
The Cable Guy
1996, Comedy, 1h 31m
77 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
The Cable Guy's dark flashes of thought-provoking, subversive wit are often -- but not always -- enough to counter its frustratingly uneven storytelling approach. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Cable Guy
Steven M. Kovacs
Robin Harris
Rick
Steven's Father
Steven's Mother
News & Interviews for The Cable Guy
Critic Reviews for The Cable Guy
All Critics (77) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (36)
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The Cable Guy is a gutsy move on Carrey's part, suggesting a willingness to grow just where commercial good sense would say to stand pat.
March 11, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
It barely matters that The Cable Guy fails [to satirize TV], because it is crammed with other pleasures, not least Carrey, who lets us glimpse the human being behind the sociopath.
December 12, 2018 -
Carrey's life-of-a-bad-party manner is a major hoot as he toys with Broderick over legal and illegal installations.
December 12, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
Whether Carrey's fans will like it or not, the film is easily his best crafted piece of work to date.
December 12, 2018 | Full Review… -
To watch Carrey leering with joy at the prospect of making respectable people guess dirty words, and Broderick trying to avoid the whole thing, is to enjoy their best comic synergy.
December 12, 2018 | Full Review… -
[The Cable Guy] is so repellent as to be almost literally unwatchable. This comedy isn't dark, it's extinguished. It isn't entertainment, it's pathology.
December 12, 2018 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Cable Guy
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Nov 26, 2014A satirical comedy from director Ben Stiller, The Cable Guy has a bit of trouble combining the laughs with the social commentary. The story follows Steven Kovacs, who's recently separated from his girlfriend and is befriended by his local cable guy, Chip; but things take a dark turn when Chip shows an unhealthy obsession with Steven. Starring Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, and Leslie Mann, the film has a solid cast that has a good amount of comedic talent (including cameos from Stiller and alumni from is television series). But there are some script issues, as there's a subplot about a Hollywood murder trial that awkwardly forced in. And, the commentary about television addiction feels heavy handed and separated from the main story arc. Yet despite a little unevenness, The Cable Guy delivers some good laughs.Dann M Super Reviewer
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Aug 01, 2013Jim Carrey shines as usual, but the film can be easily forgettable with the amount of simplistic humor and tone. The Cable Guy has its moments but is easily brought down from its bland comedy and sometimes creepy undertone. 2.5/5Eugene B Super Reviewer
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Jan 20, 2013Jim Carey plays a neglected Cable Guy and is about as annoying as a car alarm going off at 3.00 am. But that is the part he is playing and it would be hard to imagine any other actor in his role. For Carey fans The Cable Guy is right up there with the best. As Chip Douglas he is superb and genuinely makes the audience feel sorry for him. There are many memorable scenes that make me chuckle just thinking about them. The attack in the wash room "squi-bob", the nightmare-come-dreamscape sequence, the basketball game, the Karaoke jam (who knew Carey could sing) and my favourite of the movie, the scene at Medieval Times. For me this is the best and funniest part of the movie. Carey looks brilliant as a knight ... if a little like the main character from Dragon's Lair (a popular 80's arcade classic). Cable Guy was Ben Stiller first big budget director's debut and I feel any short comings on quality can come down to this and his lack of experience at the time i.e. continuity and mase-en-scene. Although many ideas he has brought to the mix are just brilliant. I have watched this movie many times and do find it funny, if a little uncomfortable in places. I like the constant sub-storey of television and how it influences people. For Chip he feels a connection with TV as his mother was never around, makes references like "the babysitter" and consider television a friend. For the character of Steven (played by Matthew Broderick) he reaches for the phone to buy a self-help package following a TV advert when he is at a low point. Talking of Broderick, I am not a lover of him and for me he is poor and unconvincing. The Cable Guy is not a great movie, it looks and feels low-budget, it seems sparse, bland and poorly put together but is a success in other ways. It sets out to be a light-hearted funny movie, that entertains the viewer, has a message and showcases Jim Carey's "rubber-faced" over-the-top comedy skills. On all of these fronts it delivers.James C Super Reviewer
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Aug 11, 2012A big hit and miss, yet it's a pretty good cult film. Confusing and not amazing during the first watch. However the second time, it was funnier and certain lines became more recognised. Lets face it, this is for Jim Carrey fans. 'The Cable Guy' is not as iconic as 'Ace Ventura'. It isn't as touching as 'The Truman Show', but you either watch it or you don't, you love it or hate it.Samuel R Super Reviewer
The Cable Guy Quotes
Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: | Let's see what you got white shadow! |
Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: | When your love is truly given, it will come back to you tenfold. |
Steven: | You're right. That's incredibly insightful. |
Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: | I know. It was Jerry Springer's Final Thought on Friday's show. |
Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: | You know, from this angle, you look just like Dizzy Gillespie. Salt Peanuts! Salt peanuts! |
Chip Douglas the Cable Guy: | Right into the buckle. That's gotta hurt, Gene! |
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