Liar Liar
Liar Liar is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur, starring Jim Carrey as Fletcher Reede, a fast-talking lawyer and habitual liar whose life unravels when he becomes unable to lie for 24 hours following a birthday wish from his young son, Max, played by Justin Cooper.[1][2] The film, produced by Imagine Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, follows Reede's chaotic attempts to navigate a high-stakes court case and mend his strained relationships with his ex-wife Audrey (Maura Tierney) and son while compelled to speak the truth, blending slapstick humor with themes of personal growth and family reconciliation.[1][3] Released on March 21, 1997, with a runtime of 86 minutes and rated PG-13, Liar Liar features supporting performances by Cary Elwes as Audrey's fiancé Jerry, Jennifer Tilly as Reede's colleague Miranda, and Amanda Donohoe as his boss Dana Appleton, and it grossed $181.4 million in the United States and $302.7 million worldwide against a $45 million budget, becoming one of the year's top commercial successes.[2][1][4] Critically, the film received an 83% approval rating on the Tomatometer from Rotten Tomatoes based on 77 reviews (as of 2024), praised for Carrey's exuberant physical comedy and manic energy that elevates the premise, though some noted the plot's simplicity; it also holds a 6.9/10 average rating on IMDb from over 400,000 user votes (as of 2024) and a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.[2][3][1] Roger Ebert awarded it three out of four stars, highlighting its appeal as a family-friendly comedy that balances broad humor for children with subtle adult innuendo, marking a rebound for Carrey after the darker The Cable Guy (1996).[3]Narrative
Plot
Fletcher Reede is a highly successful but chronically dishonest attorney in Los Angeles, whose compulsive lying extends to his professional dealings with clients and colleagues as well as his personal life with his ex-wife Audrey and their young son Max. Often prioritizing his career over family obligations, Fletcher repeatedly disappoints Max, most notably by missing his son's birthday party to spend time with his girlfriend. Heartbroken, Max makes a magical birthday wish that his father will be unable to tell a single lie for the next 24 hours, a wish that unexpectedly comes true the following day.[5][3] The curse's effects become apparent to Fletcher almost immediately during a flight, where he is physically unable to compliment an in-flight movie he despises, blurting out the truth instead and baffling the flight attendant.[3] At his law firm, further mishaps ensue as he admits to a major professional blunder during a meeting with his boss, undermining his reputation and causing office turmoil.[3] These incidents compound as Fletcher prepares for a high-stakes divorce case representing client Samantha Cole, who seeks to invalidate her prenuptial agreement to secure a substantial settlement from her wealthy husband by claiming she signed it as a minor.[5] In the courtroom climax, Fletcher's inability to lie forces him into uncharacteristic candor; he repeatedly slams his head on the table in frustration when attempting to deceive, declares his client's case "a pile of crap" instead of strong, and cross-examines witnesses with brutal honesty that exposes uncomfortable truths about the marriage.[3] Despite the honesty revealing Samantha's own infidelities and deceptions, Fletcher ultimately prevails by proving she was underage (17) when signing the prenup, rendering it void and awarding her half of her husband's assets.[5] Despite the chaos, his boss congratulates him on the victory and offers a partnership, though Fletcher initially feels conflicted.[5] Desperate to make amends, Fletcher learns that Audrey, frustrated with his lies, plans to move with Max to Boston to live with her new boyfriend. Racing to the airport, he confronts them at the gate, where the curse compels him to confess his deep love for his family and his past failures without reservation, leading to an emotional reconciliation.[5] As the 24-hour period ends at midnight, Fletcher reaffirms his commitment to honesty, and in the film's resolution, he is shown a year later joyfully playing with Max at a park, having rebuilt his family bonds and embraced a more truthful life.[3]Cast
Jim Carrey leads the cast as Fletcher Reede, a successful but dishonest lawyer and father whose inability to lie after his son's birthday wish upends his life, showcasing Carrey's renowned physical comedy through exaggerated gestures and chaotic antics in high-stakes scenes.[2] Maura Tierney portrays Audrey Reede, Fletcher's estranged wife struggling with his deceptions, marking Tierney's prominent breakthrough in feature films following television work. Justin Cooper plays Max Reede, the young son whose innocent wish propels the story, in one of Cooper's early roles after limited television appearances on shows like General Hospital and ER.[6] The supporting ensemble includes several notable performers in key roles that highlight the film's satirical take on legal and personal ethics.| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cary Elwes | Jerry | Audrey's dependable new boyfriend, providing contrast to Fletcher's unreliability.[7] |
| Jennifer Tilly | Samantha Cole | A cunning client seeking to cover up an affair in court, adding comedic tension to Fletcher's caseload.[8] |
| Swoosie Kurtz | Dana Appleton | Opposing counsel in the Samantha Cole divorce case, engaging in courtroom confrontations with Fletcher.[9] |
| Amanda Donohoe | Miranda | The ambitious and cutthroat senior partner at Fletcher's firm, embodying corporate ruthlessness.[10] |
| Mitchell Ryan | Mr. Allan | Managing partner at Fletcher's law firm, who oversees the team and evaluates Fletcher's performance.[7] |
| Anne Haney | Greta | The firm's long-suffering secretary, who endures the office chaos with dry wit.[11] |
| Randall "Tex" Cobb | Skull | An imposing courtroom defendant and intimidator, whose brief but memorable presence amplifies the film's physical humor.[12] |
Production
Development
The screenplay for Liar Liar was written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur in the early 1990s, drawing from Guay's personal fascination with the mechanics of lying, which he sketched out on a napkin as the concept of a character compelled to tell the truth for a day.[15] Initially pitched around 1990, the script faced widespread rejections from studios across Hollywood, with the writers' representatives warning that continued promotion was damaging their careers, possibly due to similarities with the lying character from Saturday Night Live's sketches.[15] The project found a home at Imagine Entertainment following a 1994 pitch meeting with executive David Friendly, where Brian Grazer greenlit it based on a concise two-sentence logline, with Grazer serving as producer.[15] Tom Shadyac was hired to direct, selected for his recent success with the physical comedy hit Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), which aligned with the film's comedic tone.[15] Early casting considerations for the lead role of Fletcher Reede, a dishonest lawyer, included approaches to Tom Hanks and Steve Martin, who were envisioned for a more subtle take; Hugh Grant was attached but departed amid a personal scandal before Jim Carrey ultimately signed on.[15][16] The production budget was established at $45 million, reflecting Carrey's rising star power and the demands of the high-concept comedy.[17] Creative decisions emphasized physical comedy to suit Carrey's improvisational strengths, prioritizing visual gags and slapstick over dialogue-driven humor, while the story was set in Los Angeles to satirize the cutthroat world of urban legal practice and work-life imbalances.[15]Filming
Principal photography for Liar Liar commenced on July 8, 1996, and wrapped on October 18, 1996, with the majority of filming occurring in and around Los Angeles, California.[18] Filming utilized several iconic Los Angeles sites, including the Los Angeles International Airport for the film's opening airplane sequence, Los Angeles City Hall standing in for courtroom exteriors and interiors, and the Warner Bros. Studios backlot in Burbank for constructed sets depicting Fletcher Reede's law office and additional courtroom scenes. The Reede family residence was shot at a private home on 1004 Highland Avenue in South Pasadena, while other interiors, such as Miranda's upscale apartment, were captured at 1999 Avenue of the Stars in Century City.[18][19][20] The production was lensed on 35mm film using Panavision cameras to capture the vibrant, high-energy visuals suited to the comedy genre. Practical effects dominated the shoot, particularly in sequences highlighting Jim Carrey's physical comedy, such as the bathroom meltdown scene where Carrey performed self-inflicted impacts—like head-banging against the sink and wall—without digital augmentation to emphasize authentic slapstick timing and reactions.[21] On-set challenges included adhering to child labor regulations for young actor Justin Cooper, who portrayed Max Reede, which limited his daily hours and required careful scheduling around school and rest periods. Carrey's extensive improvisation, including ad-libbed lines and physical bits in scenes like the elevator encounter and airport scramble, often extended shooting days but added spontaneity that director Tom Shadyac incorporated into the final cut; no significant delays or budget overruns were reported during principal photography.[22][15][21] Post-production proceeded efficiently, with editing by Don Zimmerman completed by late 1996 to meet the March 1997 release schedule. The original score, composed by John Debney, featured whimsical orchestral cues with playful percussion and strings to underscore the film's humorous tone and emotional family dynamics.[7]Reception
Box office
Liar Liar was released on March 21, 1997, and grossed $31.4 million in its opening weekend across 2,845 theaters, marking the largest March debut in box office history at the time and surpassing the previous record set by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ($25.4 million in 1990).[23][4] The film outperformed concurrent releases, including Selena, which earned $11 million in its opening weekend despite sharing the same release date.[24] It maintained the number-one position at the North American box office for two consecutive weeks, accumulating $74.3 million by the end of March.[25] The film ultimately earned $181.4 million in the United States and Canada, contributing to a worldwide total of $302.7 million against a $45 million production budget, yielding a return on investment of approximately 6.7 times the budget.[4][26] International markets accounted for $121.3 million of the gross.[4] This performance ranked Liar Liar as the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1997 domestically, behind Titanic, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Men in Black.[27] Several factors contributed to its commercial success, including its March release timing, which capitalized on a post-Oscars period of relatively lighter competition following the Academy Awards on March 24.[23] The film's PG-13 rating and family-oriented humor appealed to broad audiences, fostering strong word-of-mouth that supported its impressive theatrical legs of 5.77 times the opening weekend gross.[4][28]Critical response
Upon its release, Liar Liar received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its energetic comedy and Jim Carrey's lead performance while noting some formulaic elements in the storyline. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 83% approval rating based on 63 reviews, with an average score of 6.9/10.[2] Metacritic assigns it a score of 70 out of 100, based on 20 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[29] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an A− grade, reflecting strong immediate appeal.[30] Roger Ebert awarded the film three out of four stars, commending Carrey's "manic comic energy" and the way it balances slapstick humor with heartfelt family themes, particularly the protagonist's redemption as a father.[3] Variety highlighted the film's slapstick timing and Carrey's physical comedy, describing it as a "surefire commercial comedy" that effectively mixes broad laughs for children with lightly lewd elements for adults, though noting the supporting cast, including Maura Tierney and Justin Cooper, was relegated to secondary roles.[31] The overall critical consensus emphasized the movie's heartwarming blend of sentiment and comedy, crediting director Tom Shadyac for channeling Carrey's exuberance into a cohesive family-oriented vehicle.[2] Some critics pointed to the plot's formulaic nature and heavy reliance on Carrey's antics as drawbacks. Janet Maslin of The New York Times called it a "formulaic Hollywood comedy" elevated by Carrey's "uproarious one-man free-for-all," but critiqued the overly sentimental resolution and underutilization of the ensemble, such as Cary Elwes in a caricatured supporting part.[32] In 1997, the film was viewed as a high point in Carrey's comedic career, building on successes like Dumb and Dumber (1994) and sharing stylistic similarities with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) in its over-the-top physical humor.[33]Legacy
Accolades
Liar Liar garnered recognition primarily for Jim Carrey's lead performance across several award ceremonies in 1998, though it received no Academy Award nominations despite its commercial success. At the 55th Golden Globe Awards, Jim Carrey was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, ultimately losing to Jack Nicholson for As Good as It Gets.[34] The film and its star also fared well at youth-oriented and comedic awards shows. Carrey won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance, while Liar Liar earned a nomination for Best Movie.[35] At the Kids' Choice Awards, the film was nominated for Favorite Movie.[35] Additional honors included a win at the People's Choice Awards for Favorite Motion Picture – Comedy.[35] For technical achievements, composer John Debney received the ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films for the score.[35]| Award Ceremony | Year | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe Awards | 1998 | Best Actor – Musical or Comedy | Jim Carrey | Nominated |
| MTV Movie Awards | 1998 | Best Comedic Performance | Jim Carrey | Won |
| MTV Movie Awards | 1998 | Best Movie | Liar Liar | Nominated |
| Kids' Choice Awards | 1998 | Favorite Movie | Liar Liar | Nominated |
| People's Choice Awards | 1998 | Favorite Comedy Motion Picture | Liar Liar | Won |
| ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards | 1998 | Top Box Office Films | John Debney | Won |