One of
the latest narratives in the 'stranger than fiction' genre that comes to mind
is the current claim by Canadian actor Jim Carrey that he can no longer support
the violence in his new film, apparently scheduled for an August 2013 release.
Now Against Violence
Now Against Violence
The movie
supposedly depicts violence, which Carrey claims to now disavow, even
though he likely didn’t have any qualms
about taking his paycheque, which was probably more money than most average
people will ever see in their lifetimes.
In
fairness, Carrey says he made the film about a month before the infamous
bloodbath at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut in December.
He implies he felt all right making the film, complete with its apparent
violence, before the Sandy Hook shootings. Now, though, Carrey denounces the film’s
violence. He says he’s not ashamed of the movie, “but recent events have caused
a change in my heart" (http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2013/06/24/jim-carrey-kick-ass-support-violence-gun-control.html).
Yet, why would Carrey not be ashamed of the film, especially if he believes, as he suggests he does, that the movie's violence might be harmful or offensive to children or others?
Yet, why would Carrey not be ashamed of the film, especially if he believes, as he suggests he does, that the movie's violence might be harmful or offensive to children or others?
Motivation
When all is said and done,Carrey’s motives in his anti-violence message regarding his new movie are debatable, and his comments are worthy of being in the same league as Ripley’s Believe it or Not: we know he said these things, but his comments are hard to believe.
Consider Carrey’s profession: he’s an actor and comedian. When he makes movies he is making his living and his money by pretending. In this context, in Carrey's recent public comments denouncing the apparent violence in his new movie, he seems to be suggesting he does not want people to go and see the film.
The Art of Pretense
Carrey seems to be trying to convince us, or himself, that he doesn't support the movie. In fact, though, he could be pretending. Because he works in an industry where pretending is the name of the game, his condemnation of the apparent violence in his new film might be just an act; a gimmick to get people interested in the movie.
In other words, Carrey might be just pretending to be upset with the movie's apparent violence, to get people to pay attention to his film when it comes out in a month or so.
Worried
There is at least one other possible reason for Carrey's recent comments: perhaps he feels insecure about his own performance in the film and is worried about being criticized. If so, Carrey might be trying to prepare critics and audiences in advance, to lessen the potential backlash against him if they don't like his performance.
Raising Questions
Regardless of Carrey's actual reasons for making his recent comments about his new movie, his remarks raise some questions about his honesty, ethics, and motives. For instance:
When all is said and done,Carrey’s motives in his anti-violence message regarding his new movie are debatable, and his comments are worthy of being in the same league as Ripley’s Believe it or Not: we know he said these things, but his comments are hard to believe.
Consider Carrey’s profession: he’s an actor and comedian. When he makes movies he is making his living and his money by pretending. In this context, in Carrey's recent public comments denouncing the apparent violence in his new movie, he seems to be suggesting he does not want people to go and see the film.
The Art of Pretense
Carrey seems to be trying to convince us, or himself, that he doesn't support the movie. In fact, though, he could be pretending. Because he works in an industry where pretending is the name of the game, his condemnation of the apparent violence in his new film might be just an act; a gimmick to get people interested in the movie.
In other words, Carrey might be just pretending to be upset with the movie's apparent violence, to get people to pay attention to his film when it comes out in a month or so.
Worried
There is at least one other possible reason for Carrey's recent comments: perhaps he feels insecure about his own performance in the film and is worried about being criticized. If so, Carrey might be trying to prepare critics and audiences in advance, to lessen the potential backlash against him if they don't like his performance.
Raising Questions
Regardless of Carrey's actual reasons for making his recent comments about his new movie, his remarks raise some questions about his honesty, ethics, and motives. For instance:
- If Carrey really objects so much to his new movie’s apparent violence why did he not demand his name be removed from the credits?
- Why did Carrey not return his paycheque, on principle and to prove he’s serious about his current claims denouncing the movie’s apparent violence?
- Why did Carrey not denounce the film’s apparent violence immediately after the Sandy Hook shootings, instead of doing so a matter of weeks before the movie’s release?
- Why did Carrey not file an injunction against the movie’s production company to halt the release of the film?
- Could Carrey merely be ‘going through the motions’ of denouncing the movie’s violence, as a clever and carefully-planned marketing and promotional technique?
- Is Carrey actually doing a splendid job of promoting his new film to ensure it is seen by as many people as possible—ironically, by suggesting people should not see the violence in the movie?
Fact or Fiction
Ultimately, Carrey's recent remarks about the apparent violence in his new movie seem questionable. This is because when he condemns his new film's violence he also seems to suggest he does not support the movie, which supposedly comes out in a few weeks.
Yet, in doing so, Carrey is actually promoting the film and getting the media and others to pay attention to it.
Believe it Or Not
In Carrey's own way, then, he could be trying to brace himself for a box-office smash or a dismal failure; or something in-between. And believe it or not, all of this might be a case of truth being stranger than fiction, since Carrey's recent comments could just be part of a marketing strategy. It's enough to make Ripley proud.
Ultimately, Carrey's recent remarks about the apparent violence in his new movie seem questionable. This is because when he condemns his new film's violence he also seems to suggest he does not support the movie, which supposedly comes out in a few weeks.
Yet, in doing so, Carrey is actually promoting the film and getting the media and others to pay attention to it.
Believe it Or Not
In Carrey's own way, then, he could be trying to brace himself for a box-office smash or a dismal failure; or something in-between. And believe it or not, all of this might be a case of truth being stranger than fiction, since Carrey's recent comments could just be part of a marketing strategy. It's enough to make Ripley proud.
