Films To Watch Before You Die #76 - There's Something About Mary (1998)

D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…

There’s Something About Mary, 1998.

Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly.
Starring Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Chris Elliott and Lee Evans.

There’s Something About Mary is an absolutely hilarious tale of Ted’s (Stiller) attempts to win the love and affections of Mary (Diaz), a girl he has fancied since their high school date went pair shaped and ended with one of his nuts stuck in his fly. Thirteen years later Ted is still holding a candle for Mary and his best friend Dom (Chris Elliott) persuades him to hire private detective Pat (Dillon) to track her down.

When Pat finds Mary living in Miami, Ted goes about setting up an accidental encounter where he can reintroduce himself, get reacquainted and then try an win her over. Initially his plan works, but he has competition. Pat has fallen for Mary too and has decided to spy on her and bug her phone so he can find out as much as he can and win her for himself. There’s also Tucker (Evans), who despite parading himself as an articulate Englishman. is actually an Californian pizza delivery boy. Plus, Dom was Mary’s high school boyfriend and unknowingly to Ted, he has been planning to steal her away too. Then there’s professional American Football player Brett Favre, who plays himself and is also in love with Mary.

The film was the highest grossing comedy movie of its year and the fourth highest grossing movie overall, as well as launching Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz into the spotlight. There’s something about this film that appeals to all. Gross out comedy, sweet moments and some of the funniest characters all desperately trying to win Mary’s love is a recipe for a good time.

There’s Something About Mary has some of the funniest moments I have ever seen in film and for that reason it is a film you must see before you die. Semen hanging from Ted’s ear, his nut stuck in his zipper, Tucker trying to pick up his keys and a boatload of other laugh out loud moments will keep your funny bone well and truly tickled.