The Cable Guy by Lou Holtz Jr.

The Cable Guy by Lou Holtz Jr.

This comedy works very well for quite some time…until it seems to become rather preposterous, descend into some bizarre, outré species of horror, thriller feature that is hard to take.

Matthew Broderick is very good in the role of the rather decent – anyway, when compared with the lunatic that steals the show, this character is the epitome of normal – Steven Kovacs.

His girlfriend is going through a phase of uncertainty, where she needs to have some time to consider the relationship, future options, perhaps even see other people – she would try with a date played by Owen Wilson.

While the unconsoled boyfriend is contemplating his romantic misery, The Cable Guy aka the versatile, incredible, enthusiastic, sparkling, dazzling, effervescent Jim Carrey, knocks at the door.

He is here to install the cable, after rearranging the furniture, complaining about customers who mistreat him – they take the view that he is inferior…like a plumber say, which is already one of the good jokes, for this is exactly what he is, a man whose job resembles that of a plumber and there is nothing demeaning or glorious about that.

When asked about the possibility to install extra channels for a fifty dollars fee, the Cable Guy makes a serious, dangerous face and asks if that means a bribe and the illegal endeavor which is punishable with years in prison…

There is nothing of the kind involved, retorts the scared Steven, to see that the weird interlocutor is laughing and accepting the idea on the spot, even inviting the “new friend” to see the special antenna where they broadcast programs – was it?

Steven is lukewarm, polite in saying sure, we will see each other around – making one think of Jerry Seinfeld and his comments on “see you around”, which is indefinite for there would be no seeing around in most cases…

However, the next day, a car honk is persistent outside the apartment, when Steven looks outside, the Cable Company van is waiting, with the impatient, peculiar young man waving next to it.

When Steven plays basketball with friends, including Rick aka Jack Black, a surprise guest walks on the court, makes some very silly, funny warming exercises, only to play viciously, aggressively to the point where he uses Rick as an unguessing human trampoline to score some points and break the panel in the process.

Steven Kovacs tries to make it clear that they are not friends, since he does not know this bizarre intruder, whose behavior in the friendly game has been unacceptable and violent.

Nevertheless, this Cable Guy would just not give up, taking his “new buddy” to a special dinner, at the “supposedly best restaurant „in town, Medieval Eatery or something of the kind, where the outfits fit the middle ages.

Janeane Garofalo has a few seconds of screen time as an overworked, somewhat outraged server, having to cope with the overbearing, difficult style of the Cable Guy, who has a surprise for his friend…

They have to fight on the arena, using weapons from centuries ago and vicious tactics, such as pretending there is a serious injury, only to kick and attack the unsuspecting opponent, up to the point where he seems just about to kill him.

When the “new friend” is drawing the line, stating that this has gone far enough and they need to stop, the strange character decides to engage in some nefarious actions, contacting the girlfriend to try and “infiltrate” the inner circle.

Before they “split”, the inventive, effective intruder organizes a party, where there is some amusing karaoke – with the rather good singer… Jim Carrey giving his version of…Somebody to Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7mGoKD2sg.

At this shindig, Steven meets a very attractive, apparently solitary girl who wants to move to another room, where she gives the host a massage, after which they have sex and she leaves in the morning.

When Steven asks the Cable Guy – who has quite a few false names – about the girl, he says she is gone, then states that she was “his treat”, creating confusion – what do you mean, your treat? –

Next time, you will pay!

You mean she was a prostitute?

Of course she is…girls like her never spend time with men like us otherwise…puff…

The Cable Guy insinuates somehow in the middle of the family, getting friendly with the father – the legendary George Segal – and the now famous and popular Bob Odenkirk, who does not even have a line as Steve’s brother…

They all play some uncomfortable, rather absurd game of pornographic access codes, wherein Steve has to use mimic in front of his mother, in order to make her say words like vagina, penis and the like…

The amusement is soon ending, as the motion picture veers into thriller territory when the Cable Guy proves to be a mental case, threatening the integrity, indeed the life of his “false friend” and those close to him.