There's Something About There's Something About Mary

by Jenna Schultz

The movie, There’s Something About Mary, stars Ben Stiller (Ted) and Cameron Diaz (Mary). Ted is somewhat of a nerd and definitely not Mary’s type in High School. Mary asks Ted to prom, but it does not end happening after a painful zipper accident. After several years, they cross paths again. Ted is still in love with Mary and the private investigator he hired to follow her, also falls in love with her. The private investigator, Pat, tells Ted that Mary has become overweight and had children, which was untrue. Ted goes to find her on his own to investigate. Pat and Ted spend the majority of the film trying to win Mary over, along with some other suitors who fall in love with Mary along the way.  Brett Favre is one of the suitors whom Ted tries to set Mary back up with because he feels unworthy for lying to her about hiring the private investigator. Eventually, Mary decides she would be the happiest with Ted and he wins the girl in the end.

There’s Something About Mary is a movie that is both a steam valve and a challenge to the rules of society. According to Geoff King, “Films such as Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary and Me, Myself and Irene revolve around familiar tales about losers or no-hopers who achieve success, of one kind or another, even if they do not always get the girl in the end (as in the former): very familiar Hollywood narrative stuff” (King, 69). King discusses the film as being appealing to mostly young men, even though it is a romantic comedy. Many men prefer the “gross-out” comedy films.  The material is usually offensive, but most find it hilarious. For example, when Ted experiences his zipper accident, it may be gross, but it is funny at the same time. Typically, people enjoy laughing at the pain of others, especially because it is not at their expense. Most people think, “How does that even happen?” because the comedic part is so overly dramatic and the idiocy is very apparent. The point is to make the targeted audience laugh and that is achieved through “gross-out” comedy in many ways. In fact, some individuals prefer that type of movie. 

King also discusses political correctness. He states, “A key measure of virtue in There’s Something About Mary, for example, is a positive attitude towards Mary’s brother Warren, a character with learning difficulties” (75). Many people find it offensive and crude when people with disabilities are made fun of or portrayed poorly in movies. There’s Something About Mary portrays Warren in a good light. Although there are some grotesque parts of the movie, it is still comedic and enjoyable to watch.

King, Geoff. Film Comedy. London: Wallflower, 2002. Print.