoolander or Meet The Parents, you’ll fall in love with There’s Something About Mary.
Britt's Rating: 9.5/10
Article comments
1 - Mary K. Williams
One of my favs - it'll endure for a long time.