Liar Liar (1997)

The written companion

Draft companion · Awaiting editorial review

Liar Liar: Jim Carrey Gives Matt His Kind of Comedy

Matt describes himself as picky about comedy. Jim Carrey is one of the performers who has consistently reached him, and Liar Liar gives him a film he wanted the group to choose even before it became someone else's pick.

The pleasure is partly physical and partly familiar. The exaggerated expressions, escalating embarrassment, and quotable moments make the film easy for him to revisit. A scene does not lose its appeal simply because he knows what is coming.

The others also find plenty to enjoy in Carrey's performance, giving the conversation a shared comic starting point rather than a major dispute. The affectionate talk about favorite bits shows how a comedy can become something carried around in everyday references long after the plot has faded.

Matt gives it eight and a half out of ten. The number is positive without being the point of the episode. What makes his response persuasive is that the film still makes him want to quote it, describe it, and watch it again.

Is Liar Liar strongest when Carrey is physically out of control, or when the family story gives that energy a direction? Which comic moment still works even when you know it by heart?

Watch their Liar Liar discussion ↗

Based on auto-generated captions. Matt's score retains the episode's original ten-point scale. The full discussion includes scene spoilers.