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Should I give Cable Guy another try? (1 Viewer)

WoodyH

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 23, 2000
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228
Just curious about this one.
I saw The Cable Guy when it came out in the theaters and absolutely hated it. I can't really explain why anymore, it's been too long for me to remember all the reasons, but I still have very strong memories of really, really not liking this movie - in fact, loathing would probably be a much more accurate term.
However...I went out this weekend and saw Zoolander, and really enjoyed it. While I was perusing the Review and Discussion threads for Zoolander, I noticed that The Cable Guy kept being brought up, often mentioned as being better than Zoolander.
So, now I'm torn. I rarely go back and re-visit movies I have such strong memories of disliking (for instance, I saw Supergirl when it was in the theaters - I must have been around ten - and declared on my way out that I'd never watch it again...so far, so good...), however I'm wondering if it might be worth giving The Cable Guy another chance. Could anyone out there give me some (preferably spoiler-free) reasons why I should - or maybe why I shouldn't - bother? If it's just up to me, I probably won't...but I've discovered some good flicks through the opinions of this forum, so have learned not to dismiss them offhand.
Quick addendum: many of the films I like have darker themes to them, and I'm often a big fan of black comedies, so I do remember that I felt like it was odd that I didn't like The Cable Guy when I first saw it, as I remember it being very much a black comedy...but...(shrugs)...? I dunno...just looking for opinions, I guess. :)
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Woody Hanscom
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Alex Spindler

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Jan 23, 2000
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My personal belief was that Cable Guy was mismarketed as a general comedy when it truly is much darker black comedy about obsession. There are some very clever comedy scenes that would stand in place of a bloody scene from Single White Female. In addition, there is some great work from Matthew Broderick - Right up there with Ferris and Election in my opinion. Plus Jim puts on the evil hat like never before, and I think he does well with it.
I would say give it another chance and let the movie tell you what it is, not the marketing.
 

James D S

Screenwriter
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Nov 14, 2000
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1,000
Can you imagine how strong this movie could have been had Chip died on that fall? That ending would work on so many levels, it pains me that they passed up on it opting for the vanilla ending it has now.
Otherwise, a decent movie, IMO.
 

andreasingo

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 9, 1999
Messages
81
I loved Cable Guy.
There's several reasons for this.
First I have to say I like Jim Carrey, I think he's a great actor. That guy can play anything. I think he could pull off a serious role any time (watch "The Truman Show" or "Man on the moon" if you don't beleave me).
The thing is: I think Jim Carreys role in Cable Guy was his best role to date. This movie is misunderstood. It's not only a very dark comedy, I think this movie has a lot to say as a straight drama too. People thought this movie was the next Jim Carrey vehicle when actually it was more a movie about lonelyness and desperation. It was presented as a dark comedy but it transcended that. Maybe it's because I could identify with the cable guy, a computer geek as I am, I don't know. I thought this movie was great on several levels. It was shot better than any other Jim Carrey movie, it was smarter and more original. Maybe that's the reason a lot of people didn't like it.
[Edited last by andreasingo on October 05, 2001 at 02:45 PM]
 

WoodyH

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Mar 23, 2000
Messages
228
Alex -
Maybe it's because I could identify with the cable guy, a computer geek as I am, I don't know.
Well, I often fall into that 'computer geek' category also, and I don't remember identifying with Carrey's character in TCG at all - my memory of him is as a raving loony psychopath, very likely a menace (intentional or not) to those around him - more so when they're not around him by choice.
Admittedly, though, it was 1996 when I last saw this, and I did have the mental image of Carrey as the uber-mugging clown that he was at the time, whether or not I expected that to be the focus of the film. Maybe now that I've seen that he can do more than strech his face into previously unknown dimensions, I'd see more in his performance than I did at the time.
If nothing else, asking the question and reading your responses has at least got the movie in my head enough that I'll probably break down and rent it sometime in the near future just to answer my own questions.... :)
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Woody Hanscom
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Paul_D

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Jul 28, 2001
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2,048
I love this movie. When I say it on video (didnt catch it at the theater cos of the reviews!) I simply couldn't understand why the critics gave it a bashing.
Give the Cable Guy another try! Here's why:
1) One word: MARKETING. The above poster said it right! This film's marketing screwed it pure and simple. Carrey's only movies were basically slapstick kids movie before this one, and when it came out, the marketing was oriented squarely at the kiddies, and suggested that The Cable Guy featured the same comedy and same Jim Carrey as 'The Mask', 'Ace Ventura' etc. It doesn't!
Make no mistake: This is an adult comedy. Kids wouldn't get half the jokes, or the underlying themes of the movie... (loneliness, despression, the product of far too much TV etc...). As a result the kids hated it, and the critics reviewed it as if it were a family film.
2) The Jefferson Airplane sequence is a classic of comedy!
3) There is a terrifically funny scene with Owen Wilson, which put into context (i.e. bearing his other roles/cameos in Ben Stiller movies in mind), is even funnier!
4) This movie provides some important educational tips on safety, namely that you SHOULDN'T go bunjey-jumping in Mexico - they just don't have the regulations! (Check this scene out again - its hilarious).
Hope you enjoy it!
 

Paul_D

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the only three that I've seen that really stand out as films I've really liked are Wargames, Ladyhawke, Ferris, and Glory - all '89 or prior.
Have you seen 'You Can Count on Me'. Brodericks not the star, and its not a comedy. But damn! Is that a good movie. Check it out. I highly recommend it!
 

Brett Hancock

Supporting Actor
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Jun 17, 2001
Messages
922
I have to agree with the fact that it was marketed towards the wrong audience. When i first saw this I was what else a kid and I did not get any of the jokes so I dismissed it as a stupid movie. Now in my older wiser years(still only 16) I gave it another shot. Wouldn't you know I loved it. A great movie in my opinion. So yes I would go back and re-watch it. Peace
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andreasingo

Stunt Coordinator
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Jun 9, 1999
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81
Woody H.
My name is Andreas Ingo like the swedish boxer.
I suggest you rent TCG and give it another try. This is definitely a adult comedy and I think you will understand it better now when you're older.
 

MichaelPe

Screenwriter
Joined
Feb 22, 1999
Messages
1,115
This is one of my all-time favorite comedies. Ahh... I feel like watching it again. :)
Some memorable moments from the film:
Spoiler:"...Eric Roberts in 'Brother Sweet Brother'..."
"...they were Asian... and they were speaking another language... I think it was Asian..."
Karaoke Scene - "...the soothing sounds of Raoul."
The Bathroom Beating
Medieval Times
"...it was my treat."
"...or play Mortal Kombat with a friend in Vietnam!"
"...THX sound that would make George Lucas cream in his pants."
"So we're playing 'prison rules', eh?"

There are so many more...
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MY TOP 20 OF 2001
[Edited last by Michael Perez on October 05, 2001 at 11:42 PM]
 

Jeremiah

Screenwriter
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Jun 22, 2001
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"Look everybody, a little baby was born on this side of the room."
IMO you should give it a shot, you will like it.
 

JasonK

Supporting Actor
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May 10, 2000
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676
Definitely give it another shot! This was mismarketed as a warm buddy comedy, not the darker film it turned out to be. I thought Ben Stiller's direction was spot on. The cameo scene with Owen Wilson is a classic. Jack Black is funny, too.
However, the story behind this film goes that it was going to star Chris Farley, then Chris Elliot, and it would have been a buddy comedy. I'm happy with the movie as is, but can't help but wonder what it would have been like with either of those guys...
 

Brian_J

Second Unit
Joined
Mar 3, 2001
Messages
418
My initial reaction to this was very similar to yours but I have really grown to like this movie and recently added it to my collection. Liar Liar and the original Ace Ventura are still my favorite comedies but this one is right up there. Its much different as well since its not trying to be a laugh a minute. If you understand that going in, you will like it a lot better.
What got me thinking about this movie fondly again was the fact that I kept remembering scenes and laughing out loud without really realizing that those scenes were all from this movie. There really are a lot of classic scenes in this movie and not all of them are Ha Ha funny. Some are amusing in different ways.
Anyone up for Porno Password?
Brian
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Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
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Hi there.
Having read this thread from end to end, I cannot stop thinking that everyone seems to be very obsessed with the marketing. I don't understand that. Why not try and discussing the 'message' of the film?
Correct, the movie is a comedie - or at least it tries to be. But there is two scenes that viewed in connection with each others gives one a completely different perspective on the film.
At one point we see a short glimpse of a little boy being placed in front of a television, because his mother has to go to work or something. That boy is our Cable Guy. This scene becomes very important later on in the movie, when TCG screams 'Kill the babysitter'.
All his identities comes from movies or television-shows. So here is a guy who has been brought up by TV, so you can say TV IS his identity - and his STILL wants to kill the babysitter, ie. his identity.
When I saw TCG in the theater, I was really surprised because I too was expecting an all-out Jim Carrey-fest. But I was very, very positively surprised.
/Michael
 

Bruce Hedtke

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Jul 11, 1999
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In a word. Yes. I thought it was a stylish, witty comedy that went below the surface of humor. It wasn't so much "funny" as it was humorous. And Carrey was quite good.
Bruce
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Nate Anderson

Screenwriter
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Jan 18, 2001
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I dunno...I just love it more everytime I see it.
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Ken_McAlinden

Reviewer
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Feb 20, 2001
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The movie is worth watching just for the following throwaway line from Janeane Garofalo in her cameo as a "wench" at the Medieval Times restaurant:Spoiler:"There were no utensils in medieval times, thus, there are no utensils at Medieval Times. Would you like a refill on that Pepsi?
Regards,
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Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA
[Edited last by Ken_McAlinden on October 09, 2001 at 09:06 AM]
 

WoodyH

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 23, 2000
Messages
228
Okies...yup, looks like I'm definitely going to have to give this one another shot. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions - I'm planning on picking up a TV & DVD player tomorrow (I've been without since a move), so should be able to get to Cable Guy in the next week or so.
Thanks again everyone...hopefully I'll see more in it this time around. :)
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Woody Hanscom
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