The Majestic

Year:	2001
Running Time:	152 minutes
Aspect Ratio:	1.85:1 (XWide)
Certificate:	– Parental guidance
Subtitles:	The level of subtitling in this film is unknown to WSC
Directed by	Unknown
Starring:	Unknown

Review: Isn't everyone tired of the old truism "they don't make them like they used to"? What makes this declaration even more difficult to stomach is that when they DO make them like they used to, everyone either ignores it or bashes it with heavy-handed criticism. "The Majestic" is a gloriously old fashioned hymn to the feel-good 1940's charm of such perennial favourites as "Mr Smith Goes to Washington", "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mrs Minniver". It is a film that revels in the possibility of community, triumph over the odds and a sense of small town Americana that has been pretty much neglected in the advent of big-budget Hollywood massacre-a-thons. Jim Carrey plays Peter Appleton, an up-and-coming Hollywood screenwriter who, having been accused by the government of Communist leanings, escapes Tinseltown, accidentally crashes his car, and ends up swept onto a beach with no idea who he is or where he came from. In the nearby small town, he is mistaken for the war-hero son of one of the residents, who had presumed dead for many years. Appleton shakily begins to rebuild his life, primarily by focusing on a project to rebuild the faded glory of the town's cinema - The Majestic. However, as things begin to fall into place, Appleton's real life begins catching up with him... "The Majestic" is a really, really good film. Ably directed by "Shawshank" helmer Frank Darabont, the story slowly weaves its spell, benefiting enormously by the natural charm of Carrey (playing it straight) and his chemistry with Landau. The warmth of the film is matched only by its message - that a man can make a difference, that togetherness is more powerful than individualism, and that cinema has an unequalled power to cross barriers, to move and entertain. "The Majestic" somehow managed to bypass most cinemas, presumably due to the fact that there's not many explosions. However, this is a work that deserves to be seen, if only for the opportunity to witness the Golden Age of Hollywood brought back to the screen with flair, care and respect. It's a wonderful film...