The Cable Guy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Cable Guy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Ben Stiller |
| Produced by | Judd Apatow Bernie Brillstein (executive) |
| Written by | Lou Holtz Jr. |
| Starring | Jim Carrey Matthew Broderick Leslie Mann Jack Black George Segal Diane Baker |
| Music by | John Ottman |
| Cinematography | Robert Brinkmann |
| Editing by | Steven Weisberg |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | June 14, 1996 |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Country |  |
| Language | English French |
| Budget | $47 million |
| Gross revenue | $102,825,796 |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Cable Guy is a 1996 dark comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and starring Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, and Jack Black.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
A TV-obsessed cable installer, who gives his name as Ernie "Chip" Douglas (despite it not being his real name, as the character is credited as "The Cable Guy"[1]) (Jim Carrey), installs Steven Kovacs's (Matthew Broderick) cable television service after Steven moves out of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend Robin (Leslie Mann). After he illegally gives Steven free pay channels, Chip believes he and Steven have struck up a friendship. Although Chip behaves in an off-putting manner, Steven comes to like his new pal. Chip shows his affection in odd ways such as arranging a duel between the two, giving his new pal a (stolen) massive entertainment system, and paying a gorgeous prostitute to have sex with Steven. But not long passes before Chip's bizarre behavior exhausts Steven's patience, leading him to forcefully break off their friendship. Chip snaps, and resorts to stalking Steven and his girlfriend to get the attention he feels he deserves.
The film satirizes America's obsession with television, and other forms of mass media such as the Internet and video games. The Cable Guy seems unable to separate fact from fiction and television was his defacto parent. Director Ben Stiller has a minor role in the film as an accused murderer and former child star whose criminal case is constantly being talked about on every television station, with the signal being disrupted right before the verdict is announced.
[edit] Cast
- Jim Carrey as The Cable Guy
- Matthew Broderick as Steven M. Kovacs (the last name in the original script was Bartowsky)
- Leslie Mann as Robin Harris
- Jack Black as Rick (no last name given, although the original script lists it as Legatos)
- George Segal as Mr. Kovacs
- Diane Baker as Mrs. Kovacs
- Ben Stiller as Sam Sweet / Stan Sweet
- Eric Roberts as Himself
- Janeane Garofalo as Medieval Times Waitress
- Andy Dick as Medieval Times Host
- David Cross as Sales Manager
- Amy Stiller as Steven's Secretary
- Owen Wilson as Robin's Date
- Kathy Griffin as Mrs. Douglas
- Bob Odenkirk as Steven's brother
- Kyle Gass as Couch Potato
- Jeremy Applegate as Serf #4
- Bill Clinton (uncredited) as Himself (archive footage)
- Alex D. Linz (uncredited)
[edit] Reactions
[edit] Critical reception
The Cable Guy is regarded as having a darker tone than most of Carrey's previous work, because he plays the antagonist, a stalker. Audiences had mixed reactions to this change of character for Carrey and film critics gave mixed reviews. The movie scored 47% on Rotten Tomatoes,[2] giving it a rotten score.
[edit] Box office
The film grossed $19,806,226 on its opening weekend. It grossed a total $60,240,295 in the domestic market, and $42,585,501 outside the U.S, making a total of $102,825,796 worldwide gross. Despite the perception that the movie was a failure, it actually made a profit, grossing just over $100 million, with a budget of $47 million.[3]
[edit] Awards & Nominations
[edit] 1997 MTV Movie Awards
- Best Comedic Performance - Jim Carrey (won)
- Best Villain - Jim Carrey (won)
[edit] Edits (United Kingdom)
In the UK, four seconds from the final fight between Chip and Steven is edited out, to remove shots of Chip headbutting Steven. A further edit is made to remove a double earclap.
[edit] Sequel
Many online fans have petitioned for a sequel. Although unlikely due to unpopular reviews and Jim Carrey stating he isn't a fan of reprising the same role, in an interview in 2008 Carrey was asked if there was any film which he would like to bring back for a sequel which would it be, Carrey replied "the cable guy, we could find out about chip's other sides which were not touched on in the film, although we've all moved on now so I don't think it will happen."
[edit] Soundtrack
The Cable Guy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released May 21, 1996 by Sony.[4] It consists largely of alternative rock and post-grunge bands and includes the first solo recording by Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains fame. The soundtrack also includes a song from $10,000 Gold Chain, a side project of Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready. However, it does not include White Zombie's "More Human Than Human," which is featured in the film.
[edit] Track listing
- I'll Juice You Up - Jim Carrey
- Leave Me Alone - Jerry Cantrell
- Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand - Primitive Radio Gods
- Blind - Silverchair
- Oh! Sweet Nuthin' - $10,000 Gold Chain
- End of the World is Coming - David Hilder
- Satellite of Love - Porno For Pyros
- Get Outta My Head - Cracker
- Somebody to Love - Jim Carrey
- The Last Assassin - Cypress Hill
- This is - Ruby
- Hey Man, Nice Shot - Filter
- Unattractive - Toadies
- Download - Expanding Man
- This Concludes Our Broadcast Day - John Ottman
[edit] In Popular Culture
- On the season 11 episode of The Simpsons, "Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner", Homer goes to a Planet Hollywood-esque restaurant where he sees several props from famous movies, like the mug from Heartbeeps, the cane from Citizen Kane, and, according to Bart, the awful script from this movie (which Homer tears because the movie almost ruined Jim Carrey's career).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The ending seems to parody that of the movie Ricochet.
