The Cable Guy is Jim Carrey at his most spastic, so obviously I can see how that could be a bit off-putting. At the same time, it’s Jim Carrey at his most spastic, and as someone who grew up on Fire Marshall Bill, that really isn’t a problem for me.
The karaoke scene is pretty killer. And then there’s the pick-up game, which to me, isn’t funny because Carrey stomps on Jack Black’s back before shattering so much backboard glass.
It’s funny because no one seems to appreciate how remarkable the dunk was. They all walk off pissed, which is far more surreal than the slow-mo insanity that precedes it.
If for no other reason, The Cable Guy is noteworthy for providing the foundation for the Judd Apatow comedy conglomerate—he co-wrote the screenplay—and introducing Ben Stiller—he directed—to Owen Wilson. Without The Cable Guy there would be no Zoolander.
As much as I like this movie, I will say that I’ve always been horrified by that chicken skin on Jim Carrey’s face. All that grease! Just watching it, my pores start clogging up.
