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The Majestic
Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 2001
Rated: PG
Film Length: 152 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (1.85:1)
"We were young we were in love and
we were working in pictures. Life is Good!"
Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is a writer working
in Hollywood during the 1950's, writing such
B-grade movies as ""Sand Pirates Of The Sahara",
which is enjoying its premier at Graumans Chinese
Theater. It's also a time of Senator Joseph McCarthy's
investigation into House Un-American activities in Hollywood.
Appleton is at the top of his world, but that
world soon comes crumbling down when he is suddenly
named as a member of the Communist Party. Depressed
after he is suspended from his job, Peter goes for a
drive and accidentally crashes off a bridge and into
a raging river.
When Peter is finally found lying on a beach, he
has no memory of his former existence. He is walked
into town where he receives medical attention.
Everyone that he meets finds him familiar, but it
is Harry Trimble (Martin Landau)who recognizes him
as his long lost son, Luke Trimble, who was thought
lost in World War II.
Peter...er, Luke accepts the town accepting him as
Luke Trimble. After all, no other memory of his
life exists. He becomes reacquainted with Adele
Stanton (Laurie Holden), who was engaged to be
married to Luke when he returned home from the war.
Harry Trimble takes his new-found son home to an
apartment located above a run-down movie theater
called The Majestic. Harry talks his son into
helping him revive the theater. With the help of
Peter, Irene the candy lady (Susan Willis), and
Emmett the usher (Gerry Black). The town feels a
new sense of hope but the past soon catches up
with Peter as his memory slowly comes back and
very important men are hot on his trail.
From Frank Darabont, Director of The Green Mile,
comes another wonderfully warm movie that uses the
nostalgia of a small town in the early 50s to create
a beautiful community of people that the audience
instantly snugs up to -- so much so, that the effects
of events on the lives of these characters are so
heartwarmingly felt by the audience as well.
This is a wonderful movie that often gets sappy,
though it is easily forgiven for the absolute
superb performance by Jim Carrey.
How is the transfer?
Wonderful.
Warner Brothers again produces a crisp and detailed
transfer that brings out the warmth of the film.
While flesh tones tend to run a little red, it's
the colors of The Majestic's neon lights that are a
treat to behold. When those neons light up, you
will too, as your mouth will drop at all the wonderful
colors that peak out of the transfer.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix is adequate given the
nature of this film. The rears are used only to
supplement Mark Isham's beautiful score, as well
as the occasional effect noises of a thunderstorm,
underwater escape, court room crowd or the sound
from inside a train. Take note that there is some
very strong LFE activity for the subwoofer which
rumbled many times during the film's more active
moments.
Special Features
nbsp;
I am surprised that a film that received
such critical acclaim doesn't get a total
red carpet treatment on DVD.
There is no commentary and no featurettes
on the making of this film included.
What is included...
There are no less than seven deleted scenes
included on this DVD. Some of these include:
* Peter arriving at the studio gate only to
receive an unruly welcome from the security guard.
* After his studio desk is cleared, Peter goes
to talk to the boss but gets headed off.
* Doc discusses Luke's amnesia with Harry, telling
him to gently reintroduce Luke back to his
surroundings, hoping his memory will be jogged.
* Luke's first walk-through of The Majestic lobby,
as he confusingly tries to figure out if any of
it looks familiar.
* Adele having a hiccup fit outside of a train
station after learning about the reappearance of
Luke.
A very interesting addition, Sand Pirates of
the Sahara, the movie within a movie, is
presented here in its complete sequence.
(length: approx 4.5 minutes)
The Hollywood Blacklist is explored in
a few pages of text that describe the American
government's shift of focus to the threat of
communism, shortly after World War II. We
learn exactly who the targeted "Hollywood Ten"
were and how that lead to more than 300 writers,
directors and actors losing work in Hollywood
because they were alleged as being communists.
A very extensive Cast Filmography is
included for such a wonderful troupe of actors.
Clicking on each name brings up an extensive list
of their resumes.
Finally, the film's original theatrical
trailer is included.
Final Thoughts
I love it when I find that needle in a haystack,
or rather a movie amongst others that takes me
by surprise and leaves me smiling thanks to the
warm glow within me.
Worth a purchase!
Release Date: June 18, 2002
