There's Something About Mary: SE

There’s something about that dog, man. Puffy pulls the sweetest chick in the whole film and makes out with her right there on the couch, forever breaking down the barriers of inter-species sexual relations. He’s a groundbreaker, man. And more power to him, too. It’s courage like that we should reward, not persecute.

Anyway, dogs aside, this modern classic contains many such moments of groundbreakingnessness for alienated peoples everywhere. Stalkers, masturbators, shoe fetishists, serial killers, bad cops, good cops...
Footballers... the list goes on.

For anyone who’s never heard of this film, this new cut contains over 19 minutes of extended scenes, making the whole thing run for around 125 minutes... which is 19 minutes longer than the previous 106 minutes. And, while these don’t truly bring anything newer or funnier to the film, they do give a novelty edge for anyone still oohing and ahhing about forking out for this film on DVD. In fact, if you’ve always wanted to buy it, this is now the best version to own as the whole thing is spread over two packed dual layer discs and contains both, yes both versions of the film. Plus a shitload of other stuff.

Sorry... that last paragraph started out where I was going to say what the film was actually about but I got sidetracked, so I’ll try that again.
Ahem...
...Y’know, it’s funny. I never really clear my throat in real life before I say anything of import (and perhaps because I rarely say anything of import) yet here I felt the need to. Like making the whole thing more dramatic or something. That’s fairly pretentious, wouldn’t you say? Not to mention treating you, gentle reader, like you aren’t clever enough to figure out that this is an important moment or something. Man that’s rude. To be honest I’m surprised you’re even still reading this and haven’t skipped on to the audio or video bits by now.

Or are you? It’s a clever misrepresentation that, isn’t it? See, for you to be reading it, you know I’m thanking you for doing so. I’m throwing a friendly arm around your shoulder and saying I admire your stick-to-it-iveness. You and me are pals, because the other guys, the ones who aren’t reading this, will never share that unique bond you and I now have because you stuck with me to the bitter end. But, if you don’t read it, I’m right and get away with it because you’ll never know how I was agreeing with you and thanking you, because you didn’t read it to know I was doing so.
Or something.
I kinda lost myself around halfway there. Anyway, just move along to the video bit. I feel drained now and my brain hurts a little bit.

This movie funny. (If you really need to know the story, you can go here and read Steve's review of the first disc offering way back when).

Well, as far as visual transfers go, this is a corker. A perfect transfer in nearly every regard. However, note I said; nearly. Picture quality, shadow detail, colours, blacks, flesh tones, contrast, limited film artefacts, everything fine.

Except for the layer change. Occurring just prior to midway through the extended version of the film, this is as clunky and scene-returning-to as they come. What a shocker. That’s actually what I wrote on my notes: ‘Layer change 53:47 shocker’. Oh well. We can’t have everything and everything has to have a flaw right? And by the way: our picture is delivered here in 1.85:1 with 16:9 anamorphicnessness.

Well, to be honest, I’m skimming through this stuff because the two-disc set here is so full of stuff I need to write about in the extras section that I’ll just say this; the sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and is just awesome - and with no clunky layer change.

Better get yourself a drink and something to eat before you start reading, ‘cause I’m not gonna stop and wait for you. Okay, here goes:
Ahem...

Firstly, before we even get to extras, the first disc, the film one, contains both versions of the film, as I’ve noted. That’s such an excellent thing for a start, but they’ve also included the original claymation opening titles which are pretty cool. I can see why they ditched them though; they don’t particularly suit the style of the film. Also included is an audio commentary by directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly. They’re having a bit of fun with this and for anyone the tiniest bit jaded by having watched the film one too many times, this does freshen up the experience a good deal. (Incidentally, it’s the same comm for both films with some newer observations thrown in regarding the extended scenes).

DISC TWO is chockers with stuff. Some is excellent, some is the usual phuff and some is just downright filler material. However, better to fill a disc than sell it blank is my theory. Anyway, I digress...

Getting Behind Mary is the consummate making of documentary on the film. Presented in 4:3, it runs for a huge 43:46 and features some lengthier interviews with cast and crew and some not-so-savoury backstage tales. There then follows a bunch of original clips from shows back in 1998 when the film was released. The first of these is Backstory: There’s Something About Mary which details the making of the film and runs for 20:53. This is really interesting and a different angle from the usual type of movie-based doco. Next up is Comedy Central and this time it is the usual stuff. Runs for 21:33 and is in 4:3.

A 3:06 mockumentary with Ben Stiller receiving the ‘Best Fight’ Award is quite funny as they make a play on the fight with Puffy, spoofing the ‘CG elements’ info and such. This is one of the funnier moments among the detritus of Disc Two.

Marketing Mary features poster art from around the world and is nice, though a little vacant with but seven entries. Also under this banner is the theatrical trailer in the full cinema aspect of 2.35:1 with 16:9 enhancement and running for 2:20.

Exposing Themselves is a series of interviews with cast and crew alike all talking mostly about each other with humourous moments etc. from the shoot. Always nice to see period interviews and these run for 14:28. Next in at 11:39 is Up a Tree With Jonathan Richman and Tommy Larkins, a featurette about the creation of music for the film. Another different angle and well worth the look.

Franks and Beans: A Conversation with W Earl Jones is an interesting interview with the guy who plays Mary’s retarded brother Warren. This guy is barely recognisable as Warren in this and he has some interesting facts to impart about the creation of Warren. This one runs for the perfect length at 5:34. However, Touchdown: A Conversation with Brett Favre is much less interesting running for 5:39. This is the same sort of thing with Mary’s ex-boyfriend (in the film) discussing his small part and the effect it’s had on his sporting career.

Interview Roulette with Harland Williams follows and this is one of the weaker links to the film. It’s pretty dumb, pretty unfunny and features the dude who plays the serial killing hitchhiker from the movie answering random questions interspersed with very shit CG animation. Way too long at 6:53.

Next, Puffy, Boobs and Balls is quite interesting, discussing the various specialised makeups used for the film. Running for 10:53 in 4:3 we are granted interviews with Lin Shaye (again unrecognisable from her role as Magda) and designer Tony Gardner discussing the very interesting techniques used to create some of the funnier moments of the film.

Behind the Zipper is another short mockumentary hosted by Lin Shaye in character as Magda. This runs for 4:37 and is alright, though not exactly classic humour. Thankfully it gets off stage before it’s dragged off.

Down among the dregs and filler material now. The first of the lesser articles is Around the World With Mary as we get to see the last scene of the film in its full length of 5:32 translated into our choice of eight languages. Woo. Probably more important when considering there are no other language translations on this disc. Still, crap.

Next up are the closing credits and the Build Me Up, Buttercup song, but with karaoke lyrics so we can sing along at home. That’s good, because the lyrics are soooo tricky. On the subject, the Dandy Warhols perform in a music video next, singing Everyday Should Be a Holiday.

Finally, (a weary trumpet sounds) we are granted a paltry 3:25 of outtakes that aren’t really worth worrying about. I’ve seen some great versions of outtakes on DVD before, but these are unfortunately not high on the ‘quality laffs’ list.

So that’s that. The Special Edition extras all laid out for ya. Not a bad batch for the discerning fan.

Well, this film remains among the classic cinema comedy moments of the last decade without doubt. A glorious transfer here with two versions of the film included plus a generous swag of extras make this the best available There’s Something About Mary on the market. As a comedy I’ve seen this film appeal to all sorts of people from all walks of life and, in my opinion, this remains the funniest of all the Farrelly Brothers films. As far as value goes, this disc has it in bucket loads and I can sincerely recommend this for anyone wanting this film to swell out their comedy collection, as it remains funny upon repeated viewings. I still managed to pick up funny things I’d previously either missed or thought not so funny and no doubt will find even more next time I choose to watch this very funny, very likeable film.