Directors and screenwriters Peter and Bobby Farrelly kickstarted an era of comedy in the '90s that leaned towards more gripping stories balanced with plenty of slapstick and gross-out humor. This would seemingly peak in 1998, with their smash-hit There's Something About Mary. Since then, the Farrelly Brothers have somewhat fallen off the map, with their most known film in 15 years being a tepid sequel to the achingly funny Dumb and Dumber.
Still, they've cemented their legacy as two of the most notable comedy filmmakers of the last 30 years. That, and Peter Farelly's perhaps begun something of a comeback, directing the critically acclaimed Green Book. With that said, let's take a look at their top 10 rated films, according to IMDb.
The Heartbreak Kid (5.8)
Ben Stiller isn't at his comedic best in this flick - that honor belongs to a certain 1998 film featuring a certain Mary. Still, The Heartbreak Kid has some moments of amusement, coupled with annoyance. This film stands as an even more forgettable remake to the more-renowned '72 rom-com by the same name.
In this wacky romp, a man named Eddie (Ben Stiller) seeks to enter the next phase of his life - marriage - before it passes him by. After a few weeks of dating, Eddie proposes to Lila, an attractive blonde who turns out to be a handful during their honeymoon. The movie then turns to a rather predictable love story, as Eddie happens to meet the real love of his life, Miranda, while in Mexico.
Hall Pass (5.8)
Take a bit of American Pie and a touch of Wedding Crashers and mix it with an even more juvenile premise featuring older, married protagonists, and you might get Hall Pass. The movie seemingly caters to the fantasies married men who wonder "what if we were given free reign by our significant others to sleep around for an entire week?"
The film plays with this interesting notion, and while it ends with a twist somewhat rooted in morality, it ultimately feels half-hearted. There are some funny bits thanks to the comedic strengths of Jason Sudeikis and Owen Wilson but there are more misses than hits, especially during the first half-hour or so.
Shallow Hal (5.9)
Much like Hall Pass, Shallow Hal kicks off with a questionable sense of morality, while ultimately leading up to a surprisingly heartfelt and thoughtful message. At least in this case, it achieves this through some funnier moments and charming performances by Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow.
This rom-com toys with the notion of seeing potential partners for their inner beauty rather than their physical appearance. Hal, a wannabe ladies' man, is put under this trance (or broken from one, depending on perspective) by... Tony Robbins? Sure, why not. While it's a goofy premise whose moral is a bit "on the nose," it does allow for some funny situational bits and manages to be wholesome.
Fever Pitch (6.2)
Given the monumental world series championship by the Boston Red Sox in '04, it's perhaps not surprising that a feel-good comedy would be produced since it uses this event as a backdrop. Interestingly enough, this film was shot just months before the BoSox would win their first title in 86 years.
Fever Pitch deals with a man caught up in the whirlwind of his favorite ballclub in a pennant chase while trying to balance it with a relationship. There is plenty of cheese to be had in this rom-com, but it contains some heartfelt moments and sentimentality, especially for Sox fans. Unfortunately, the actual "comedy" is lacking somewhat here, as the movie tends to get lost in its own story more so than generating laughter.
Osmosis Jones (6.3)
Credit where credit is due; this Farrelly Brothers/Warner Bros. film certainly goes off the beaten path in a sense, shifting between live-action and animation. It's also got a pretty unique narrative, featuring a cartoon colony of white blood cells that are apparently inside of the protagonist's body, played by Bill Murray. And no, unfortunately even the comedic greatness of Murray can't quite save this goofy film. Kingpin, this is not.
While there are some fun moments and interesting ideas, this more kid-friendly version of a Farrelly comedy succumbs to many of the same Farrelly Bros tropes: wacky slapstick and gross-out comedy wrapped in a feel-good story.
Outside Providence (6.4)
You wouldn't know it by its simple premise, but Outside Providence is actually based on a novel written in the late '80s by Peter Farrelly, some years before the Farrellys would be elevated into comedy stardom. It's surprising how little this film is known not just because it features Alec Baldwin, but because it's actually a good film.
This '70s-era coming-of-age tale stars a delinquent high school drop-out with a friend amusingly named "Drugs Delaney" and a one-eyed dog with three legs. After the protagonist, Timothy, gets in trouble with the law, he endures a culture shock as he's enrolled in a private prep school. The film then takes on a "fish out of water" narrative that's both enduring and funny. Outside Providence also marks one of actress Amy Smart's earliest roles; playing Timothy's love interest, Jane.
Me, Myself & Irene (6.6)
The dawn of the 2000s marked something of a decline for the Farrelly Brothers comedy. The jokes were getting increasingly goofy by the time Me, Myself & Irene hit the scene in 2000. Still, there are plenty of clever and funny moments to be had in this zany situational comedy. This is thanks in large part to the chameleon-esque performance of Jim Carrey, who basically plays two roles - the kind timid cop named Charlie and his cold, violent counterpart, Hank.
The film plays with the notion of human psychology and an over-the-top caricature of schizophrenia, as it can supposedly manifest from suppressing one's emotions too long.
Kingpin (6.9)
Kingpin just might be the most underrated Farrelly Brothers comedy. It tends to get overlooked between the highly-regarded Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary, which released around the same timeframe.
The film follows a washed-up bowling champ, Roy Munsen, whose life spirals into drunken decay as a group of men he bowls against has his hand quite gruesomely ripped off for deceiving them. Many years later, Roy seeks to make a name for himself as he takes Ishmael, painfully naive Amish prospect, under his wing to travel to Reno and become bowling champions. Naturally, hilarity ensues on the way there. This film is chock-full of witty humor, and great comedic performances from Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray, Randy Quaid, and Vanessa Angel.
There's Something About Mary (7.1)
You could say this is the Farrelly Brothers' equivalent of The Godfather. Okay, that might be a stretch for what amounts to a wacky gross-out comedy. Regardless, There's Something About Mary is simply the Farrellys at their zany best, as is the case with the colorful cast of comedic actors who each add their own flair. It's the point where everything came together.
This movie would largely help propel Ben Stiller into superstardom. He plays a timid young man named Ted, who's smitten by an old highschool sweetheart, Mary, played by Cameron Diaz. But a harmless date to prom goes awry as a "bathroom incident" throws him quite the curveball. Many years later, he seeks to reconnect only to find that he's at odds with a number of other men hung up on Mary. This film's not just loaded with hilarity, but its narrative is actually pretty captivating.
Dumb And Dumber (7.3)
While There's Something About Mary may be the Farrellys' all-around best produced, innovative comedy, Dumb and Dumber is largely considered to be the funniest work from them to date, pound-for-pound.
The film features a couple of dimwitted bums, played by Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels who both nail their distinct, humorous roles. What begins as an innocent trip to Aspen by a couple of dense, oblivious goofballs ends as a thrilling crime story, which gets increasingly dramatic but keeps the belly laughs going the whole way. From the run-in with "Sea Bass" to a mishap with "atomic peppers" to a cop mistakenly drinking urine, Dumb and Dumber pummels you with hilarious scenarios sure to provide some yuks.