Siskel & Ebert - The Cable Guy (1996)

[@Stopher2475]

The genius of this movie is how uncomfortable it makes you feel. It brings out emotion. There’s art in that.

[@spencer10182]

Might be in the minority but I am with Gene on this one. The Cable Guy is a great, underrated satirical comedy. Not Carrey at his best but a very good movie still.

[@davidranney8723]

I thought I was the only one who liked this movie. So glad to see I was wrong.

[@IsmailofeRegime]

@@davidranney8723 It's one of those films that was widely dismissed when it came out (at least among critics, who did shape public perception) but whose reputation has since risen.

[@spencerhensley5495]

@@davidranney8723 You are far from being the only one. I like Ace Ventura, Mask, Dumb and Dumber and his later ones better but it was still very funny. I like the dark atmosphere of it.

[@Nick64266]

One of the few times I agreed with him and not Ebert.

[@ThePathfinderX]

Easily one of my favorite Jim Carrey movies. The Medieval Times and basketball scenes are comedy gold. Also, Roger said Broderick wasn't much of an antagonist? Pretty sure Carrey is the antagonist and Broderick is the good guy.

[@jesse1085]

The Pathfinder X I think Roger meant to say that Broderick could have been more of a foil to the Cable Guy, turn his table upside down, beat him in his game, and be less of a victim.

[@4seeableTV]

And fighting to the Star Trek fighting music. Love it.

[@IsmailofeRegime]

@@jesse1085 That wouldn't make much sense though. Chip purposefully intrudes on Steven at a vulnerable time, allowing Steven's life to be hijacked by a guy he doesn't even know. The "table upside down" bit is when Steven flatly says he doesn't want to be Chip's friend, whereupon Chip behaves like a sociopath trying to "get back" at him until, out of desperation, he seemingly tries to commit suicide to gain sympathy. At the end of the day Steven actually has a life, so it makes sense for Chip (who has no life) to be able to overwhelm him by demanding constant attention and later by constantly harassing him.

[@eliecervalencia3591]

My favorite is The Mask

[@thosearentpillows5638]

“Don’t wanna pull a hammy”

[@villedocvalle]

Lol that Pulp Fiction Reference drew the appropriate facial expression from Siskel.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

That was a pretty bizarre comparison.

[@thegoldentroll]

There is one line in this film that I still use all the time. It's when the cable guy shows up while Steven is taking a shower and rushes out to meet him. The Cable Guy is on his way to leave when Steven opens the door. Jim Carrey turns around slowly and says, "well, look who decided to show!" Lol, you can say this ANYTIME anyone is late for ANYTHING!

[@DoubleMonoLR]

That was a pretty common expression well before the movie, albeit obviously his delivery is what made it good here.

[@shadesofgray5476]

The first time i watched the Cable Guy, i didn't enjoy it. But years later watching it with my grandson, I could appreciate the humor better and I caught more of the references. The scene where Jim Carrey sings i can't get no body to love karaoke was really well done.

[@bossfan49]

I can't believe I agree with both Gene's pick AND his reasoning. I also agree with what Ebert said about Broderick's character. He just kept taking it and taking it. But as far as the tone of the picture, Gene's right...you can't have it both ways. Ebert is usually my guy but he didn't have an answer for that one.

[@AlfredoEClark]

I only liked a handful of Carrey's movies (such as "Man on the Moon,) so I'm in no way a fan of his. Having said that, I found "The Cable Guy" to be one of those movies that I enjoyed with him in it. Maybe it was the dry sense of humor, but the basketball scene, the karaoke party scene and the medieval restaurant scene made the movie for me.

[@comicbookninja5268]

Gene was right with this one.I totally disagree with Roger on this but I do agree with his King of Comedy comparison.

[@nebulous6660]

Really enjoyed this movie. Broderick is a drag but it makes Carrey even more entertaining. The bathroom scene was pure Carrey brilliance.

[@J1283-s1k]

Fully agreed. Broderick (as always for me outside of Lion King and Bueller) sucks alongside Leslie Mann whilst Jim keeps the film nicely running along.

[@nebulous6660]

@@J1283-s1k I forgot about Leslie Mann, she's always boring in my opinion.

[@J1283-s1k]

@@nebulous6660 For sure. The only movie I remember actually liking her in was George of the Jungle. Everything else? Forgettable at best and dislikeable at worst.

[@SmoothCriminal12]

​@@J1283-s1k Well at least I'm not the only one who finds Broderick boring aside Ferris Bueller and couple other movies. He should just stick to stage acting.

[@breal8484]

Thanks for uploading these..I missed their reviews Rip to both of them.

[@billlozier5551]

You can really look at the movie both ways. It is funny and it is also very sad. Jim's Ace Ventura & the Mask are cartoons with no depth. Here as the Cable guy his appears quite human and in the end a very lonely disturbed person who is I felt compassion for. He is also the guy who could be living with his dead mother at the Bates Motel.

[@jonathanpatch5281]

I don't know if this movie was Carrey's or Broderick's best work, but Janeane Garofalo's serving wench was spot on. I say we cast Aubrey Plaza in the remake.

[@Dullfang2]

I feel Ebert kinda missed the point on this movie. It's not bad imo

[@peterkuchenbrod5696]

I love this movie. A dark comedy on the pervasive influence of television.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

i just watched this for the first time this evening. Maybe the perception of it at the time was different, but I found it's reputation as "dark" to be way overblown. It was pretty funny, Carrey was pretty goofy, and it was too silly to be disturbing.

[@IsmailofeRegime]

It's also kinda weird since Dumb & Dumber contains jokes about narrowly avoiding rape and selling a dead bird to a blind kid, to name just two examples of dark humor in that film. Ace Ventura and The Mask had "dark" moments as well. Yet people reacted to The Cable Guy as if Jim Carrey had gone from starring in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to starring in Downfall.

[@benjiarehart2878]

Loved this movie then, and love it now. Carrey's most underrated film role of all time.

[@ScootyPuffSr7]

I like Gene's line later that the movie was a portrayal of a man who's brain had been warped by too much television. Sometimes your ability to appreciate a movie is based on how specific of a perspective you take on it.

[@Excremental_Discharge]

The entire speech that Jim Carrey gives on top of the satellite was 100% accurate. Go look up his speech, i dont feel like typing all of it out

[@crackcorn0404]

I didn't care for this movie when it was new, but I feel like it's aged well and I have a much greater appreciation for it.

[@Kruppt808]

I didn't like Cable Guy as a kid and teenager as much, now i like it more in.my 30s and 40s. We know people like him, they want to be your friend so much you feel uncomfortable they are always hanging around

[@st0n3p0ny]

Peak irony is Jim ranting about Waterworld and how he doesn't understand why people crap on it. While The Cable Guy is #2 on that list, behind Waterworld, of popular movies that people crap on. They both rule.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

I agree, the Waterworld example was a (mostly) pre-internet example of the pile-on that happens all the time now. I think a lot of it was that people wanted a reason to crap on anything with Kevin Costner in it. Albeit it did have a huge budget for the time, which made it a target. Somewhat similar examples that didn't have such public actors in them, just quietly disappeared. eg: personally I thought 'Escape from Absolom'/'No Escape' was a very enjoyable movie, with Ray Liotta as the hero(albeit an anti-hero) for once, with a fun villain, good stunts, unique setting & premise, etc. It likewise performed very poorly at the box office, but nobody paid much attention to it for good or bad.

[@MrMalouf86]

Who else thinks Carrey’s last great comedy was Me, Myself and Irene?

[@bossfan49]

Agree. Liar Liar was his best, though. I didn't really love Bruce Almighty.

[@MrMalouf86]

@@bossfan49 glad you agree. Hard for me to pick a favorite though liar 🤥 liar is up there. I do like dumb and dumb and the mask

[@peterkuchenbrod5696]

I guess you've never seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?

[@MrMalouf86]

@@peterkuchenbrod5696 heard of it, had zero interest. Is that even a comedy?

[@peterkuchenbrod5696]

@@MrMalouf86 - Even though it's got some funny moments, I guess it doesn't qualify as a comedy. A great film though, you should see it.

[@jamesvolpe3581]

Loved this movie!

[@movieman104]

CABLE GUY IS VERY FUNNY

[@Doobie1975]

I do notice that this movie is much better received today than it was when this movie came out, I remember it not being very fond of this movie back when I've seen it in the 90's.

[@JasonVoorhees10100]

Fantastic movie - comedy turned drama very well acted its a shame matthew broderick killed 2 people

[@alaza61]

Is it such a crime for a comedy to have a dramatic undertone? Comedic stories don't deserve layers? Comedies don't have to be one-noted or innocent fun. Yes, the Cable Guy is a disturbed person. That's the point, and as we laugh at his twisted nature, we can also be bothered by it. It's a CHARACTER with layers, which means we get to laugh, but also be moved by his obvious trauma.

[@xr4ti548]

This movie made a lot of people uncomfortable, that's why so many people were split on it. How do you politely distance yourself from someone who ends up being deranged. But the film is one of Jim Carrey's finest comedic performances.

[@samweisberg3673]

Not a single mention of the best part of the film: the subplot about the tv twin murder movie

[@DoubleMonoLR]

I assume you're aware, but that was directly mimicking the real life Menendez brothers trial at the time.

[@samweisberg3673]

@@DoubleMonoLR yes of course! It was brilliant!

[@charlieg1337]

A classic film...Carrey's best...loved the kereoke scene, freaks and the whole "summer of love" outstanding direction from Stiller

[@bernlin2000]

Not one of my favorites to be sure, but one that certainly deserves a revisit. Carrey was making a lot of films during this period, not all of them were bullseyes. I think the script with this one never quite felt right to me... Carrey's character was a strange blend of traits that was, in the end, wholly psychotic. There wasn't really anyone to root for... Broderick's character felt generic and uninspired, likely a testament to the writing more than the actor. Carrey outs on a fine performance, I just didn't really care for the character as written. Ben Stiller would improve on his producing craft with "Meet the Parents" which took on a decidedly less sinister tone, while still having great dramatic moments (like Stiller's character trying to get "Jynxy" off the roof).

[@Jbaxter85]

I seen cable guy once, it was dark comedy despite I laugh few things, it wasn't funny enough not only to recommended also entertainment for people to see.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

I think they knew what kind of movie they wanted to make with this. I think Jim Carrey knows what movie he wanted to make. I just don’t think it was the movie that people wanted to see from him at the time. As a kid back then, familiar with Ace Ventura and the mask, if I watched this, I would probably be scared of Jim Carrey. It’s him flipping his manic persona on his head. Sandler did the same in Punch Drunk Love. I say this movie came way too early in his career. Had he waited a couple years and did a lot more light, fluffy comedies, it would’ve gone down easier if people wanted something new from him than the same old same old. But like Steve Martin with Pennies From Heaven, it was just too soon.

[@peaceandlove544]

dark comedy masterpiece

[@williameleno]

Shows how little movie critiques we trust actually know. To see a comedian and hate their movie because it wasn't a comedy is a sign of a bad and very biased critique.

[@kevinfinnerty8414]

Would not expect Gene to have liked it.

[@JoeBuck207]

Gene also liked Career Opportunities.

[@dextermcgrubbin]

One of Jim's best movies.

[@jimlang7461]

One of the One of the rare occasions that I agree with Gene and not Roger

[@Nathan-gd7xq]

Might have been watchable if Jim Carrey had dialled it back about 90%.

[@JoeBuck207]

The Cable now is a cult classic.

[@stevenlombaerts2714]

Roger Ebert was so wrong so many times. This is a great example where I disagree on everything he says. I'm with Siskel here.

[@wet-read]

What other major disagreements do you have with him? I have a few myself, but overall I am very impressed with his analytical skills and his writing. I revisit his reviews to take in both. I consider Ebert to be one of my intellectual heroes.

[@ThePreciseClimber]

@@wet-read For me, it would've been when Ebert liked Home Alone 3 more than the first two, even the original.

[@cristianromanoschi6963]

I think both didn't get the point. People expected it to be a comedy like The Mask. It is about a neglected child that was "raised by tv" and can't adapt in the real life. The huge antena is like a shrine to worship an airwawes god. Meanwhile all the people are watching an OJ like trial (it happend a few years before in 1994) where live media and live tv where following every step and millions were glued to tv awaiting the sentence. He destroys the antena in a suicide gesture at the reading of the verdict maiking people return to a book or the real life that was eluding him

[@drivingschool803]

To me, this isn't jim carreys best movie, but I still really enjoy it.

[@mrmusickhimself]

Ebert was FAR off the mark on this one. Medieval Times being a Pulp Fiction/Jack Rabbit Slim's reference? Nah, not at all.

[@dustinneely]

Gene was right. 👍

[@lambknot]

But aren’t most cable guys depressed and creepy? lol

[@titusmccarthy]

It's one Carey's best films before he went serious.

[@geraldbrienza4474]

One of his best……

[@mayerbasic7004]

I re-watched Cable Guy recently. It's just not funny. I 'got' more jokes than I did when I was a kid, but that doesn't mean much. I guess it's "better" than it was in the 90s but it still stinks.

[@oops6876]

Gene is so drunk. Lmao

[@edcampion3998]

Cable guy better than dumb and dumber I don't think so 🤔

[@mournblade1066]

Sorry, but The Cable Guy is one of the greatest black comedies of the 1990s.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

A good premise for a film but it's ultimately bungled. Carrey's Chip was too sadistic and unsympathetic and Broderick was simply his punching bag. A smarter director and writer would have turned this film into brilliant social commentary.

[@bossfan49]

You're absolutely right about both characters. They should've turned Carrey's meanness down 1 notch, and Broderick's wimpy-ness down 1 notch.

[@MrMalouf86]

Question: didn’t Ebert not like Ace Ventura?

[@crackcorn0404]

True, but I think he can see why other people might find it funny and realize it's not for him. For me Joker is a movie I recognize as acted and directed well and I understand why a lot of people like it, but I didn't care for it.

[@bossfan49]

Yes, that's Gene's point. They felt Ace Ventura was too silly, too many crazy antics, voices etc. Here is Jim Carrey turned down 1 notch, and a slightly darker tone for the movie, and Ebert still didn't like it. That's why Gene says "You can't have it both ways."

[@patrickc3419]

Totally agree. Hated this movie, along with both Carrey and Broderick.

[@dominiquepilon5764]

Me too it was obnoxious and retarded

[@thebogking666]

Common Ebert L

[@jamesbarker9895]

I absolutely HATED this and so did my gf at the time. At least we entertained each other...

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

"You can't have it both ways". Sure you can, Gene; you did all the time when you reviewed films. The Cable Guy was obnoxious, abrasive and finally abusive watching it. It would have been much funnier if Broderick started pushing back, and started terrorizing Jim Carrey's character. But this was an unpleasant film from beginning to end.

[@thommysoisson]

Gene Siskel. I never understood how he was such a renowned and respected film critic. He hated Taxi Driver because it was "Too violent." Seriously, look it up. And here he is praising the stupidest movie to come out the 90's: The Cable Guy. I actually saw it myself in theaters upon release with a friend who said I'd love it despite the fact everyone said it looked stupid as hell. Yours truly, included. My friend was a dumbass and thought it would be funny like Mr. Siskel. We left and he apologized to me for talking me in to seeing it. Our friendship never recovered. Myself, I considered a lobotomy but my insurance wouldn't cover it. I found preparing for a colonoscopy to be less painful. Siskel was a dumbass like my friend. I like Roger Ebert very much but, Siskel? Not even a little bit.

[@Superpig500]

Being a critic isn't about being right or wrong it's about being able to express your thoughts about something with reasons instead of just saying I thought the movie was boring.

[@Tolstoy111]

Siskel is already slowing down.

[@anthonycoscia5501]

This was not! Funny. One of Jim Carrey’s worst movies. And I’m a big fan of his.

[@Angyali]

It was the worst kind of unfunny, annoying, akward and misguidedly cringy dark comedy for me.

[@HugoSoup57]

Angelus If this is the worst movie you ever seen, then you should watch more films.

[@Angyali]

@@HugoSoup57 ONE of the worst, and even only inside that years movies.

[@holydiver1376]

One of the worst movies I've ever seen.

[@HugoSoup57]

Holy Diver If it's one of the worst movies you've ever seen, then you need to watch more movies.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

You can not like a movie without it being the 'worst' movie. This is far, far from being anywhere near one of the worst movies, whether you like it or not.

[@joedebaun4547]

Thumbs down.

[@EEE80]

Siskel is maybe worst movie revier of all time

[@hulkjelly6876]

I didn't like this film at all.