There's Something About Mary (1998)

There's Something About Mary is a hilarious classic from the Farrelly Brothers, known for their "gross-out comedies" like Dumb and Dumber. Our story begins as awkward Ted (Ben Stiller) harkens back to his school days, when he first was smitten with Mary (Cameron Diaz), an outgoing feathered-blonde cutie that every boy would love to date. No one is more surprised when Mary agrees to go to the prom with Ted. In a highly convoluted comedy of errors, however, their ill-fated evening is aborted before it begins -- I love the scene where he screams and a mother walks her child speedily past the house -- and that's the end of it. Fast-forward to five years later, when the emotionally stagnant Ted still can't stop wondering what might have been -- so he agrees to let blustery Healy (Matt Dillon) look Mary up -- and thereby stirs up a rat's nest of six men who are vying for Mary's attentions. Individually, the movie's male characters are insipid or vapid, but in concert they play off each other to great effect: In addition to Ted and Healy are the handicapped British architect Tucker aka Norm, Mary's old boyfriends Woogie and Brett, and a final reveal in the closing scene. Excellent supporting roles are Ted's useless therapist, Mary's father, Mary's mentally challenged brother Warren, Mary's elderly roommate Magda, Healy's accomplice, and of course the dog. So many outrageous lines and scenes in this movie can never be forgotten: the fish hook, the zipper, "franks and beans," "clear the pipes," the dog fight, the bust shot, the hair gel. A special touch throughout is the retro '60s soundtrack of Jonathan Richman, played during interludes as commentary on the narrative: "He's had enough of Tiffany and Indigo, but there's something about Mary that they don't know. Mary, there's just something about Mary." (Warning: If you are conservative, you are certain to grouse and kvetch about a minimum of six short scenes.) Be sure to stick around for the closing ensemble cast number "Buttercup" -- it's an integral part of the movie. Enjoy! 5 stars. (4-29-2009, posted 7-16-2016)