This isn't to say that the film doesn't contain those moments, but the audience was treated to a darker film. I wouldn't put "The Cable Guy" on a list of underrated classics (it still has some clunky moments), I would call it a misunderstood film. Director Ben Stiller lampoons our obsession with television and entertainment in general, going to absurd lengths in the process (especially with the interest in the Sweet court case). It can also be seen as a parody of the "opposites attract" buddy movies, but with a train wreck of a conclusion for the relationship.
Jim Carrey was not the original choice for the role, but it's difficult to imagine anyone else filling those shoes. Matthew Broderick provides the perfect, straight-laced foil in the film while the background is populated with a lot of familiar faces including the cast of The Ben Stiller Show (although they aren't given much to do). The evening at the Medieval Times and the karaoke party stand as the highlights of the film. Unfortunately the build up of insanity is difficult to maintain, thus leading to an unsatisfactory ending.
Kudos to the film for a couple of its predictions, including the fact that your internet, television and phone would someday come through cable and that we would have the ability to play video games online.
Because of the appearance on cable, I had seen "The Cable Guy" in bits and pieces, just not in its entirety. Not necessarily a great film, but one worth going back to re-examine.
Rating: 7/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 75
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