Episode 61 : Ace Ventura : Pet Detective

Imagine paying your dues in an unforgiving entertainment world for over 10 years, then becoming an international sensation almost overnight. That was Jim Carrey’s life in 1994. ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE garnered much attention for everyone involved, but this bizarre detective comedy was an extreme gamble with great deal of thought beneath the surface.

▶️Synopsis: When the mascot for the Miami Dolphins is kidnapped, a pet detective named Ace Ventura is hired to solve the crime. After immersing himself in the case & subsequent kidnapping of the team’s all-star quarterback, Ventura finds himself in a twisted tale of the revenge.

⏩⏩Discussions include: Origin & revisions of the ACE script; Carrey and director Tom Shadyac’s backstories, creative contributions & how the film affected their careers; use of framing & editing to meld together multiple styles of humor with a detective story; lowdown on the cast, reception of the film, cultural impact, deconstructing ACE’s controversial third act & a ton of behind-the-scenes moments.

**Starring Jim Carrey, Sean Young, Courteney Cox, Tone Loc. Directed by Tom Shadyac.**

▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**

—Lindsay’s Pick, THE MASK (1994): A sweet, all-around “nice guy” comes upon a mysterious mask which awakens the extreme version of himself. A live-action, vibrant comic book come to life!
**Starring Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Greene. Directed by Chuck Russell.**

—Justin’s Pick, DUMB AND DUMBER (1994): Idiotic best friends come across a suitcase of money, leading the duo on a cross-country adventure to find the beautiful woman who left the briefcase behind.

**Starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly. Directed by Peter Farrelly.**

▶️MURRAYMOMENT: A trip back to Billy being part of a guerrilla investigative journalism team called TVTV who went behind-the-scenes of 1976 Super Bowl X.

▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: ACE cinemaphotographer Julio Macat’s usage of a bonus camera on set & the impact of ACE’s vernacular.

▶️Next Up: ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)!