Passing by a movie theater these days, it's unlikely you'd find "There's Something About Mary" on the marquee. Once a comedy staple in the late '90s, this Farrelly brothers classic has been increasingly sidelined in modern discussions, much like the dental floss mishap that made it infamous. But why has this once-hilarious film seemingly aged about as well as Mary herself (spoiler alert: not at all)?
The answer lies in a perfect storm of outdated humor, controversial content, and shifting societal norms. Let's delve into the factors that have rendered this once-iconic comedy more of a relic than a laugh riot these days.
Evolving Comedic Landscapes
The comedy scene has evolved significantly since 1998. What was once deemed hilarious now often falls flat or worse,.trigger outrage. "There's Something About Mary" relies heavily on offensiveness for laughs, which today feels less comedic and more merely offensive.
Some jokes that once flew now fall victim to the #MeToo era's scrutiny. The film's treatment of Mary and her friends, not to mention its problematic viewing of women, doesn't exactly stand the test of time.
Outdated Humor
The humor in "There's Something About Mary" is a product of its time, drawing laughs from bodily functions, physical deformities, and stereotypes. In the post-Fashion Police, politically correct world, many of these jokes now seem tired at best and offensive at worst.
Consider the infamous hemorrhoid cream scene. While it may have induced giggles in the '90s, today it feels more cringe than comedy. Similarly, the reliance on heavy-handed physical comedy might have worked for the Three Stooges, but it doesn't play as well in the age of Judd Apatow.
Shifting Societal Norms
Societal norms and values have evolved, and with them, our tolerance for certain types of humor. What once passed as a "harmless" laugh is now seen as offensive and inappropriate. This sea change is particularly evident in attitudes towards disability, gender, and sexuality - all areas where "There's Something About Mary" stumbles.
Take, for instance, the portrayal of Ted, the man with Down syndrome. While meant to be affectionate, today it's seen as exploitative and dehumanizing. The film's jokes about Mary's friends' mixed heritage also land differently in our more diverse and interconnected world.
The Legacy of Problematic Content
Comedy often pushes boundaries, but "There's Something About Mary" pushes beyond, into territory that's questionable at best. These problematic elements have left lasting impacts on how the film is remembered today.
For example, the film's treatment of its female lead has been widely criticized. Mary is presented as desirable but also ditzy and naive, a troublesome combination that feeds into stereotypes the #MeToo movement works to dismantle.
Portrayal of Women
"There's Something About Mary" exemplifies many of the problematic tropes that defined '90s comedy: women as love interests, not characters; sexualization over agency; and humor at women's expense. Today, these portrayals feel outdated and even offensive.
A prime example is Mary's relationship with her dog. While cute at the time, now it feels like a cheap plug for heteronormative standards and- spoiler alert- a setup for yet another gross-out gag. The film's treatment of women overall leaves a bittersweet aftertaste, undermining many of the laughs it aimed for.
Controversial Jokes
Some jokes in "There's Something About Mary" have sparked controversy even at the time of its release. While many were defended as harmless fun, today they're seen as crossings lines best left uncrossed. The film's lewd humor, gross-out gags, and tasteless stereotypes leave little room for defense.
Few films now would dare to suggest a man use his friend's erect penis as a flashlight, or toilet paper a car for laughs. These jokes, once considered boundary-pushing, now feel boundary-crossing - into territory that's simply not funny anymore.
So, is there still something about "Mary"? Not in the way the film intended. Once hailed as a comedy classic, it now serves more as a cautionary tale in the evolution of comedy. Yet, it also represents a snapshot of an era in comedy, for better or worse. It's a film that, like Mary's pelo, is best appreciated with a critical eye, understanding the time it came from, and the societal norms it represented.