“Me, Myself, and Irene” is a 2000 American comedy film directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, starring Jim Carrey in a dual role as Charlie Baileygates, a Rhode Island state trooper with a split personality disorder, and Hank Evans, his alter ego. The film also stars Renee Zellweger, Chris Cooper, and Robert Forster.
The movie tells the story of Charlie Baileygates, a mild-mannered and submissive Rhode Island state trooper who is continually bullied and taken advantage of by others. After years of suppressing his anger and frustration, Charlie develops a split personality disorder, with his aggressive and violent alter ego, Hank Evans, taking over when he is provoked.
The plot thickens when Charlie is assigned to escort Irene Waters, played by Renee Zellweger, to New York City to face charges for alleged embezzlement. Along the way, they encounter a variety of challenges and obstacles, including corrupt cops, a group of dwarf wrestlers, and a wealthy businessman played by Chris Cooper, who is after Irene for his own purposes.
As the journey progresses, Charlie and Irene develop feelings for each other, but Charlie’s alter ego, Hank, becomes increasingly volatile and threatens to sabotage their relationship. Ultimately, Charlie must confront and overcome his own inner demons in order to win back Irene and find inner peace.
Overall, “Me, Myself, and Irene” is a comedy with a mix of physical gags, crude humor, and emotional moments. While it received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, grossing over $140 million worldwide.
Production
The film was directed by the Farrelly brothers, Peter and Bobby, who are known for their work on other comedy films such as “There’s Something About Mary” and “Dumb and Dumber.” The screenplay was written by the Farrelly brothers, along with Mike Cerrone.
The movie was produced by the Farrelly brothers, Bradley Thomas, and Charles B. Wessler. It was filmed on location in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont, with a budget of approximately $51 million.
The film features a number of comedic set pieces and physical gags, including several scenes involving Jim Carrey’s character, Charlie, and his alter ego, Hank. The movie’s soundtrack includes a mix of classic rock songs and original compositions by composer Pete Yorn.
Overall, “Me, Myself, and Irene” was a high-profile production with an experienced cast and crew, and it was a commercial success upon its release in 2000.
Actors
“Me, Myself, and Irene” features a number of well-known actors in leading roles, including:
- Jim Carrey as Charlie Baileygates / Hank Evans
- Renee Zellweger as Irene Waters
- Chris Cooper as Lieutenant Gerke
- Robert Forster as Colonel Partington
- Richard Jenkins as Agent Boshane
- Daniel Greene as Dickie Thurman
- Anthony Anderson as Jamaal Baileygates
- Mongo Brownlee as Lee Harvey Baileygates
Jim Carrey’s performance in the movie is notable for his portrayal of the two distinct personalities of Charlie and Hank, which required a range of physical and vocal acting skills. Renee Zellweger, who had previously appeared in “Jerry Maguire” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” plays the female lead and love interest of Carrey’s character.
The supporting cast includes a number of familiar faces, including Chris Cooper, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Adaptation,” and Richard Jenkins, who has since appeared in films such as “The Visitor” and “The Shape of Water.” Overall, the cast of “Me, Myself, and Irene” features a mix of comedic and dramatic actors who help bring the film’s unique blend of humor and heart to life.
Reviews
“Me, Myself, and Irene” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Some praised the film for its comedic performances, particularly Jim Carrey’s dual role as Charlie and Hank, while others criticized it for its crude humor and inconsistent tone.
The movie currently holds a 48% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from 133 critics. The site’s consensus states: “Jim Carrey is hilarious in the slapstick comedy Me, Myself, and Irene, but the movie is bogged down by an inconsistent tone.”
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film two stars out of four, writing: “This is a well-made movie, but it has a lot of uncomfortable laughs and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.” Conversely, Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+ grade, calling it “a kind of slapstick Fellini.”
Despite mixed reviews, “Me, Myself, and Irene” was a commercial success, grossing over $140 million worldwide at the box office. The movie has since become a cult classic among fans of Jim Carrey’s comedic work.
