LIAR, LIAR
A funny, morally serious comedy that is not for children.
Should You Watch It?
Liar, Liar has a worthwhile moral center. Fletcher Reed is forced to confront the damage caused by his constant lying, and the story ultimately emphasizes telling the truth and taking care of family. Jim Carrey is in top comedic form, while Justin Cooper brings a noticeably fresh performance.
The cost is substantial. The humor is excessively vulgar and coarse, with obscenities, vulgarities, profanity, and sexual innuendo that make the film inappropriate for younger viewers. Its central supernatural premise is magical thinking rather than answered prayer.
You can take the lesson seriously without treating this as family entertainment. For discerning adults, it is worth the trip; for children and young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESFletcher Reed is a self-absorbed defense attorney whose career depends on lying to clients, the court, and his family. His ex-wife, Audrey, and young son, Max, increasingly find it impossible to believe him.
After Fletcher misses Max’s birthday party, Max makes a wish that his father cannot tell a lie for one day. The wish comes true, sending Fletcher’s work, relationships, and carefully managed life into comic turmoil.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a funny, entertaining film with real moral value, though its flaws are impossible to ignore. Jim Carrey gives his usual outlandish performance while adding warmth and emotional value to Fletcher. Justin Cooper’s performance is noticeably fresh.
The comedy includes solid material from Fletcher’s work relationships, his battle for promotion, and his courtroom struggles. The production is serviceable. But the vulgar and coarse humor is unnecessary and detracts from what is otherwise a very funny and moderately morally uplifting movie.
The Worldview
The film encourages telling the truth and taking care of family. Fletcher’s dishonesty damages his clients, his work, and the people closest to him. His change begins when he recognizes that he may lose something more precious than his career: his son.
The movie also presents a positive view of family. Fletcher loves Max, Max loves his father, and the relationship between Fletcher and Audrey ends with a pleasant surprise that is uncharacteristic of Hollywood’s cynical view of marriage and family. Still, the film’s moral lesson is surrounded by vulgarity and sexual innuendo.
The film’s truth-telling premise comes through a birthday wish from Fletcher’s son. This is magical thinking, not prayer to the sovereign God. The central moral still aligns with Scripture’s command: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Moral worldview where telling the truth & taking care of family is encouraged; 16 obscenities, 17 vulgarities & 2 profanities; man bruises & beats himself up; implied fornication,
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What kinds of damage can one lie cause in a family or workplace? Why does Scripture connect truthfulness with loving your neighbor?
Exodus 20:16 · Ephesians 4:25Fletcher’s career competes with his responsibility to his son. What does it look like to care for family through ordinary choices?
1 Timothy 5:8 · Ephesians 6:4How is magical thinking different from prayer? What does it mean to trust the sovereign God with your needs?
Matthew 6:9–13 · Philippians 4:6–7Why can a morally good lesson still be undermined by vulgar or coarse humor? How should Christians practice discernment?
Philippians 4:8 · Romans 12:2The Final Word
Liar, Liar teaches an important lesson about truth and family, and its performances deliver plenty of laughs. But excessive vulgarity and coarse humor keep it from being suitable for younger viewers. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a cleaner family choice, see.
