The Majestic

Clem Dominguez

“The Majestic” is about a Hollywood screenwriter blacklisted as a

Communist. Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is caught up in the anti-Communist

witch-hunt of the early 1950s. The House Committee on Un-American

Activities has labeled him a Communist or Red as they used to say.

Because of pressure from the government his studio suspends his contract

and halts production of his movie.

Distraught, Peter goes for a long drive in his convertible. After an

exciting car crash scene he wakes up on the beach with a dog licking his

face and a bad case of amnesia. A kindly old man, James Whitmore, takes

him back to a small town. You know the kind that only lives in people’s

imaginations. Peter is mistaken for Luke, who was believed killed in

WWII, by Luke’s father Trimble (Martin Landau).

Since he can’t remember anything, he doesn’t know what to think. As

the town embraces him and he is reacquainted with Luke’s girlfriend Adele

(Laurie Holden), he begins to believe he might be Luke.

The movie starts off slowly, and that’s being very kind. Between the

music and the pace I was almost headed out the door. But all of a sudden

I became caught up in the story.

There is a feel-good quality about this movie. It’s a little hokey in

spots and sentimental, yet lovable.Carey again takes a risky role as he

did in “The Truman Show.” And again he will no doubt be shunned at Oscar

time. Holden was great as the hometown girlfriend and the many character

actors you’ll recognize really helped make the movie shine.

Toward the end the theme of the movie changes to an exploration of

what freedom of expression in America really means and how we must stand

up for those ideals. I would definitely go see this movie. Be patient at

the outset and trust me you will be rewarded. Some people may think I’ve

lost it on this one but I give it a B+.

* CLEM DOMINGUEZ, 57, is an aspiring screenwriter and film fanatic.