By now, many are aware that Ace Venture is following in the footsteps of actors like Robin Williams by transitioning from comedy to drama. Time will tell whether the Truman Show is a trend or not, but I think it is clear that no one's going to be able to take this film seriously. Stanley Ipkiss doesn't have a serious bone in his body. If you don't believe me, then consider the following...
5. Jim Carrey's Acting Style
Jim Carrey is a riot. He's a comedian, through and through. He's over-the-top, hammy as hell, and doesn't know the idea of restraint. He bounces across scenes with an energy that you just can't take your eyes off. That's the secret to his success. Drama requires an actor to be restrained, subdued, but nothing in Carrey's acting catalog indicates he CAN hold himself back. Even when he tries to be restrained, he can't help but come across as energetic and zany. Take, for example, The Mask, which is to date one of his better films (cannot wait for that sequel they keep talking about!!). As Stanley Ipkiss, he is forced to play a restrained, twerpy guy, until he puts on a magic mask, and goes crazy. Now, you can argue that Ipkiss is Carrey trying to be restrained, but that's not the case. Ipkiss is a manchild. He's energetic in a silly sort of way. He is over-the-top in how "normal" he's trying to be. He tries to look as pathetic and wimpy as possible, so that when he goes full-blown over-the-top, he looks THAT much crazier in comparison. Still, he's mugging for the camera. Jim Carrey is a fun, but he'll never be in an Oscar-level film.