The Majestic (film)

The Majestic

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2001 (2001)
Founder	Frank Darabont (director and producer), Michael Sloane (writer)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Romantic drama film

The Majestic is a 2001 American romantic drama film directed and produced by Frank Darabont and penned by Michael Sloane, featuring Jim Carrey in a serious role. The ensemble cast also includes Bob Balaban, Brent Briscoe, Jeffrey DeMunn, Amanda Detmer, Allen Garfield, Hal Holbrook, Laurie Holden, Martin Landau, Ron Rifkin, David Ogden Stiers, and James Whitmore. Set in the 1950s, the narrative centers on a Hollywood screenwriter who, after being accused of communist affiliations, suffers amnesia following a car crash and is subsequently mistaken for a missing World War II soldier by a small community.

This film marked a departure for Carrey from his usual comedic roles. It premiered on December 11, 2001, and was released across the United States on December 21, 2001. The movie garnered mixed critical responses and earned $37 million globally against a production budget of $72 million, resulting in an approximate loss of $35 million.

Plot

During the height of McCarthyism in 1951, Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton faces allegations of communist sympathies after attending an antiwar rally during his college years. His latest project, Ashes to Ashes, is postponed, his screen credit removed, his girlfriend ends their relationship, and his studio contract is terminated. Following heavy drinking, Peter crashes his car off a bridge and loses his memory.

He is discovered by Stan Keller near Lawson, California, and is cared for by the town’s physician Doc Stanton and sheriff Cecil Coleman. Harry Trimble is convinced that Peter is his son Luke, who went missing during WWII. Due to his amnesia, Peter embraces this mistaken identity and begins to assimilate into the community, developing a close relationship with Adele Stanton, who was engaged to Luke before the war.

Peter takes part in restoring The Majestic theater and persuades the mayor to unveil a World War II memorial that had been concealed out of sorrow. Bob Leffert, a war veteran with one hand, harbors doubts about Peter’s true identity but nonetheless supports the town’s emotional recovery.

Meanwhile, the House Un-American Activities Committee dispatches agents Ellerby and Saunders under Congressman Elvin Clyde's orders to locate Peter after his abandoned car is found. When The Majestic screens Peter’s first credited film, his memory returns. Harry passes away believing Peter truly is Luke.

Peter reveals the truth to Adele but soon faces federal agents who publicly disclose his real identity and summon him to testify before Congress. His agent urges him to cooperate by naming others suspected of communism.

Emmett, an usher at The Majestic, admits he was aware that Peter was not Luke but chose silence to protect the community’s healing process.

At the congressional hearing, inspired by Luke’s letter and guided by the U.S. Constitution given by Adele, Peter refuses to cooperate with the committee. He delivers an impassioned defense of American principles while presenting Luke's Medal of Honor. His stand influences lawmakers to exonerate him.

Discovering that the woman who had implicated him was the same individual from his college days, Peter attempts to return to Hollywood but finds it unfulfilling and departs.

He returns to Lawson where he receives a hero’s welcome. Peter resumes management of The Majestic theater, marries Adele, and they begin a family together.

Cast

• Jim Carrey portrays Peter Appleton, a screenwriter fleeing Hollywood after being accused of communist sympathies who loses his memory following an accident and is mistaken for Luke Trimble, a WWII soldier declared missing.
• Bob Balaban plays Elvin Clyde, the congressman presiding over Peter's congressional hearing.
• Brent Briscoe appears as Cecil Coleman, the sheriff of Lawson.
• Jeffrey DeMunn acts as Ernie Cole, Lawson’s Mayor and pharmacist.
• Amanda Detmer features as Sandra Sinclair, Peter’s former girlfriend and star of Sand Pirates of the Sahara.
• Allen Garfield portrays Leo Kubelsky, Peter's Hollywood talent agent.
• Hal Holbrook takes on Congressman Doyle, a member of the hearing panel.
• Laurie Holden plays Adele Stanton, Luke Trimble’s former fiancée.
• Martin Landau appears as Harry Trimble, father of Luke.
• Ron Rifkin acts as Kevin Bannerman, Peter’s studio attorney.
• David Ogden Stiers portrays Doc Stanton, local doctor and Adele’s father.
• James Whitmore plays Stan Keller, owner of a clock store who finds Peter after his accident.
• Gerry Black appears as Emmett Smith, usher and repairman at The Majestic.
• Karl Bury acts as Bob Leffert, one-handed veteran and diner chef familiar with Luke Trimble.
• Catherine Dent features as Mabel, waitress and diner proprietor in Lawson.
• Shawn Doyle and Daniel von Bargen portray federal agents searching for Peter.
• Additional roles include townsfolk and actors from Sand Pirates of the Sahara, with notable vocal cameos by Garry Marshall, Paul Mazursky, Sydney Pollack, Carl Reiner, and Rob Reiner.

Production

Initially known as The Bijou, the screenplay penned by Michael Sloane was retitled following Jim Carrey's attachment to the project in August 2000.

Principal photography occurred mainly in Ferndale, California, which offered a variety of interior and exterior settings. The Majestic theater façade was erected as a temporary structure within Ferndale’s municipal parking area, while alterations were made to buildings along Main Street to align with the film’s period atmosphere.

Sequences involving the train were filmed on the California Western Railroad located in Fort Bragg, California, and the lighthouse shown is the Point Cabrillo Light.

This movie stands out as director Frank Darabont’s sole theatrical release not adapted from Stephen King’s works.

Box office

The Majestic generated $27 million in domestic revenue and $9 million internationally, culminating in a global total of $37 million. The film’s modest box office results were influenced by strong competition from titles such as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Ocean's Eleven, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Upon its release in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2002, it did not achieve a position within the Top 10 rankings.

Critical response

Critical reception for The Majestic was largely mixed to negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 42% approval rating based on 144 reviews, with an average score of 4.90 out of 10. The consensus characterizes it as "ponderous and overlong," burdened by contrived sentimentality and resembling a blend of superior films. On Metacritic, it earned a score of 27 out of 100 from 30 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews." Audience polling by CinemaScore resulted in a "B+" grade.

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times described the film as a "derivative, self-satisfied fable" that leaned too heavily on simplistic and sentimental storytelling. Conversely, Roger Ebert gave it three and a half stars, commending its homage to World War II veterans and its nostalgic depiction of small-town America. He emphasized director Frank Darabont’s aim to capture traditional American ideals reminiscent of Frank Capra’s works and praised Jim Carrey for delivering his finest performance.

In a 2008 discussion with Empire, Darabont expressed pride in the film, affirming that it fulfilled his creative vision despite receiving mixed reviews. He dismissed certain criticisms, reiterating his contentment with the final product.

See also

• McCarthyism
• World War II