I admit I only saw this film recently, many years after its release. Unlike some early reviewers, I wasn't surprised that Jim Carrey could do a dramatic role, as I'd seen a very early film of his, "Doin' Time on Maple Drive," as well as "The Truman Show" and "Man in the Moon." This film is directed by Frank Darabont, who has directed two wonderful films I've seen - The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. Here he channels Frank Capra for a feel-good film that takes place in the 1950s. A blacklisted writer, Peter Appleton, gets drunk, has an accident, and washes up on the beach of a town called Lawson. And he can't remember a thing about who he is. In Lawson, he is mistaken for a World War II soldier believed dead, Luke Trimble, to whom he bears a resemblance. Luke's grief-stricken father Harry (Martin Landau), having not seen his son for some years, accepts Peter as Luke, and Peter believes that's his identity.

The town is excited that Luke is back, and Harry decides to bring back his movie theater, the Majestic, to its former glory with Luke's help. Luke becomes involved with the town and its people; and Luke's old girlfriend Adele (Laurie Holden) is back on the scene. Little does Peter know, but the FBI is looking for him. One of his old films jogs his memory, and Peter realizes that he's not Luke after all. And he's wanted in Los Angeles to testify about whether or not he's a Communist.

This is a beautifully done film, released three months after 9/1/2001 and very relevant when seen today. It's about standing up for what you believe in, the power of love, and what's really important in life. Jim Carrey is marvelous as an ambitious young man who finds his heart in Lawson; Martin Landau gives a magnificent performance as Harry, a man who finds a new lease on life.

The Majestic stands as a symbol of a time when we walked into glamorous theaters to attend movies; when we sat wide-eyed in the dark; when films were more of a family affair; when life was more high touch than high tech; and when a person's principles and integrity were more important than anything else. It's good to be reminded of all of that once in a while.

This is a nice film. A movie that will make you laugh. I smiled most of the movie, and may be that was too long (146 minutes), I enjoyed it all. The story (a man with amnesia is seen as a long lost son in a small town) is not that special, but it has some nice things to avoid the bigger cliches. Jim Carrey is great as he was in The Truman Show. The movie is very well made, and in the end you will have a nice feeling about it.

I often wondered how Carrey would handle a drama and now I know. Totally enjoyed this trip through nostalgiatown as Carrey rejuvenated a town with his infectious personality. Heavily dramatic at times but always with an undercurrent of jollity running through it. I especially appreciated Carrey's dead on comments in the military graveyard.

This DVD came in my last batch from Netflix, and I wondered why I had ever chosen it. Finally on a rainy Saturday, I put it on and was enchanted and moved. Jim Carey was great as were all the cast. The story seemed so very timely in light of recent national events. A land where dissenting voices are labeled unpatriotic and people of intellect and wide-ranging analysis are dismissed as elitist is positively frightening. "The Majestic" shows how we can get back to being our best selves and fulfill our promise as a nation that now seems so bleak to some of us. Caring about each other, our community, that is how we really come alive and make a difference. Building and striving for what is possible and making it safe to express and fulfill dreams gives me hope that we really can get back to where we belong if we'd only stop being so self-righteous, rude, and intolerant. I grew up in the party of Eisenhower but never felt that opposing ideas were unpatriotic. We need to be kinder to each other, recapture the courtesy of a lost era, be thoughtful and intellectually curious to be sure that we come up with the very best ideas and solutions we can in today's world. "The Majestic" is a wonderful reminder of what ordinary people can do when we come together and work to achieve something that uplifts a whole community. I heartily recommend it.

I finally got to see this film tonight, long after its release, and as a big Jim Carrey fan, I was tremendously impressed with - and gratified by - his performance. I love him as a comic, there's no question he's a genius in that department, but I'm always pleased to see him do something 'real' - something where he displays genuine emotion, honest feeling, and in The Majestic, he does this brilliantly. Sure, the film is too long, too 'corny' in spots, blah blah blah, but ultimately the sheer force of Carrey's talent (and his deep commitment to the material) makes it work. Kudos as well to the great Martin Landau, who turns in yet another rich performance, giving his scenes with Carrey true poignancy.

I heard bad things about this movie. I heard it wasn't well written and that Jim Carrey was a bad actor in it etc. DON'T YOU BELIEVE IT! It's not true. This movie is absolutely amazing. Jim Carrey did an excellent job at acting serious. He was 100% serious in this movie. He didn't try any facial expressions or noises he was 100% serious. He did an unforgettable role. He's even more serious than The Truman Show. The story is well put together and well written. Carrey losing his memory after a car crash in the river. The town people think he's someone that went to war and who has come back. Carrey must try to remember who he is. The people they know who he is are looking for him and will cause a lot of trouble if he doesn't find out quick. Fantastic, sweet and dramatic story. I recommend it to anyone. It is to be enjoyed by anyone. 10/10

Jim Carey is a man who literally re-defines himself in the mold of the small-town hero. A recently black-listed Hollywood screenwriter, Carey, is leaving Tinseltown on a feel-sorry-for-yourself drunk drive and winds up washed up (literally and figuratively) on a beach having suffered amnesia. He's taken to a picturesque coastal California town and is mistaken (or is he?) for one of their boys lost in WWII. And what a boy he was--handsome, caring, talented... and engaged to the local Drs. daughter. Carey's character is confused and taken in by the love given by this town for their supposed returning war hero. But is he that man? Will he marry the girl "he" left behind? Will the commie chasers from J. Edgar Hooverland find him and make him face the music? Who is he, really! This is a throw back to the Kapra-Korn of earlier years. This is a movie that unabashedly creates a small town America that never was so polished and gleaming. But despite the cornball-ity of the whole thing, the sincerity of Mr. Carey's acting along with a fine ensemble cast pulls it off. It successfully explores the questions of just who are we, as inviduals and as a society? Can we measure up to the ideals that we hold for ourselves and for our nation? When is expediency--discretion, the better part of valor? Is there a nobility in self-sacrifice and in the angels of our naive and better natures? I like movies (and books and things) that ask questions and explore territory that is often neglected in this fast-cut, MTV film't age. Sure it's corny. More than a bit unrealistic, but the sincerity of script and cast pulls it off. What is the greatest generation? Any one where enough of us face the music... and dance.

This is one of my favorite Jim Carey movies and I have watched it over and over. It really shows his versatility as an actor, not just a comic, and I loved the plot. An old fashioned movie with no bad language, sex or violence. It was extremely well cast and I really liked the old gentleman who lived in the basement of the theater and was so dignified. Every time I see him with his "Dog" I get a lump in my throat. Jim Carey plays such a caring role and his relationship with Harry is so warm and believable.The way he gets the town to rally around the Majestic is fun and wonderful. The woman who plays his lady-friend is beautiful and I wish I could see her in other movies. One of my favorite all time films.

With a very slow-paced and a lengthy, this movie will simply not be enjoying by everyone, but to me this is - Very Good Movie.

Set in 1950's, a screen writer Peter Appleton (Jim Carry) accused of being a communize and at the same time met with car accident which lead him no memory of himself before being mistaken as the long lost son of a man in the small town.

The story follows Jim and how he built relationship with the town (He now thought that he is Luke, a local soldier missing 9 years ago in the wars) and his dad and girlfriend to rebuilt The Majestic, the movie theater; while the police are trying to hunt him as thought he was communize fugitive.

This movie Jim makes it damn good and damn convincing as you have seen him in The Truman Show that you wouldn't see any comedy side of him in here. Overall the movie has a great storyline and great acting which make it worthwhile to watch.

Recommendation: YES! Watch It.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Grade: B)

I have to begin by saying I like Jim Carrey; not a superfan but not too critical too. His comedic roles are almost always brilliant (Mask, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty are among my favorites) but he also established himself as a pretty good dramatic actor with The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. And it's really a mystery to me how could The Majestic be lost in between those great dramatic performances of his.

You could say this movie is too long, running at around 2,5 hours, but so what? Remember who is the director and everything will fall into place. Frank Darabont could not have made a simple story and no simple story lasts a minute. It wraps up every storyline, and every character grows out of his/her shell by the end of the movie. It is a touching, kind and I should say very "old hollywood" story (considering that the plot takes place in the 1950s), not in the way of telling a story but in the way of what is being shown to us. A man who reevaluates everything he has known before by living a life of another man and by doing so unintentionally changing himself into a better human being - that's the story I would want to see. And I would want you all go and see it.

This movie kinda reminds me why we should cherish this format. Made by an awesome director, with his regular stalwarts, with little to no agenda. It's absolutely magical tbh.

This is an entertaining film with a lot to offer and a lot to like. It's full of gimmicks and 1950s small town caricatures that are hard not to like. Jim Carrey is great. Turns out, he's excellent as a serious as well as comedic actor. Martin Landau: Always fuses with his role to delight. Laurie Holden was the biggest surprise for me. She is fresh to the screen (to my eye anyway) and played the 'girl next door' with more chutzpah and character than I'd ever seen given to such a complementary role. She's been launched with this film.

Some reviews may pummel the film for its playful flaws. "Stranger on the Shore" being written in 1962 vs its 55ish setting, for example ... or the technical aspects of how a car floats from a river to the ocean to the shore... All trivia. None of it matters opposite the magic of the story and the romance. Its only noteworthy flaw is its pacing. 2.5 hours is too long for this kind of story, though my wife and I argued all the way home about which parts were disposable. It wandered (much like this comment :-) The editing needed to be tightened up 'somewhere'. The editor's view is best defended with words from Amadeus (Mozart's exchange with Emperor Joseph). Emp Joseph said, "Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect." To which Mozart replies, "Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?"

It's thoroughly original and yet a throwback to simpler times that seemed so familiar (to the baby-boomer I am). If you love the movies in general, you'll likely find this one to be a charmer. Tears will come. 7 /10.

By the end of this movie you will love the movies, love America, and love Jim Carrey. Every other movie staring Jim Carrey, no matter how serious, you could still see a little bit of Ace Ventura coming out. In this movie, it is a COMPLETE 180 degree performance. There were no outrageous facial expressions, gestures or body movements. It was just him, and he's awesome!

The story was good too, of course. Peter Appleton (Jim) is a movie writer during the time of the communist witch-hunt and he gets black-listed, loses his memory and winds-up in this town in which he looks like a guy that was lost in the war. He adopts this life because he doesn't know any better and he falls in love there. When he realizes who he is and is called to testify on his own behalf, he realizes that he needs to stand up against the committee because, "if a bully rises up, it's up to us all to beat them back down, no matter the cost."

"Michael Sloane's script is an atavistic reiteration of American ideals espoused by Frank Capra's films, decent small-town folks represent the traditional American values. Carrey plays Peter Appleton, an up-and-coming Hollywood screenwriter in 1951, who falls prey to the fervent McCarthyism (solely because in his college years, he once attended an anti-war Communist gathering trying to impress a girl), temporarily loses his memory in a road accident but fortuitously fetches up in the town of Lawson, California. Due to his striking resemblance to Luke Trimble, the long-lost son of local cinema owner Harry Trimble (Landau) who goes MIA during WWII, Peter is mistaken as Luke by the townsfolk. Assuming his new identity with a tinge of befuddlement, Peter basks in the "miraculous return of Luke" glory, something this sleepy town desperately needs because it has lost many sons for its country. He also connects romantically with Luke's fiancée Adele (Holden), and help Henry reopen his cinema palace 'the Majestic'."

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I never thought of Jim Carrey as a romantic actor, but I fell in love with him after seeing 'The Majestic,' I wish he would make more of this kind of movie. Laurie Holden was perfect as his love interest. I had not seen her before this, but enjoyed her later in 'Bailey's Billions' with Dean Cain. I do enjoy films with an historical background, and I think 'The Majestic' introduces a new generation to the Hollywood Blacklist and the army-McCarthy hearings, which were aired on live TV when they were happening. I used to come home from school and follow all the principals at the time. Most folks don't know that the late Robert Kennedy was one of the attorneys working with Senator Joe McCarthy before McCarthy went too far in his accusations. Another thing I loved about this movie was the background music. I would like to have a soundtrack of it. I own the DVD of this movie and suggest you watch this movie if you get a chance. If you like Jim Carrey playing nutty characters, you might be disappointed. However, if you would like to see a warm, romantic Jim Carrey, you will love 'The Majestic.'

There are a few distinct, primary issues with this film.

The first thing is its attempt to create a sort of modern day fairy tale with an atmosphere bound in high emotion, drama and something of an epic frame, the film being so long over 2hours30min, and quite eventful. The story and chief concept were very interesting, and there is a lot of philosophy and idea in them, but the film never quite takes advantage of the platform it makes for itself and the emotional intensity feels rather constructed than genuine. Towards the end especially, it's just pushed down our throats too much and doesn't feel natural, or credible, and the most essential quality of emotion in cinema is credibility.

Another thing about it is its over-the-top political/philosophical message, the whole bit about the legal system; that element seems overdone too, a bit of a sidetrack to the plot, and not necessarily inevitable.

There's a taste of unfinished business, mismanaged tension, misused potential for emotion, and good plot elements that do not resolve into the anticipated climax. But it's a fine story, a fairly pleasant film to watch with good values, a certain essential candor, it is quite well played out considering the difficult premise, and then there's Jim Carey always there as the lead to help make any film more believable and endearing.

6.5 or 7/10.

This movie is an example of historical revisionism at its worst. It has Jim Carrey, who has moved from being offensively irritating as Ace Ventura to being equally irritating in his good ol' boy straight roles, playing the innocent victim of a HUAC witch hunt at the height of the McCarthyite hysteria in the US. Lacking the courage of its convictions (and undoubtedly with an eye to increased box office sales) Carrey's character is shown to have been unfairly harassed because instead of being a communist he was simply a 'horny young man' following a lustful trail to a meeting at which he was unaware of the political content. Even today it seems that we can't have a hero in an American movie who is shown to have had any hint of a communist link in their past. The inhabitants of the town of Lawson where Carrey finds himself after his accident are all the sorts of wonderful people that we are supposed to believe are the real spirit of America. Supporters of the constitution one and all. Defenders of liberty and free speech. Funnily enough they seem to have been rather short on the ground during the McCarthy era and this is at the heart of the historical revisionism that I find most offensive in this movie. For me the biggest joke though (and presumably unintentional) are the scenes where Carrey as the scriptwriter has to endure meetings where his scripts are radically altered by greedy studio executives to make them more marketable. "There won't be dry eye in the house" says one of them after suggesting a cynically saccharine manipulation of one of the scripts. The irony of all this is that the script for this movie seems to have been written by just such a committee.

Having seen the mediocre rating this film has garnered on here I began to watch it expecting nothing more than an average film and a forgettable way to spend a couple of hours on a Friday night, how wrong was I! What I ended up with was an absolute gem of a film, from the quietly emotional performance of Martin Landau to the very restrained yet brilliant portrayal offered by Jim Carrey, every actor was cast to perfection and as the film moves gently along it takes you on an ultimately uplifting journey. I would recommend this film to anyone who is bored of the constant stream of action blockbusters or who has never seen Jim Carrey do anything other than gurn his way through a film, if only more of his performances were laced with the kind of down to earth humanity he shows in this picture our perception of him as an actor would be quite different, my only complaint is that it took me 8 years to find this film but all good things come to those who wait I suppose:-) Do yourselves a favour, find a copy of this film, open a bottle of wine and sit back with someone you care about and just let it wash over you like a soft breeze on a summers day.

I must say I wasn't in a hurry to see this movie for fear that Jim Carey would be over the top in it, but just the opposite. If anything, Jim Carey was very understated. This movie was very slow and quiet, everything that was needed to develop the characters and give you time to get to know and care what happens to them. A welcome change of pace. Very Capraesque.