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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 4927
Released: June 18, 2002 |
| Our Price: $4.38 |
| Used Price: $0.69 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
JIM CARREY PLAYS AN AMNESIA VICTIM WHO, MISTAKEN AS A MISSING,FAVORITE-SON WAR HERO BY A TINY CALIFORNIA TOWN, RESTORES AND REOPENS THE LOCAL ABANDONED MOVIE PALACE, DISCOVERING LOVE ANDREBUILDING HIS OWN LIFE ALONG THE WAY.
Description of The Majestic:
The Majestic is an old-fashioned throwback replete with a 1950s B-script and halcyon values like patriotism, true love, and clean fun. Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is a Hollywood scriptwriter with a sexy gal, a screenplay under his belt, and his big break on the horizon. But when his name is mistakenly given to the House Un-American Activities Committee, Appleton's dreams of success in the biz quickly unravel. An ensuing car accident leaves him without a memory but a great opportunity--as a small town's Luke Trimble, war hero and all-around swell guy, with whom he happens to bear an uncanny physical resemblance. Of course, there's a beautiful woman (Sandra Sinclair) who waited for his return from the war, an endearing old dad (Martin Landau), and the magical Majestic movie house to renovate and reopen. As Appleton's memory eventually catches up to him, however, The Majestic veers off toward Mr. Smith Goes to Washington territory, complete with a monologue on the First Amendment. Unfortunately, despite the film's earnest striving to be Capra-esque and Carrey's undeniable star quality, the charm is more reminiscent of Ronald Reagan than Jimmy Stewart. --Fionn Meade
The Majestic Reviews:
The Majestic 
2009-11-11 - This is going to be a classic! You also get to see Jim Carrey in his best role. This puts him on the same level as Jimmy Stewart and Grant.
"I Remember You" 
2009-08-18 - "The Majestic" is one of Jim Carrey's most interesting films. Once again, he plays a straight-faced character (The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and leaves the comic shtick aside for this 2001 sleeper. Carrey plays Peter Appleton a Hollywood screenwriter who happens to be blacklisted during the 1950s Communist Scare McCarthy-era and who's life takes an enormous turn while making an evening drive, he attempts to avoid running over a possum. It is after that event that the film emerges into something out of a Frank Capra film a la "It's a Wonderful Life" with its subtle tint of patriotism and mega dose of nostalgia.
With that element in mind, there are interesting aspects within the storyline that highlight the film. Carrey's character loses his memory and the people of the small town of Lawson takes him in as their own, especially Martin Landau's character, Harry Trimble, who thinks as well as the rest of the townspeople that Peter is his son Luke, the hometown boy who has been missing for nine years possibly during the War in the Pacific. Also, Adele Stanton played by Laurie Stanton, the girl he left behind has still left the light on for Luke, so to speak, which adds a bit of romance within the movie. But most importantly, the human condition that has been displayed in most Capra films.
Overall, "The Majestic" was an enlightening film to watch despite it running a little over two hours. And this only goes to show that Hollywood can still produce films that hit a soft spot.
Really quite good
2009-06-15 - This is a very well made film that really touches the emotions. The acting, writing, and photography are all very strong.
I'm surprised by how many negative reviews there are - I expected a higher rating when I checked. Yes, they lay on the sugar quite thick, but it's well done.
Unwatchable 
2008-11-02 - A good movie is one that captures my attention from the beginning scene, irrespective of my mood, ambience/lighting/noise level of the room, or whether I am multitasking or trying to stay focused. Nothing, nothing in this movie from the start captured my interest--and I was completely focused on the screen and had an open mind. The beginning was trite, to say the least. The movie dragged on and on, and the music was unbearable. Even the scene of the accident on the bridge was too contrived. The director was trying hard to draw the viewer's sympathy toward each character long before that was ever any chance for developing this character. Sappy music prevailed over every scene. Jim Carrey's character did not have the same level of intrigue as Truman in "The Truman Show" or the other mellow/somber character in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". I don't blame it on Carrey's acting. It was all because the director lacked creativity or vision in making the character interesting from the beginning.
When I decided to give up on the movie (after the father brings Luke home), I fast-forwarded to subsequent chapters. I found the scenes extremely contrived. Somehow the director was trying very hard to make this another "Pleasantville" (which, by the way, was an outstanding movie). I thought I was watching the worst of Barry Levinson or Rob Reiner or Penny Marshall! Clint Eastwood could have pulled this movie off much better!
If you are looking for portrayals of a highly sanitized, glossed over, extremely idealistic, and completely UNrealistic 50s life, and if you want a movie that tries hard to touch every sentimental neuron and synapse in your brain, then look no further. But, if you don't like exceedingly sappy movies, then, by all means, stay away from this one!
Fantastic story
2008-09-11 - I absolutely love this movie; I've watched it at least five times since I have owned it which is only a few weeks. It is warm, caring, wonderful message, and an insight into what folks went through during the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950's.
