"No, but I'll sure try."
Peter is a new screenwriter in Hollywood. His first film "Sand Pirates of the Sahara" is in theaters and he is dating the leading lady. Life is good, until he is named as a communist: he is fired from the studio, dumped by his girlfriend, and facing a court date with the "Committee for American Activities (check name)." That night, he gets drunk and has an accident. When the car falls into the river, he gets knocked out and is swept down the river.
When he wakes up, he has no memories. He is taken to the small town of Lawson, where the people mistake him for one of their own, Luke Trimble. Luke has been missing since the WWII (9 years ago), and was presumed dead. Lawson gave a great deal to the war, losing most of their young men in combat. Every window has a plaque honoring the memory of a lost son. Luke / Peter's return brings hope to the town.
Luke's father, Harry (Landau), embraces the return of his "son" and decides to fix up their movie theater. As the town starts to come alive again, Peter starts a relationship with Luke's girlfriend Adele (Holden) and finds a place in the town. What will happen if his memory comes back?
I first saw this film at the theater in 2001. My friends and I went to a refurbished old theater, a single theater with the screen on a raised platform covered by curtains until the show started. It felt like the perfect place to watch this film... sitting in an old theater, watching as the people try to fix up "The Majestic."
Until reaching Lawson, the film is slow paced and doesn't really work... yes it is necessary to set up the rest of the story, but it could have been done better. The cast is good, and the chemistry works. It is a good film, although it received mixed reviews.
The Majestic (2001) 152 minutes
Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Jim Carrey as Peter / Luke Trimble
Laurie Holden as Adele Stanton
Martin Landau as Harry Trimble
David Ogden Stiers as Doc Stanton
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