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The Cable Guy main poster

The Cable Guy

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6.0/10 • 2.4K

1996-06-101h 36m

ComedyDramaThriller

There's no such thing as free cable.

When recently single Steven moves into his new apartment, cable guy Chip comes to hook him up—and doesn't let go. Initially, Chip is just overzealous in his desire to be Steven's pal, but when Steven tries to end the 'friendship', Chip shows his dark side. He begins stalking Steven, who's left to fend for himself because no one else can believe Chip's capable of such behaviour.

Directors
Ben Stiller
Editors
Steven Weisberg

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Jim Carrey

    Jim Carrey

    The Cable Guy

  2. Matthew Broderick

    Matthew Broderick

    Steven M. Kovacs

  3. Leslie Mann

    Leslie Mann

    Robin Harris

  4. Jack Black

    Jack Black

    Rick

  5. George Segal

    George Segal

    Steven's Father

  6. Diane Baker

    Diane Baker

    Steven's Mother

  7. Ben Stiller

    Ben Stiller

    Sam Sweet / Stan Sweet

  8. Eric Roberts

    Eric Roberts

    Eric Roberts

  9. Janeane Garofalo

    Janeane Garofalo

    Medieval Times Waitress

Reviews1

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Jun 15, 2020

7/10

Dark slice of comedy pie from Carrey & Stiller. As with everything in life, the internet also has its good and bad angles. Here with The Cable Guy, I myself salute the internet highway and in particular the many users of IMDb who have come forth to support this most divisive of movies. Lambasted on release by regarded critics and chided by many a cinema goer who went in expecting Mask & Ace Ventura like fluff, The Cable Guy was thought to be the death knell for Carrey's career. It wasn't of course. He would revert to pleasing box office friendly type the following year with "Liar Liar", and would continue to surprise with his choice of roles, and the performances with them, in the likes of "The Truman Show", "Man On The Moon" & "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind". As a point of reference with his career overview, The Cable Guy stands up as a bold choice by Carrey, and one that serves notice of his willingness, and ability, to take on more challenging roles. The film itself is a mixture of high Carrey comedy mixed with dark, almost horror undertones. The thematics of loneliness and the need for companionship makes for an odd bedfellow with the berserker antics of Carrey as he plays off of Matthew Broderick's ordinary Joe. Yet director Ben Stiller, the cop out finale aside, has achieved the cheeky fusion with much success. Utilising Carrey's energy as both a force of comic nature, and a bubbling under the surface desperado loony tune. Along the way, well before it goes real dark and gets edgy, we are treated to some delightful comedy moments. A Karaoke sequence and dinner at Medieval Times stand out, but the knowing jokes referencing movies and the TV infatuated world are also unheralded, and astute stabs of fun. Far from perfect it be, but it's a film that was badly timed, or even, misunderstood by the scribes of the time. Thank the lord for the internet for we can now find those prepared to admit they like much about The Cable Guy. Yes, I be one of those hardy souls too. 7/10

Media

  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster
  • The Cable Guy poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$47,000,000.00
Revenue
$102,825,796.00
Keywords
prisonprostitutekaraokeobsessiondark comedymedievalcable guyfrenemies