Dumb and Dumber (1997)

63% of critics liked it
(46 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(947,506 ratings)

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters… More Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place; the guys also have a certain problem (not difficult to understand) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary, and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport, he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight (though not for lack of trying). Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog (to promote his failing dog-grooming business), and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money, which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally, Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago, he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Written By: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Bennett Yellin
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 16, 1994 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 1997
Studio: Turner Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Dumb and Dumber, which features Carrey and Jeff Daniels as nitwits traveling cross-country, is a frayed string of gags posing as a movie. Carrey, though, does literal-minded doofdom with peerless enthusiasm.
Variety Staff, Variety
The wholeheartedness of this descent into crude and rude humor is so good-natured and precise that it's hard not to partake in the guilty pleasures of the exercise.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This is a long way from the social comedy of Jerry Lewis. The characters here are ultimately turned into punching bags or punch-line dispensers.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A movie that fully lives up to its name, right down to an opening credit sequence rife with intentional misspellings and grammatical errors.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
An uneven collection of bodily function jokes, facial gyrations, sexual jibes and pedestrian slapstick.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
An execrable catalogue of doody jokes, Dumb and Dumber is an abominable, abdominal comedy.
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media
The caviar of low-brow, gross-out comedy.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The Farrellys' knack for stupid, Three Stooges-esque comedy writ larger by an infusion of heart excels with the complementary screen teaming of manic Jim Carrey and consummate screen actor Jeff Daniels. [Blu-ray]
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
You come away from the film smiling and thinking it wasn't the complete waste of time you figured on. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...it tickles the funny bone often enough to merit serious consideration among lowbrow comedies.
Mark Dinning, Empire Magazine
[Featrues] a plethora of memorable scenes.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This gleefully lowbrow film is best enjoyed by the young, and by those who can still laugh at the passing of gas.
, Film4
Gross to the max but very funny, this succeeds through energy, ingenuity and -- against all the odds -- the charm of its dopey leads.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Well titled and, for its purpose, a total success.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Gone are the days of John Belushi, where rudeness was raised to an art form.
, Time Out
Given American cinema's current obsession with innocence and ignorance, at least this never romanticises its protagonists. They are genuinely, irredeemably, 100 per cent no-hopers.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
A gross-out classic.
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
we can see a lot of these laughs coming, and they don't hold much staying power

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Scott G

Dumb is a complete understatement, Dumber still doesn't cut the grade.
Tsubaki S

Did you pay the gas man?
Brad W

Dumb and Dumber is one of the funniest films ever. The plot was so stupid, and thats the reason I loved it, its called Dumb and Dumber for a reason. The cast is great, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are totally unforgettable. The comedy was great, this film was hilarious. This movie… More
Dumb and Dumber is one of the funniest films ever. The plot was so stupid, and thats the reason I loved it, its called Dumb and Dumber for a reason. The cast is great, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are totally unforgettable. The comedy was great, this film was hilarious. This movie is great, a must see.
Alexander D

This is truly Jim Carrey's masterpiece. It's not the film itself that is dumb; it's just the two main characters. In fact, if there was an Academy Award for Best Comedic Actor, Carrey would have won in 1994 because of DUMB AND DUMBER. If you see the prequel, DUMB AND… More
This is truly Jim Carrey's masterpiece. It's not the film itself that is dumb; it's just the two main characters. In fact, if there was an Academy Award for Best Comedic Actor, Carrey would have won in 1994 because of DUMB AND DUMBER. If you see the prequel, DUMB AND DUMBERER: WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD, don't expect that to be anything like this. The original, from beginning to end, is abundant with original humor and many laughs.
Directors C

Dumb and Dumber is one of the silliest movies ever made. It has a simple plot but there are a lot of laughs along the way through the film. Jim and Jeff make a great screen couple and the characters of Harry and Lloyd are just hilarious and adorable. At times it goes to far but its… More
Dumb and Dumber is one of the silliest movies ever made. It has a simple plot but there are a lot of laughs along the way through the film. Jim and Jeff make a great screen couple and the characters of Harry and Lloyd are just hilarious and adorable. At times it goes to far but its certainly entertaining.
Melvin W

Lloyd: We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF! Dumb and Dumber is comedic genius from The Farrelly Brothers. This is the one movie they've made that I absolutely love. Everything else I can take or leave, but this is truly hilarious. It features scene… More
Lloyd: We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF! Dumb and Dumber is comedic genius from The Farrelly Brothers. This is the one movie they've made that I absolutely love. Everything else I can take or leave, but this is truly hilarious. It features scene after scene of incredibly funny dialogue and situations. I grew up on this movie and I've had to have seen it at least a dozen times now and it just never gets old. From the opening scene to the last scene; this is just a laugh-out-loud comedy. Dumb and Dumber features Jim Carey in probably his funniest role as Lloyd Christmas. I know a lot of people find Carey to not be funny, but annoying. There are a few of his movies though that are just really good(maybe stupid) comedies. Jeff Daniels stars as the other half of Dumb and Dumber. I believe he's Dumb and Carey's Dumber because at least Daniels character can read. "The." These two have perfect chemistry and work really well together to make a really good comedy team. This is a classic comedy that hopefully will never fade away. It is too bad that they had to make a "sequel" to the movie. If you haven't had the displeasure of watching Dumb and Dumberer; don't. Carey and Daniels aren't involved, so there's really no point. They make this movie. Anyone else and it just wouldn't be the same. Dumb and Dumber is one of my favorite comedies; and is one I can watch over and over again. Lloyd: The first time I set eyes on Mary Swanson, I just got that old fashioned romantic feeling where I'd do anything to bone her. Harry: That's a special feeling, Lloyd.
Tyler K

If you like slapstick humor and speech humor, you found your-self one of the best movies you'll see in a long time. It's good, good good good good good. I can't say it isn't one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It... is... good. How many times have… More
If you like slapstick humor and speech humor, you found your-self one of the best movies you'll see in a long time. It's good, good good good good good. I can't say it isn't one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It... is... good. How many times have I said good? If 8 (including the one I just said) of them are in this sentence, then is must be great! Look at the people who hate this and nod your heads in shame... then laugh your butt off at this movie, because it's nearly impossible to watch this movie without doing so... and if you haven't, then you... are a roach! Ha!
Film C

A vaguely amusing and stupid comedy that is quite compelling enough to watch. It really is a simple stupid movie that would lighten up your mood and make you happy but other than that theres not much to it.
Jeff "

Dumb & Dumber is the classic Farrelly Brothers film. If you have to see one fil by them, make it Dumb& Dumber. This is one of the funniest comedies that I have seen, and is one of my favorite too. Granted it's not everyones cup of tea, but to those who love Jim Carrey,… More
Dumb & Dumber is the classic Farrelly Brothers film. If you have to see one fil by them, make it Dumb& Dumber. This is one of the funniest comedies that I have seen, and is one of my favorite too. Granted it's not everyones cup of tea, but to those who love Jim Carrey, especially his early work, then Dumb & Dum,ber remains one film that is probably his best. The idea is simple, and Jeff Daniels & Jim Carrey deliver great comedic performances. Dumb & Dumber is still funny after all these years and is for me, a comedy classic. The film reminds me how Jim Carrey was funny back in the day, while nowadays he's making nothing but trash. Dumb & Dumber is a terrific hilarious film that you can watch with your friends and have great movie night. Sure the film is very stupid, but thats the whole idea of the film. Don't go watching this and expect something smartly crafted like The Shawshank Redemption, because you won't find it here. For what it is, Dumb & Dumber is a well crafted comedy with great gags going for it and if you're looking for something memorable and funny, then you should give this film a viewing. This is one of Carrey's best comedic performances, and it reminds that he was once funny. The Farrelly Brothers have crafted a great comedy with Dumb & Dumber, but to really dig its humour you have to open up your sense of humour a bit as some of the gags here will not appeal to everyone.
Michael E

its so stupid its good
AJ V

Jim Carrey's worst picture! The comedy is so unfunny and idiotic, the title describes it perfectly. If you want to see the ultimate stupid comedy, this is it.
Jameson W

A great comedy movie! Absolutely hilarious, I laughed throughout the entire film. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are perfect, and even more so together. Overall, this is a very good movie. Funny and stupid, but never silly and annoying. I think everyone should see this one at least once.… More
A great comedy movie! Absolutely hilarious, I laughed throughout the entire film. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are perfect, and even more so together. Overall, this is a very good movie. Funny and stupid, but never silly and annoying. I think everyone should see this one at least once. So many great oneliners..."nice hooters you got there." Love it!
Alice S

It's pretty dumb, as the title would suggest. However, I do like the altruistic ending wherein neither of the two main characters gets the girl.
Kase V

The jokes and laughs never get old. Classic comedy, right here. Check please!
Conner R

You'd think that after 16 years, Dumb and Dumber might have lost some of its touch. Not only does it hold up, I think I laugh harder now than I did when it came out. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniel's utterly flawless comedic timing and genuinely convincing performances make this… More
You'd think that after 16 years, Dumb and Dumber might have lost some of its touch. Not only does it hold up, I think I laugh harder now than I did when it came out. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniel's utterly flawless comedic timing and genuinely convincing performances make this movie more than just a comedy. The two are both so good at playing complete morons that you can't find a glitch or corny bit in there. Not only that, but the plot itself is so incredibly bonkers and all over the place that you have no idea if you're watching a hostage movie, romance or a touching story of friendship on top of the laughs. The Farrelly Brothers, for me, have always made comedies that seem to be just the right combination of jokes, character moments and genuine storytelling. This still serves as the prime example of their brilliance behind the camera. It looks great for what it wants to be; a completely 90s interpretation of the world with all of its deranged sensibility.
Dead A

I'm not a fan of Jim Carrey. He always tries too hard to be funny. I watched this because one of my friend recommended me to. It was stupid. I think I laughed once or twice but not more than that. Too much stupidity that irritated me more than enjoying.
Jay H

The title may as well be referring to the film itself.
Richard C

this movie is hilarious, I loved it. A-
Lenny M

Another one of the deleted reviews. Coke float craziness.
KJ P

Really funny! It brings laughs even when it's not even meant to be funny. Jim carrey plays the part perfectly!