There’s Something About Mary

Filed Under: Film, Reviews | Article Tags : DVD review

By: The Dweeb

October 2002

DVD Features

Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround

Original theatrical Trailer,
Outtakes,
Running Commentary by the Farrelly Brothers,
Music Video,
Karaoke Music Video

Theatrical release:1998
DVD released on 8/03/1999 by 20th Century Fox
Running time of 118 minutes

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Chris Elliot, Lee Evans

Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Plot: Thirteen years after a humiliating high-school episode of prom datus interuptus, angst-driven Ted is still crazy in love with Mary. Hoping for a second chance at wooing the girl of his dreams, he hires sleazy private dick Pat Healy to track her down. However, after taking one look at Mary, Healy decides he wants her for himself. Before long, Mary’s suitors are engaged in a “hair-raising” battle for her affections, and soon, the fur really flies right out the window!

Yeah you could say that. This is another one of those strange laugh riots from the Farelley fun house, no one else could come up with such a twisted film. This flick is filled with many memorable moments that will either make you cringe or fall off the chair laughing, usually at the same time. There just isn’t a simple way to describe it, there’s just “something” about it, hence the title. We never do figure out what this fascination with Mary (Cameron Diaz) is.

This film is probably what defined what kind of actor Ben stiller would be from that day on. Anytime I see him in another film, I am reminded of his Ted character. He may have pigeon holed himself this way, but I think this acting style is how I like him best. Ted is the only sane guy in this entire film, surrounding himself with lunatics. He seems to have the worst luck, the guy who gets screwed even though he’s on the straight and narrow. I feel sorry for the guy, and I can identify with Ted. The zipper scene has to be the best, ouch! “Frank and Beans! Frank and Beans!”

The rest of the cast is great too, everyone is just nuts. The best has to be Woogie (Chris Elliot) at the end of the film, where he just goes all rashy nutty on Mary. “Have you ever had a whitehead on your eyeball, Mary?” Pat Healy (Matt Dillon), what an insensitive scum bag, he’s great! “Those goofy bastards are about the best thing I’ve got going.” His best scene is where he’s stiff arming all the retarded people playing football.

The overall DVD package is ok for a movie of this nature. I think this was the first DVD I ever owned. The menu’s seem kind of primitive by today’s standards, but it still has lots of good extras on it. It includes all the typical movie promo material, trailers, out takes, and a music video, a decent commentary track. The karaoke sing along seems kind of pointless though. Overall I like this film, I don’t think it will get old with repeated viewings, it’s got this certain kind of unexplainable charm to it.