With this sudden surge of Jim Carrey films
that have been released or to be released in the near future, I thought it
might be a good idea to list my favourite five Jim Carrey Roles. Jim Carrey is
known by the majority as someone who does plenty of slapstick comedies, wins
more than his fair share of MTV awards and nothing more. It may even surprise a
few out there that Jim Carrey has received four Golden Globe nominations, winning
twice, and was robbed (in my opinion) for an Oscar nod on both occasions, if
not three times.
“If
I'm not back in five minutes... just wait longer.”
 |
| Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura 1993 (d. Tom Shadyac) |
At number five I have Jim Carrey’s breakout
role: Ace Ventura. This comedic role was so good because of how original Ace
was. Jim Carrey said in his interview on Inside
the Actor’s Studio that he based Ace on a smart bird, his mannerisms and
expressions make for some truly hysterical comedy. To make a Jim Carrey list I
believe this role really has to be on it. If Carrey hadn’t managed to impress
audiences with this role, it is a wonder what would have happened up until now.
His career would not be as successful and it’s thanks to the risk of the film
makers of this film that we have the Jim Carrey we have today.
“If
I know Mary as well as I think I do, she'll invite us right in for tea and
strumpets.”
 |
| Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels as Harry & Lloyd 1994 (d. The Farrelly Brothers) |
Number four is The Farrelly Brothers’ Dumb and Dumber. Carrey managed to
convey the idiocy of the role without isolating Lloyd Christmas from the
audience. Plenty of times has a totally idiotic character completely missed the
mark due to the fact that we can’t relate to them. The main bulk of the comedy
of the film comes from the perfect chemistry that Carrey and Jeff Daniels have
on screen. A completely plausible friendship and it made from how convincingly
the two portray these two bumbling morons.
“Somebody
help me, I'm being spontaneous!”
 |
| Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank 1998 (d. Peter Weir) |
Carrey’s first dive into a dramatic role
was in 1998 with The Truman Show. Carrey won a Golden Globe for this film and
it was well deserved. Not only does Carrey have a knack for finding original
stories but his performance as Truman Burbank is absolutely heart breaking in
places. Carrey does a completely plausible job of showing a man who goes on a
journey of self-discovery like no person has ever gone on in reality. It’s absolutely
amazing to watch and made Carrey into a sought after actor for dramatic roles.
“Can
you hear me? I don't want this anymore! I want to call it off!”
 |
| Jim Carrey as Joel Barish 2004 (d. Michel Godrey) |
“You
don't know the real me.”
 |
| Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman 1999 (d. Milos Forman) |
Now you must remember that this is a list
of my own opinion so the number one spot is what my all-time favourite Jim Carrey role is. For me it still has to be
his portrayal of Andy Kaufman in 1999’s Man
on the Moon. Not only did Carrey convincingly portray the late song and
dance man but Carrey embodied him. Carrey was Kaufman. To be able to become the
character, to be able to embrace the complete soul of someone who is real, and
do it with absolute conviction is something that is still rare among actors.
Carrey was robbed of an Oscar for this performance and he would have made
Kaufman himself proud.
I hope you enjoyed the list and I would
like to give quick honourable mentions to his roles in The Mask, Liar Liar and his performance as Fire Marshal Bill on In Living Color
as they just missed being featured on this list.
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