Jim Carrey has been hailed as one of the leading actors in the comedy genre for a long time now, and as he’s recently announced his retirement from acting, now seems like as good a time as any to look back through his best projects over the years.
Although his filmography has become less dense in recent years, there was a time when Carrey was one of Hollywood’s most in-demand and beloved comedy actors. He brought incomparable energy and electricity to every role, which was almost impossible to look away from.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Despite being famous for his comedic roles, Carrey’s dramatic turn in Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was widely praised by audiences and critics alike. He stars alongside Kate Winslet as a heartbroken man named Joel who attempts to remove his ex-girlfriend from his memories.
The film’s screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman, so it’s no surprise that the story is full of complex twists and turns throughout. It manages to subvert expectations at every turn, allowing the audience to feel exceptionally connected to the characters and their dynamics.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)
Although Ace Venture 2 isn’t quite as popular or acclaimed as the original, it’s still a shamelessly fun time that’s bolstered by a memorable and entertaining lead performance from Jim Carrey. He stars as the titular detective, who specializes in the retrieval of tame and captive animals.
Both Ace Ventura 2 and its predecessor are considered by many to be some of the best comedy movies of the 1990s, and it’s likely due to the fact that they’re willing to have fun with their absurd premises. They never take themselves seriously, and Carrey’s eccentric performance is unlike any other.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Ron Howard’s adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ iconic story is full of hilarious quotes and memorable moments that allow it to stand the test of time as one of the most popular Christmas movies for children. Carrey gives it everything he’s got as the Grinch, offering a performance that’s unlike anything he’s attempted before.
Although the film has a very basic story, it’s Carrey’s commitment to the role that allows How The Grinch Stole Christmas to stand out amongst the crowd. He’s electrifying to watch, and his rapport with the other characters is always entertaining – no matter how many times you’ve seen the movie.
Me, Myself And Irene (2000)
In Me, Myself and Irene, Jim Carrey actually provides two different performances as two separate characters. His first character Charlie is a mild-mannered, hard-working police officer from Rhode Island – but his split personality disorder means that his alter-ego Hank often causes trouble for him.
Carrey is known as one of Hollywood’s most diverse and versatile actors, so it’s no surprise that he was cast in this bizarre comedy that requires two completely different yet equally impressive performances. It represents everything that makes his sense of humor so unique.
Bruce Almighty (2003)
In Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey plays anchorman Bruce Nolan, who makes a deal with God that has disastrous but hilarious consequences. Morgan Freeman plays the embodiment of God, and the scenes that he shares with Carrey are so much fun to watch.
The only thing that could make Jim Carrey more engaging and entertaining to watch is exactly what Bruce Almighty gives to him – superpowers. It’s a hilarious one-of-a-kind film that might be completely beyond the realms of reality, but that doesn’t seem to matter one bit.
Dumb And Dumber (1994)
When it comes to iconic comedic duos with hilarious banter, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber are pretty difficult to beat. They have so many memorable and iconic scenes together in this film, and their chemistry throughout is some of the best the comedy genre has ever seen.
Dumb and Dumber was one of the most prolific and successful comedies of the 90s, and it’s one of the films that completely shot Jim Carrey to stardom. It’s impossible to imagine any other actors in the lead roles, and it’s for that reason that it’s become such a cult classic.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Carrey has always gone above and beyond in every single one of his projects, but it’s his performance as Ace Ventura that really stands out as one of his most outlandish. It’s a bizarre and silly film, but it’s one that can safely say there are no others quite like it.
Courteney Cox also stars in the film, and her relationship with Carrey’s character is one of the more grounded and compelling aspects of the story. When the narrative threatens to wander too far into the unbelievable, Cox’s character is always there to make Ventura seem more real and human.
The Mask (1994)
In The Mask, Jim Carrey plays timid bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss, who discovers a magical mask that gives him limitless charm and confidence and a penchant for crime. It gives Carrey a chance to completely make the most out of a silly script through a character that’s constantly unpredictable and surprising.
Out of all his comedy movies, The Mask might be the one that best exemplifies what makes Jim Carrey such a charismatic and likable actor. He’s always willing to try something new and unconventional, and his style of comedy undoubtedly changed the scene of the genre for good.
Liar Liar (1997)
Directed by Tom Shadyac, Liar Liar imagines what would happen if a successful lawyer suddenly lost the ability to intentionally lie. When his son makes a wish for his father (Jim Carrey) to tell the truth more, it magically becomes the only thing that he can do.
Liar Liar is one of those films that draws comedy from the misfortune of its characters, which is one of the most entertaining forms of humor to watch. It’s also one of Carrey’s most emotional and heartfelt projects, with the relationship between father and son being one of the film’s strongest assets.
The Truman Show (1998)
Without a doubt, The Truman Show is Carrey’s most inventive and impressive movie to date. Not only does it take an extremely grounded and dramatic approach to its dystopian story, but it also has incredibly astute attention to detail that makes the movie endlessly rewatchable.
Many cite The Truman Show as Carrey’s best performance to date, and it’s difficult to disagree. He conveys a huge range of emotion, and his character goes on an intense and formative journey over the course of the narrative. It’s some of the best character work in his filmography, and his acting talents bring it to life even more than you’d expect.
