Liar Liar (1997)

A fast-track lawyer can't lie for 24 hours due to his son's birthday wish after he disappoints his son for the last time.

Director:

Tom Shadyac

Writers:

Paul Guay, Stephen Mazur

Stars:

Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Amanda Donohoe

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Carrey	...	Fletcher Reede
Maura Tierney	...	Audrey Reede
Justin Cooper	...	Max Reede
Cary Elwes	...	Jerry
Anne Haney	...	Greta
Jennifer Tilly	...	Samantha Cole
Amanda Donohoe	...	Miranda
Jason Bernard	...	Judge Marshall Stevens
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Dana Appleton
Mitchell Ryan	...	Mr. Allan
Christopher Mayer	...	Kenneth Falk (as Chip Mayer)
Eric Pierpoint	...	Richard Cole
Randall 'Tex' Cobb	...	Skull
Cheri Oteri	...	Jane
SW Fisher	...	Pete

Storyline

Fletcher Reede, a fast talking attorney, habitual liar, and divorced father is an incredibly successful lawyer who has built his career by lying. He has a habit of giving precedence to his job and always breaking promises to be with his young son Max, but Fletcher lets Max down once too often, for missing his own son's birthday party. But until then at 8:15 Max has decided to make an honest man out of him as he wishes for one whole day his dad couldn't tell a lie. When the wish comes true all Fletcher can do is tell the truth and cannot tell one lie. Uh-oh for Fletcher Reede.

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Plot Keywords:

birthday wish | obscene finger gesture | female stockinged feet | pantyhose | workaholic | 

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Taglines:

Coming soon. Honest.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex related humor and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry drives a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT V8 [UN105].

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Goofs

Fletcher is unable to come up with an honest argument for a continuance. However, having been brought onto the case just a day or two before trial is a perfectly valid reason. His ignorance of the settlement offer is itself evidence that he needs more time to look at the case file.

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Quotes

Fletcher: [Fletcher is trying to convince Greta to believe her about Max's wish] You don't believe me, do you?
Greta: Of course not.
Fletcher: [laughs dryly] How ironic. Okay, ask me something you think I would normally lie about.
Greta: Alright. Remember, a few months ago, when I wanted a raise...
Fletcher: Forget it. I don't wanna do this!
Greta: -and the company wouldn't give me one...
Fletcher: Greta, *please*!
Greta: -so you said you wanted to give me one out of your own pocket, but it would create jealously among the other secretaries. Now, was that true, or did ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Outtakes are shown during the credits.

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Alternate Versions

Randall 'Tex' Cobb's role (as "Skull) was considerably shortened prior to release. Originally filmed was a courtroom prologue where Fletcher successfully defends Skull using his usual, less-than-truthful tactics. Also filmed was a sequence in the jail where Fletcher meets Skull again in jail. The courtroom prologue was dropped entirely, but remnants of it still remain in the original theatrical trailers. The jail-cell scene was shortened, so much so that Cobb only has one line in the entire film, despite a prominent billing. The prologue is featured in the 'deleted scenes' section of the Special Edition DVD release.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Club (2000)

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Soundtracks

Mighty Mouse Theme (Here I Come To Save The Day)
(uncredited)
Written by Marshall Barer & Philip A. Scheib
Performed by Jim Carrey

User Reviews

Quite possibly my favorite Jim Carrey role

This was perhaps my favorite Jim Carrey movie. I found it to be hysterically funny, and Carrey was perfect for the role. His son wishes Carrey can only tell the truth for 24 hours, and it comes true. Unfortunately for Jim, it comes just as he is about to embark on the court case of a lifetime. Watching him go through the motions was a treat, and i guarantee you will love it. You will have to see it to understand, because most of it is too difficult to describe with written words, but it was FUNNY!

*** 1/2 out of ****

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Liar Liar

Filming Locations:

1004 Highland Street, South Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,423,025, 23 March 1997

Gross USA:

$181,410,615

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$302,710,615

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1