# Jim Carrey’s Liar Liar blends manic comedy with a heartfelt story of fatherhood

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/should-have-garnered-the-actor-an-oscar-why-liar-liar-is-my-feelgood-movie/
- Published: 2026-09-28T09:00:29+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-28T09:37:27+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/28/liar-liar-jim-carrey-feelgood-movie
- Topics: Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Film, TV

## Key points

- "Liar Liar" is a masterclass in comedy with Jim Carrey delivering an Oscar-worthy performance combining manic energy and genuine emotion
- The film packs an exceptional number of memorable, rewatchable scenes across its 86-minute runtime
- Comedies rarely receive Academy recognition despite often being more difficult to execute than dramatic films

## Summary

A columnist celebrates Jim Carrey's 1997 comedy "Liar Liar" as their feel-good favourite film, arguing that Carrey's performance deserved Academy recognition. The film follows a lawyer cursed by his son's birthday wish to tell only the truth, with Carrey delivering a manic yet emotionally grounded performance that brings genuine heart to the premise. The writer contends that the film succeeds where similar 90s comedies failed because of Carrey's talent, director Tom Shadyac's skilled guidance, and a clever script that balances physical comedy with themes of fatherhood.

The film is praised for its exceptional density of comedic set pieces rivalling classics like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun," including the iconic scenes of Carrey physically beating himself up whilst struggling to lie about a pen's colour and his heated office tirade. The courtroom climax and airport finale showcase increasingly ambitious setpieces, whilst the end-credits bloopers demonstrate the extraordinary effort Carrey invested in the role. The writer highlights how "Liar Liar" exemplifies what makes a truly rewatchable feel-good film—not through maudlin sentimentality but through expertly crafted comedy that remains funny upon repeated viewings, a quality the Academy often overlooks when awarding comedic performances.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.