This viewer was elated this film recently dropped on Hulu and I was able to enjoy revisiting it. This film first came out to mixed reviews. In this viewer's opinion it was partly due to fans of Jim Carrey seeing him portray a role somewhat outside his normal bonkers and looney characters. This is Stiller's second feature film and his best dramedy aside from, "Tropic Thunder" in my opinion. Stiller helms a considerable dramedy / thriller penned by Apatow and Holtz Jr. This film includes an all star comedic cast including Black, Wilson, Garofalo, Odenkirk, Cross, Mann and Segal. At the time of the film's release, many of these stars were at the beginning of their careers. It is Carrey and Broderick that command the screen. This film has exceptional direction, screenplay, cinematography, settings, soundtrack and acting. The plot revolves around a lonely certifiable cable guy, Chip and a naïve conventional man, Steven. Steven moves into his own apartment after a failed marriage proposal to his girlfriend Robin. There he meets Chip who he tries to bribe for free cable. Chip obliges and Steven becomes a "preferred customer". This is when their friendship begins however their definition of friendship varies drastically. Chip takes Steven down a trip on the information superhighway. On top of a giant satellite dish the two bond somewhat and Chip becomes Steven's relationship advisor. Chip successfully rekindles the relationship between Steven and Robin. While this is happening Steven has been distancing himself from Chip as he finds him to be a bit obnoxious and Machiavellian. Chip is constantly committing unbalanced and disturbing acts. Chip forces Steven to continue to their friendship by threatening to jeopardize Steven's and Robin's romance. After one final act that Steven considers vile he severs his friendship with Chip. Now Steven will learn the real power of free cable and Chip's slew of "preferred customers". Chip begins to deconstruct Steven's life by making Robin question Steven's intentions, causing havoc with his boss in the workplace, driving a wedge between his friend Rick, manipulating his family and ultimately landing him in jail. Upon Steven's release he uncovers the truth about Chip with the help of Rick. Chip was raised by a television set and is basically insane. Steven desperately tries to expose Chip for the lunatic that he is. This results in a showdown between Chip, Steven and Robin on top of the satellite. The plot is clever, insightful, vivacious, bombastic, crisp, outlandish, zany and has a cathartic ending. There are many hilarious scenes in this film. This viewer's favorite is when Chip suggest that Steven, Robin and his family play porno password. It is uproarious. There is also sidesplitting dialogue. During a pickup basketball game Chip says, "Let's see what you got white shadow". The main theme of the movie was sort of ahead of it's time. It's about society living vicariously through television, technology and social media. In the end Chip sums up the film as he's dangling above the satellite by saying to Steven, "Don't you understand Steven? Somebody has to kill the babysitter". Throughout the film we see a CourtTV case involving Hollywood twins that results in murder which is symbolic of the world's enthrallment with the Menendez brothers trial. In one of the last scenes we see all of the televisions connected to the satellite go fuzzy as the verdict is about to be read. All the viewer's have a bewildered look on their face however one man leans over and picks up a book. Imagine that? This film is a fun filled wonderful commentary on technology and is a splendid film in it's genre.
Review of The Cable Guy
