A young screenwriter named Pete, who referred to himself as a ‘B-lister’ and wished to establish himself and moved onto the ‘A list’. As his chance finally came to push forth his best worth yet, he was flagged as a ‘Communist’ and his files were taken away. He was also given a boot at work, which resulted in his actress girlfriend dumping him. Devastated, he packed up and went to a bar for a drink. The only guy that would take a risk to talk to him was the bartender who seemed genuinely concerned for him and wished he wouldn’t drive while he was in that state–both drunk and disoriented. But he did not care to take the advice, babbling about wanting to leave with the ‘monkey’ (which was a stuffed monkey that he had packed along with his belongings at the office). Driving for some distance, he encountered a rat on a bridge and had to veer off course, hitting on the side of the bridge. Attempting to get out of the mess, his engine stalled. Worse came to worse, when it rained it poured (literally). He did not want to give up, still giving the car another try. Though it started up again, he ended up taking a dunk into the water.
The next day, he woke up along the seaside (or beachside?) and realized a dog was licking his face. Then he heard a man’s voice, telling the dog to go away. An old man appeared by his side and asked about his well-being. The old man soon helped him up and led him to town. The town was a semi-deserted one since it was just barely morning around that time, where businesses were supposedly opening up for the day. He was told of the historical landmark and its references to the war, how many they’d lost. Then he was brought into a diner and was introduced to Mabel–who gave him some food and coffee after having permission from a customer (that the order could be given to the young man first). When the doctor finally entered, it appeared that about three people had found him familiar. The customer, another old man–Harry, looked after the three when they finally left the shop, supposedly going to the doctor’s place for a checkup. After an inspection, the doctor told him that he had lost his memory with what had happened to him. It was later found out that Pete was told he was ‘Luke’–a soldier who supposedly died in the war, but somehow came back. And Harry–the one at the diner–was the one who claimed to be his father, taking him back home with him. Indeed, it was revealed later the old man’s son looked exactly like Pete.
Pete/Luke finally gave in to his fatigue and slept for a night and most of a day. When he woke up, his father told him his idea of re-opening ‘The Majestic’. He claimed that it would work because of the legends and the ‘odds’ were all there and that it was better than sitting around and watching a box at home (aka television). Luke was doubtful about it, but seeing his father so passionate about it, he soon dropped it with the devil’s advocate. Though that seemed temporary. The next part was showing them visiting the graveyard.
(I had to step away from the TV for a while and didn’t catch some parts of it SO I have a gap here.)
At the welcome party, a young woman appeared and was surprised to see Luke there. He called out to her as ‘Adele’, clarifying that he’d seen her picture. She asked if he remembered her and he replied no but that he would try. They ended up going to the town hall after dismissing all the other townspeople who were following them from behind. She was showing him different places to try and circulate his memory. They ended up walking and talking. She was puzzled as to why he remembered living at the place but not his life. The conversation continued at the lighthouse where they watched the sunset.
(Had to step away from the TV again SO another gap for me.)
Anyway, Luke came to pick Adele up and they were soon at the ‘Welcome Home Luke’ gathering. That night, the townspeople were really getting together with the joyous atmosphere and the music. Luke felt he was really a part of the town. The crowd soon parted and gave way for Luke and Adele’s romantic moment. That soon faded and the music changed to upbeat again, letting the others joined in with the dance around the scene. Though the atmosphere was heart-warming and the night cheerful, yet Adele’s father (the doc) expressed some concern regarding Luke’s life these past years when he left them, ruling out other possibilities. But Harry dismissed it, saying he did not care as long as Luke was back by his side again. They did not dwell since it was time for reminiscing and some more focus on Luke. He was soon called upon and was told he played excellent piano so he had to try and recall it–though he had no memory at all of how to play the piano. (Super awkward moment yet he tried.) He ended up playing swing instead of the typical routine that he was told. The old woman who requested that Luke played for her was beyond herself, demanding that Luke stopped playing and asked him where he had learned it BUT Luke was soon rescued and the others ended up dancing happily to the music.
Luke went home after walking Adele home. He was greeted by Bob (who worked at Mabel’s diner) and was warned to stop hurting the people in town–whatever game it was that Luke was playing. Bob claimed to know Luke and did not really like him AND claimed that he did not like the current ‘Luke’ either BUT he had a feeling the person standing in front of him wasn’t really Luke. Bob attacked Luke and then disappeared into the night. Luke ended up at the theater and saw an old film showing on the screen. He found Harry in the back and Harry told him about the first film they showed and how much Luke mother’s had loved it. Luke spoke up, calling Harry ‘Dad’, making Harry so happy that it made it even harder for Luke to say whatever it was he was going to say. Instead, he stepped out of the room and let his old man be. (Probably one of those feelings that he knew Bob was right, that he wasn’t Luke, but it was hard to break it to them. Not to mention how much Harry missed his son AND it would be too hard to prove it because he lost his memory of who he really was.)
Morning came and they were opening up ‘The Majestic’ again. (So it seemed that whatever parts I missed, Luke had agreed to his father’s suggestion in re-opening the place.) It seemed hopeful since everyone was united with renovation and whatnot. That led to them visiting the townhouse and requesting for denotations of various sorts. The townspeople were all heart, considering how they were willing to chip in with whatever they could spare out of their shops, etc. And so they went to work and made the place alive and presentable again.
While things were going quite well with the renovation and all, the scene zoomed to some kids playing by the seaside. One boy discovered a monkey all beat up on the ground and was urged to go by his friends. They ran along and soon found a car nearby. An investigation was launched and it was concluded that the car must have been driven into the river and ended up where they were (by the sea). In fact, some pieces were fallen into place.
After a memorial/reflection moment at the center of the town, ‘The Majestic’ opened that night. They were greeted by the crowd. Though nervous yet they were beyond happy to see the support of so many people. Even Bob came–and seemed to give Luke a smile of acknowledgment. NOT because he was Luke but because Bob seemed to make peace with the guy already, seeing the effort put in these past times in order to open ‘The Majestic’ again. That night, they had another good news–Adele had passed the bar exam. (She only shared it with Luke though.)
Coincidences of all coincidences, Luke ended up showing the movie that he was part of the writing team (aka as Pete). His memory seemed to be triggered as he watched the movie on the screen. He was able to chant the words by scene–even before it was said. That shocked him and he ended up stumbling over to the movie poster again, tracing the name on the poster–his name as Pete Appleton. At around the same time, Harry had a stumble and he missed the reel change. They rushed into the control room and found Harry unconscious. Pete yelled for the others to go call for help while he tried to revive Harry. Harry only joked about missing the reel when he awakened and Pete told him not to move.
Doc told them that Harry had fluids in his lung and Pete offered to take Harry to the hospital yet Doc said that there wasn’t anything they could do for him at the hospital that they could do at home. After Doc left, Pete went in to see Harry. He wanted to confess to Harry that he wasn’t really Luke by saying, “I’m not…” but he was not able to say it and instead, he improvised and said, “Not ready to say goodbye.” (That was truly touching as the two exchange those last words before Harry passed away.) As the funeral was proceeding with Pete stepping forward to shake some hands to those who had attended, two men were seen snapping pictures away. (For the purpose of the occasion or an investigation?)
After the ceremony, Pete walked by himself and was stopped by Adele, who was asking about his well-being. (Why do people do that when it’s a funeral? NO, I’m not picking on her. I always wonder why since it’s obvious they’re not okay no matter how good your intention is to make them feel better. It’s not just in movies either, but everywhere too.) Anyway, Pete finally told Adele the truth that Harry wasn’t his father and how he wasn’t Luke either. And Adele had known it. (I knew that too since I could see her reaction at times, not really believing it, kept asking questions.) Adele stormed off after mumbling about making a fool of herself, and Pete chased after her to be greeted with some rows of cars coming toward them. Good timing since it was the federal agents coming to inform him he had to appear in court or he would be jailed. After a talk behind closed doors, Pete stepped outside to face the townspeople. They only stared at him for a while and then walked off. Bob gave him a dirty look–nice closing scene. (NOT…) What suck the most was that he wasn’t trying to deceive them, he just lost his memory and just regained them recently. But who the world would believe that now since they could’ve thought he was trying to run from the government, etc.
So business resumed at ‘The Majestic’ but things weren’t so up there with the amount of commotion. So the workers went home and Pete had a talk with Leo. (Was Leo one of the lawyers? I had forgotten that bit since it was several hours back.) But anyway, Leo told Pete to read some statements so that the government would let him off. It did not matter if he wasn’t even a Communist before. I actually liked some of the phrases that Leo said. Though it sounded depressing, it might as well be true to some extent, the way things were operated. Emmett soon returned and told him that he knew Pete wasn’t Luke since the night he heard Pete perform at the home-welcoming party. Yet he was still willing to keep the secret, wanting to bring hope to Lawson. Pete said that they did not need him anymore and that he was going to return to his life in L.A.
When Pete was dressed ready to go to the train station the next morning, he was confronted by Adele and she concluded that she really had confused the two of them–aka Pete and Luke. When he arrived at the station, he was given a package and it was actually a book ‘Constitution of the United States’. A letter fell out and Pete read it, realizing it was Luke’s last letter to Adele. (AND wow, Matt Damon’s voice! What a surprise! But of course, they have to give Luke’s character a different feeling.)
Though seeming to be passive toward him after realizing that he wasn’t Luke, many of the townspeople actually tuned in to the trial as Pete was testifying. After some round of questions, he was told to read his statement, which he was about to but no longer could because he felt it was a lie (as it was). He ended up folding the piece of paper and disregarding it in totality, going by his own words. He confronted the whole committee, stating that he was not Luke Trimble, but if Luke Trimble were there, what would he think of the America that he died defending? And that it was no longer his America. (Luke’s that was.) Some more powerful statements were said. Indeed, it was a matter of principle and brought many good points toward the first amendment. (Yet sadly, too many people are abusing that amendment nowadays too.)
After saying what he really wanted to say, Pete left the room and was asked to stay yet he continued on his way. The press had a field day and he was soon back into the car and on the road again. It was revealed that the person who named him out to be a ‘Communist’ was the so-called ‘girl’ who he wanted to pursue once upon a time. The way things were, he was now free and his life was back.
The next scene zoomed into him sitting there like at the beginning and was listening to the guys arguing and working the script. This time, he did not say “Wow, that was something…” but said, “Wow, that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” So that ended his career–supposedly. And he was back in Lawson, having sent a telegram to Adele. Yet he had no idea that the whole town of Lawson was welcoming him home. Even Bob. (LOL!)
The typical happy ending yet it wasn’t too cheesy. Pete and Adele got married and had a son.
For a non-Jim Carrey fan, I thought this movie was really good and Jim did really well for his role. (Don’t shoot me for that comment since I was never into his comedic ones, except for Liar Liar.) This movie was really something. And perhaps because I didn’t know much about it, except having watched the commercial during the times it was out in theaters, that made me enjoy it more. No spoilers. It was really something. Really touching.
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