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)

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)

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)