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Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black, George Segal ... see more see more... , Diane Baker , Aki Aleong , Jeremy Applegate , David Bowe , Blake Boyd , Lydell M. Cheshier , David Cross , Kyle Gass , Paul Greco , Kathy Griffin , Annabelle Gurwitch , Donna Hardy , Tommy Hinkley , Conrad Janis , Lloyd Kino , Cynthia Mason , Christopher Michael , Jeff Michalski , Joel Murray , Charles Napier , Harry O'Reilly , Ahmad Reese , Julian Reyes , Steven Scott , Amy Stiller , Mark Thompson , Leonard O. Turner , Sean Whalen , Frank Davis , Jeff Kahn , Eric Roberts , Ben Stiller , James O'Connell , Marty Zagon , Liza D'Agostino , Andy Dick , Janeane Garofalo , Suli McCullough , Michael Rivkin , Owen Wilson , Andrew Shaifer , Emilio Rivera , Shawn Michael Howard , John O'Donohue , Bob Odenkirk , Thomas Scott , Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc , Jason Larimore , Cynthia Lamontagne , Harper Roisman , Sandra Thigpen , Carlo Allen , Barbara Babbin , Adam Beasley , Bill Beasley , Christine Beasley , Devon Beasley , Adam Consolo , Christine Devine , Marion Dugan , Staci Flood , Michael Fossat , Keith Gibbs , Julie Hayden , Douglas Robert Jackson , Kennedy Kabasares , Rikki Klieman , Misa Koprova , Mary Lee , Sara Lowell , Robert L. Rasner , Raydeen Revilla , Charles Knox Robinson III , Robert Simels , Tabitha Soren , Cameron Starman , Wendy Walsh , Darlene Worley

Originally planned as a silly vehicle for Chris Farley, in the hands of director Ben Stiller and star Jim Carrey, The Cable Guy became an opportunity for Carrey to flex some of his darker comedic musc... read more read more...les as stalker Chip Douglas. Matthew Broderick plays Steven, an average Joe who is forlorn over his recent breakup with girlfriend Robin (Leslie Mann). When he moves into a new apartment, Steven comes in contact with Chip, who shows up to hook up the cable. Before he knows it, and whether he likes it or not, Steven has a new best-friend in the obnoxious and clingy Chip. However, Steven soon learns that obnoxious is a walk in the park compared to Chip's behavior when Steven tells him he doesn't want to be his pal anymore. What's worse, no one -- including Robin or his family -- believes Steven when he accuses the seemingly harmless Chip of being a malevolent menace. George Segal and Jack Black also star along with Stiller, who plays twins loosely-based on the Menendez brothers. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Flixster Users

50% liked it

446,071 ratings

Critics

54% liked it

57 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Ben Stiller

Release Date: June 14, 1996

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DVD Release Date: August 8, 2000

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Stats: 15,345 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (15,345)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    February 8, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Cable Guy is a decent comedy with lots of flaws. Though it's interesting to see Jim Carrey act in a more darker comedic role, at times the film tries far too hard at delivering something that for most of the time, is unfunny. The film has some good moments, but throughout the... read more entire film, there's always something that lingers that makes this film awkward. The film is decent enough to watch, but is never anything memorable. Ben Stiller directs this film, and delivers a film that delivers decent enough laughs. Overall, The Cable Guy is one of the weaker films in Jim Carrey's career, but compared to recent comedies that he's made, this film isn't too bad. There's a good idea at work here, but I felt that the film could have been much better than this. I thought it was a decent time waster of a film, but it wasn't great or memorable by any means. The Cable Guy is an interesting idea that is more stale than anything. It's decent enough to watch, but you realize that there is something missing to really make it a good comedy. Jim Carrey's performance is over the top and wacky, and it's what saves this film from being a total disaster. Despite this, The Cable Guy could have used a script rewrite or two, as there's some good material here, but there are elements that simply don't fit. The Cable Guy could have been a memorable comedy, unfortunately the film doesn't stand out among Carrey's other comedic gems such as The Mask, Ace Ventura and Dumb & Dumber.
  • aquateen2
    October 1, 2011
    aquateen2
    Plain and Simple. This film deserves more credit then it gets. It's hilarious and Matthew Broderick and Jim Carrey suprisingly are a good screen couple. It's scary at times and its well crafted.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 17, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Jim Carrey is funny, but the rest of the film is pretty much just "ehh."
  • fb100002090596996
    July 9, 2011
    fb100002090596996
    Are you looking for a light-hearted comedy film to show your little 8 and 9 year olds like Dumb and Dumber or Ace Ventura, both also by Jim Carrey. This is not one of those movies. This is a movie that really isn't a comedy film, to me. To me, this is a really dark thriller that ... read moreisn't exactly disturbing like most people say, but just plain dark. Acting is by far the best acting I have ever seen in a Carrey film... and believe it or not, Jim Carrey isn't even the main star of this film, despite what people say as well as the name and the picture. The true Matthew Broderick, who is an amazing actor. I must say that this film is underrated because of the fact that Jim Carrey isn't really known for this genera of comedy. Infact, you are quickly introduced to this as soon as he even appears on-screen and says his very first words... okay, with the exception of "CAAAABBBLE GUUUUYYY!!!!!!!". This movie is funny, though, just a bit unsettling. This isn't a problem at all, with all of the classic scenes, this movie is definitely a film for die-hard Carrey fans, or fans of the genera (Dark-Humor). Let's not forget Carrey's face when he slam dunked that basket-ball in slow motion while glass shattered all over his face while he did his epic victory scream. Or the time where he sung the Star Trek theme at the restaurant Medieval Times (you can't forget it, he goes like "brrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!" about 4 or 5 times before giving up). Now, you may notice that I keep using the word "dark" in this review... but you don't understand, do you? The violence in this movie (despite being a comedy) is NOT slap-stick. The violence is intense and realistic. The humor said is hurtful, such as being made fun of; and the actual plot is just plain dark. The Cable Guy (known as Chip, but there is a bizarre plot twist and mind-bender closer near the end; not exactly at the end, but about 50 minutes until the end.) is a mentally disturbed freak who grew up with only one friend, the TV. His parents were very irresponsible, and he had a low IQ. He grew up to be, not a cable guy, but The Cable Guy (Th3, if you find that simpler). There is also a side-plot that, of course, is quite dark and not funny (don't worry, it's not supposed to be), with the exception of the "Asian" part (I actually had to laugh and pause when I finally got it).This movie is longer than Ace Ventura, but not as long as Dumb & Dumber; which is strange because, even at the rate it's going, it feels MUCH longer than both movies. Overall, not many people will like this movie. I just happened to. Rent it from Blockbuster or Netflix, before you buy from MovieStop because this movie is really different.
  • ajv2688
    July 8, 2011
    ajv2688
    Where did this movie go wrong? It could have been a brilliant new dark comedy, but it's just not funny. It has some great actors, but the chemistry isn't there for some reason. This movie just comes off stupid, meandering, boring and predictable. Did not like it.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    July 6, 2011
    FiLmCrAzY
    Another typically annoying Jim Carrey movie that isnt great at all.
    I want to know how with so many rubbish movies under his belt he still hasnt ruined his career.
    This movie is dyer, his stupid lisp that was rubbishly put on and its just not even a funny dark comedy.
    If your... read more a Jim Carrey fan then this movie may be bearabe otherwise its a waste of time!
  • fb100002359227440
    June 6, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    Funny dark comedy, but not so good as look like. Rotten.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 18, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Free cable is the ultimate aphrodisiac."

    A lonely and disturbed cable guy raised on television just wants a new friend, but his target, a designer, rejects him, with bad consequences.

    REVIEW

    ... read moreJet black comedy with obnoxious Carrey (in a complex comic/creepy performance) as a friend-hungered cable guy who hooks up Broderick with free cable and a whole lot more than he bargained for. Kind of "Ace Venutra" meets "Fatal Attraction" but surprisingly with a deeply disturbing message: tv can rot your brain. Fiendishly funny and genuinely unsettling at times with Broderick making the most as the straight man with some moments of normal guy in Twilight Zone mode. Stiller (who directed) makes a cameo as a celebrity on trial for murder and the broadcast chain of events leading to a heady climax. May not be for everyone but shows some range in rubber faced Carrey; he pulls it off. Best bit: dinner and entertainment at Medieval Times and Porno Password!
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    February 20, 2011
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    I don't care what anyone else says, I thought this film was funny as hell and just a disturbing. Should be considered a classic dark comedy.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 29, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    a really insane but also funny wierd movie. B

View All The Cable Guy Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
July 28, 2009
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

It's a fairly interesting effort -- much more ambitious than most Carrey vehicles. Full Review

Richard Schickel
July 27, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Aiming, perhaps, for a neat double helix of black humor and prankishness, they've ended up with a pretty ugly granny knot. Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

While some of its antic set pieces are genuinely funny, this fuzzy-focus outing is hopelessly disconnected and ultimately unsatisfying. Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Much of it plays like a personal boob tube with Carrey trapped inside, determined to act his way out in a freak show of mugging. He's a disturbing mixture of psychopath and lonely soul. Here, as alway... Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Carrey runs riot, and Stiller won't stop him.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A misguided attempt to extend [Carrey's] range by having him play someone who is demented and dangerous. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

As it is, themovie goes in one direction and the cable guy goes in another, and by the end we aren't really looking forward to seeing Jim Carrey reappear on the screen. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
January 1, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Stiller doesn't know where he wants the movie to go, and Broderick has nothing to do but look incredulous as Carrey wreaks havoc on his personal life. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Ben Stiller can't distill the darkness, slapstick and fantasy into a consistent directorial tone, but the leads' expert give-and-take make the movie far from unbearable.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Basically, it's not a whole lot of fun. There's no one to identify with -- Carrey's Cable Guy is a stalker, and Matthew Broderick's Steven is bland to the point of near-invisibility. Full Review

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    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: The problem with real life is there's no danger music.
    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: I gotcha the big screen TV, deluxe karaoke machine, and THX quality sound that would make George Lucas cream in his pants.
    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: This concludes our broadcast day. Click.
    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: Sounds like heart break to me
    • Steven Kovacs: Well I really don't want to discuss it with you. Could you just install my cable please? I'm gonna go get dressed.
    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: Suit yourself. No sweat off my sac. Oh by the way, you might wanna put on a bathing suit 'cause you'll be channel surfing in no time!
    • Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You seem to prefer the latter.
    • Himself: Promise me you'll never go bungee jumping in Mexico, they just don't have the regulations!
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The Cable Guy : Watch Free on TV

The Cable Guy Trivia

  • "I'd strike while the iron is hot if I were you. He who hesitates, masturbates." is a quote from which movie?  Answer »
  • From what movie is this tagline from? "There's No Such Thing as Free Cable."  Answer »
  • what movie has the line..free cable is the ultimate aphrodisiac?  Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " There's No Such Thing as Free Cable " ?  Answer »
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