There's Something About Mary

 3/4

Starring: Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott, Lin Shaye

The version being reviewed is unrated.  For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong Comic Sexual Content and Language

We're the anti-Coens.  Nobody analyzes our filmmaking, and we don't want them to.

So said Peter Farrelly, one of the Farrelly brothers, who are responsible for co-writing and directing "There's Something About Mary."  Indeed, there is nothing remotely intellectual about their work.  Or subtle.  But that doesn't make their films any less funny.  The term "laugh riot" applies here.

In 1985, geeky Ted Stroehmann (Stiller) has managed to score a prom date with the school's bombshell Mary Jensen (Diaz).  It comes as such a surprise that he assumes she's asking him to be the designated driver for her and her friends.  Unfortunately, his date with the golden girl ends before it begins after he has an excruciating and embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.

Thirteen years later, he's still in love with her.  His best friend Dom (Elliott) suggests that he hires a private investigator to track her down.  The PI, a man named Healy (Dillon), does so and becomes so smitten with Mary that he lies to Ted so he can have her for himself.  Naturally, this backfires and soon the two of them are competing for her affections.  And they aren't the only ones.

Could anyone but Cameron Diaz have played the title role?  Julia Roberts maybe?  As enchanting as Roberts is, she seems too buttoned down for such a raunchy, lowest common denominator flick like this.  Then again, she starred in "Closer" six years later, so what do I know?  But Diaz is perfect for the role of Mary, bringing the character to life with a mix of a good heart and a wild sense of mischief.  She's very good here, to the point where I can safely say that the movie wouldn't have worked without her.

Her co-stars are just as well cast.  No one plays a neurotic loser quite like Ben Stiller, and that quality is an asset to his performance.  Ted is so pathetic that he sabotages himself even when things are going his way. Matt Dillon is an unconventional choice for playing such a sleaze ball, but he is the right one.  He's a rat and proud of it.  Lee Evans and Chris Elliot have their moments, but Lin Shaye is a scene-stealer as Magda, Mary's deeply tanned, obnoxious neighbor.  She's front and center for two of the film's biggest laughs.

Often times the funniest things come from subjects that we are deliberately not supposed to find funny.  This is the Farrelly Brothers oeuvre.  This movie is gross, raunchy and most decidedly not politically correct.  Nothing is too dark or twisted for them.  They dare to make jokes about animal cruelty, stalkers and serial killers.  But that's what makes this film so funny.  These losers will do anything to get Mary's affections.

The film slows down on occasion to tell a duo of romances, and the sweetness of these scenes enhances the film's bawdy humor.  We get a sense of why these losers would fall head over heels for Mary.  They are the scum of the earth, but Mary treats them with kindness and empathy.  They feel less miserable around her.  Diaz has good chemistry with her co-stars, which elevates the film from a gross out gag fest to an effective, if offbeat, romantic comedy.  One part I liked is a duo of musicians that comment on the action.  It contributes to the film's skewed sensibilities.

In some ways, "There's Something About Mary" was a game changer.  While it's certainly true that sex and comedy have been intertwined since man has understood the concept of humor, but the film mandated that most comedies be as raunchy as possible.  The dirtier the better.  It's a turn that gave way to the likes of "American Pie" and Judd Apatow, and it shows no signs of slowing down.  Ironically, this was viewed by the Farrellys as their last, as "Kingpin" was a box office disappointment.  Instead, it became a sleeper hit and saved their careers.

Quote whores ("film critics" of dubious distinction) often get their questionable praises splashed on movie posters and DVD cases.  Sayings like "uproariously funny" and "laugh till it hurts" appear on any movie that is marketing itself as a comedy.  Usually those quotes are worthless and used by studios and marketing teams desperate for a return on their investment.  But they apply here.  There are at least a half dozen scenes in this movie that will leave you with tears running down your face and a stomachache from laughing so hard.  The ending is more obligatory than earned, but that's really the only complaint I have about this movie.  It's a comic gem.