The Majestic

The Majestic can be seen as a celebration of the golden era of American cinema and the studio system of the 1950s, as well as a time when the main attraction and cultural entertainment in American small towns was the movie theater, where first dates, meetings between friends, and community social life took place. The screenplay with its typical happy ending imitates classic dramas from the 1940s and 1950s, highlighting the characteristic musical accompaniment and casting. Jim Carrey is excellent and restrained compared to his wild antics in the films that made him famous. On another level, Darabont's film celebrates traditional family values and, above all, an idealized concept of community. While this corresponds to the Hollywood approach mentioned above, from today's perspective, the film becomes less believable. The story, where the whole town helps to restore the old, once luxurious theater building and spontaneously sides with the screenwriter accused of anti-American activities in the famous McCarthy's campaign against hidden communists, which cost thousands of people their positions and livelihood, is simply out of this world. Overall impression: 85%. (18.01.2010)

An old-fashioned touching film about good people and hard but right decisions. Jim Carrey is superb as both the brooding man with no memory and the timid screenwriter who must fight for his life. Despite the naive script, Frank Darabont convincingly builds a functional world and wrings emotion where it needs to be. A very fine film that is a joy to watch. (29.07.2024)

A reminiscence of American romantic classics from several decades ago, with all its starchiness and sentimentality, wrapped in a well-fitting restored package. The brilliant atmosphere and meticulously directed actors breathe their honesty onto you and give you a feeling that you are watching a timeless film with a capital "F." I had similar feelings, for example, with L.A. Confidential. But Frank Darabont's piece is, of course, much more thoughtful, playing more on classic emotions and pathos, which is his typical sure bet – and this is meant well. However, both pieces are very intoxicating, though for slightly different reasons. Jim Carrey and Laurie Holden are excellent. A film where everyone will find something and that won't discourage anyone outright. (28.04.2015)

Darabont simply knows his craft; he seems to have the films from the early 20th century encoded in his blood, and the results are always worth it—he has never missed the mark. Although The Majestic isn’t based on a King story, it offers a top-notch tale with a rock-solid script; you won’t encounter plot absurdities as seen in other films. Jim Carrey has established himself as one of the most talented actors, bringing a smile to every viewer’s face with his flawless performances. But we mustn’t forget that he can handle serious roles just as well. The Majestic is a shining example of this; it’s far from a comedy. The classic ensemble cast around most of Darabont’s works (Jeffrey DeMunn, Laurie Holden, and others) is also a delight. I understand that 152 minutes might seem excessive to many, but personally, I didn’t find any moments I would cut from the script. It’s a slowly unfolding film with a touch of romance, which becomes seriously poignant towards the end. Such films are rare these days. I might even give it a full score eventually. For now, it gets 85%. (12.09.2018)

There’s pathos and kitsch in a lot of the scenes. Still, I have to admit that The Majestic is at its core a very good film, which artfully balances between a love affair and a moral drama, with Jim Carrey in the title role being simply irresistible. The musical pieces are also appreciated, as they wonderfully underline the atmosphere of a bygone era. (70%) (05.08.2020)