03/10/06 Fun With Dick And Jane

Fun With Dick And Jane (2005), directed by Dean Parisot

watched w/ Leslie & Joel; theater (Blue Ridge Cinema, Raleigh, NC)

An update on the 1977 comedy of the same name (which I never saw), this film goes on to prove the staying power of all that is Hollywood. Yes, I know frequently I watch and on this website comment about movies that are simply remakes or sequels to something already produced into cinema. However, being of a generation X, or Y, or "tweeners"...whatever the hell you want to call us; maybe it's fitting that I blindly go into a movie considering that it may be fresh and new, and disregarding the original in context. Aw, forget it...this film was entertaining. I know fully that Jim Carrey can sometimes be too Jim Carrey-ish, but this is a vehicle that allows him to be himself. It's a story that is a bit too comical to be real, but it's done in a tender sort of way. Carrey & Tea Leoni play the title yuppie characters, who must battle Dick's job loss & their family's financial decline amidst keeping up the appearances of everyday yuppie life. This leads them to the depths of becoming common criminals, robbing & thieving. Some scenes were very funny, including Dick stealing sod in the night like a masked murderer to replace his lawn, or both of them dressed in all black-ninja style w/ Frampton-Comes-Alive voice modulators, imitating Styx's "Mr. Roboto." The son speaking fluent Spanish was funny, but goes furthermore to prove that Dick & Jane are bad parents who leave it up to their housekeeper to raise him, rather than communicate with him . Another upsetting fact is that their life of high crime seemingly goes unpunished in the moral world, as they are seen as modern day Robin Hood's giving back after stealing from stingy magnate Alec Baldwin. Set that aside, and it's a funny flick. Look for the hilarious Enron send-up at the closing credits.

3 out of 5 stars