The Majestic (2001)
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A Hollywood screenwriter with amnesia is mistaken for a missing World War II soldier in a small town.
The story
In 1951, during the height of McCarthyism, Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton is blacklisted and labeled a communist. After a car accident leaves him with amnesia, he is found by residents of the small town of Lawson. They mistake him for Luke Trimble, a soldier who went missing in action during World War II. Peter is taken in by the townspeople, who treat him as Luke, and he begins to bond with Luke's fiancée, Adele. While helping to renovate the local Majestic movie theater, Peter's presence invigorates the community, even as federal agents begin to track his movements.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1951, Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton is blacklisted for communist sympathies. After a car accident causes amnesia, he is found in Lawson, California, where residents mistake him for Luke Trimble, a soldier missing since WWII. Peter accepts the role of Luke, bonding with Luke's fiancée, Adele, and helping renovate the Majestic movie theater. His presence helps the town heal from post-war grief. However, federal agents tracking the 'communist' Peter eventually arrive. Peter's amnesia clears while watching a movie at The Majestic, and he realizes his true identity. After Luke's father, Harry, suffers a fatal heart attack, Peter allows him to believe he died as his son. Peter eventually tells Adele the truth, but federal agents reveal his identity to the town. Summoned to a congressional hearing, Peter is advised to name other communists to clear his name. Instead, he gives an impassioned speech about American ideals and the First Amendment, swaying the crowd and forcing the committee to release him. He rejects a return to Hollywood's status quo and returns to Lawson, where he marries Adele and continues managing The Majestic.
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 153
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Frank Darabont
- Writers
- Michael Sloane · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jim Carrey · Peter Appleton / Luke Trimble; Bob Balaban · Elvin Clyde; Brent Briscoe · Cecil Coleman; Jeffrey DeMunn · Ernie Cole; Amanda Detmer · Sandra Sinclair; Allen Garfield · Leo Kubelsky; Hal Holbrook · Congressman Doyle; Laurie Holden · Adele Stanton
- Genres
- romantic drama; independent drama
- Themes
- McCarthyism; Identity; Patriotism; Small-town values; Amnesia
- Tone and mood
- Sentimental; Nostalgic; Ponderous
- Premise and plot tags
- Amnesia; Lookalikes; Hollywood Blacklist; Historical Drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original script by Michael Sloane (working title: The Bijou)
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 42% and a Metacritic score of 27. It was a box office failure, grossing $37.3 million against a $72 million budget. However, it received a positive review from Roger Ebert, who praised its ideals and Jim Carrey's performance.
- Production trivia
- The original script had the working title 'The Bijou'.; The film is Frank Darabont's only theatrical film that is not a Stephen King adaptation.; The town of Ferndale, California provided many of the interior and exterior locations.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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