He seems like the exact same person in every movie I've ever seen him in. I like him...don't get me wrong. It's just that his breadth of acting ability seems quite narrow. Compare that to Jim Carrey, for example, who is able to differentiate his characters in each of his films. I didn't feel like I was watching Ace Ventura whilst watching The Cable Guy, but I did feel like I was watching Ferris Bueller.
shareI kind of get what you're saying.
Broderick's character in this film is EXACTLY like the character he played in that Christmas movie he did with Danny Devito.
Prob his best effort was War Games.
He just hasn't aged well. Not that he's ugly or anything, he's just short, a little doughy, and not very masculine
When he was young he could play the cool guy because he was "cute" and looked like your typical 80's teen star, like Michael J Fox
But as an adult he became synonymous with playing a dorky underdog. He is essentially the same character in Cable Guy, Election, and Deck The Halls. A pathetic, milquetoast everyman. It didn't help that his attempts at being a mainstream leading man failed miserably. Godzilla and Inspector Gadget are shit films
It's a typical case of Hollywood typecasting. I think he could have made a very good character actor, maybe taking on a few antagonist supporting roles. Like a scummy or cowardly politician or a criminal businessman
He apparently has 2 Tony awards for his acting, so I don't think he is actually bad. And from what I know he does more stage work than film work nowadays. So maybe he just stopped trying and focused his talents on his real passion
WHattt your are saying that Godzilla wasn't that good@?!?!?! how dare you sir
shareIt's funny you say that, because while I agree that Broderick has a "type" that he hits and doesn't usually display a lot of range, I'm not sure this is the best showcase for Jim Carrey's capabilities. I always saw him as just doing his "Jim Carrey thing" with the mannerisms and the mugging. His approach is "be wacky", which is what he did in The Mask, Liar, Liar, Ace Ventura, and Dumb and Dumber.
It's only in films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Truman Show that he started to really show his range.
I actually think it was Carrey who was the weak link. Fans expecting typical Carrey were disappointed whereas everyone else was misled.
shareI don't disagree to some extent. I don't think the material was tailored to Carrey's style. That sounds weird to say since it's a Jim Carrey kind of vehicle, but I think The Cable Guy gets a bit victimized by try to square-peg-round-hole Carrey's wacky shenanigans into a dark, sinister character.
Bill Murray would have been a way tighter fit. Kinda like the Evil version of Bob Wiley.
Tom Hanks could've been cool, too.
I think the script needed an actor who could be funny, dark, but also who was prepared to nestle into the actual character instead of branding it with their own "persona".
It's a matter of taste. I like Matthew Broderick, but agree he's made some stinkers--but what actor hasn't?! See Glory and THEN try to tell me he's a bad actor! Anyway I personally don't particularly like Jim Carrey; he's a comedian who isn't that funny. Not compared to say Robin Williams.
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