Alrighty then: Jim Carrey is an artist now

There were three notable comedians that I remember seeing consistently in comedies while growing up: Jack Black, Adam Sandler, and Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey was a personal favorite of the three due to his versatility in his roles as an actor and the movies he starred in. Carrey is known for his exaggerated performances and facial expressions– his role in The Mask (1994), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), and Dumb and Dumber (1994)– which demonstrates the archetypal slapstick comedic roles that has him stapled as the lovable and eccentric goofball we know. The three movies mentioned above were also immediate box office successes that surged Jim Carrey’s career. 

Despite Jim Carrey often being associated with his unique goofball roles, he keeps himself from being typecast into these comedic roles as seen through his performances in The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Truman Show. The themes of The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and The Truman Show (1998) take a more serious and an emotional tone that reflected the feelings of Carrey during those times. While his movie Liar Liar does intermix serious tones and comedy, Jim Carrey still retains his stapled goofiness that he is typically known for. 

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) evoked a sense of loss and loneliness to me that left me baffled by the melancholy of Carrey’s performance; especially when I and many others were used to his slapstick and comedic persona. Furthermore, Carrey’s role in The Truman Show (1998) presented the issue of the obsession with movies, television, and even celebrities from a superficial lens when analyzing the movie. However, on a deeper level (or at least how I resonated with the movie), was the struggles with everyday motions of life, and the urge to do more and be more than what has been drilled into us through routine. Both The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and The Truman Show (1998) highlight the awe-inspiring performances of Jim Carrey, and his adaptability to more than just slapstick comedy. 

Recently, in 2017 Netflix released a documentary called Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond that documented Jim Carrey’s iconic impersonation of Andy Kauffman in Man on the Moon in 1999. The documentary gives an insight to the artistic mind and method of Jim Carrey, and further demonstrates his infamous status as an impersonator and an actor. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond illustrates to viewers through this behind the scenes of how Carrey became his character full-time, and stood by it despite the stress and legal consequences his impersonations may have inflicted during production. Jim Carrey provides insight to not only his life story and his success, but he also provides his own philosophy and views about living life. Carrey touches on the dichotomy between being an actor and the authentic self– a look into the contrast of an actor and the role they immerse themselves into. The documentary illuminates on the artistic mind and philosophy of Jim Carrey that many of us have overlooked. 

Continuing on documentaries, the documentary (I Need Color (2017)) and the sixteen minute segment (Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee that featured Jim Carrey) gave viewers as to where Jim Carrey has been since his last big movie: Dumb and Dumber To (2016). Carrey revealed in both that he has been painting for the last six years, and gave a brief tour of his studio and paintings; which showed a glimpse to Jim Carrey as a painter and not an actor in the entertainment industry. Carrey is just as expressive and phenomenal in his painting as he is in his acting. While his artistic talent as a painter has been apparently known for years, it became more apparent recently through his recent paintings that he has been posting on his Twitter that do take a political stance.

Here are a select few:

All the paintings can be found on Jim Carrey’s twitter page, along with his comments.

Through looking at how Carrey has embraced and opened up more about his paintings, demonstrates his versatility as a creator, as well as an artist. Whether Jim Carrey goes back into show business and does another box office success is unknown.

Carrey seems to be immersed and content in his new direction as a painter, despite the political controversy they may impose. I do hope that he will eventually open a art gallery in the near future because that would allow the public to view his work in person.

Actor turned artist, Jim Carrey continues to entertain us through his creative style.

-Lina