A split personality emerges when a repressed man finally snaps
In short: In this 2000 black comedy, Jim Carrey plays a Rhode Island state trooper whose years of suppressed emotion trigger a psychotic breakdown. The result is Hank, a rude and violent second personality that emerges whenever his original self faces extreme stress.
Directed by the Farrelly brothers, the film follows Charlie Baileygates, a man frequently taken advantage of by those around him. After years of enduring infidelity and social abuse, Charlie develops the alter ego Hank Evans to handle the confrontations he is otherwise too passive to face. This psychological shift becomes a central plot point when Charlie is tasked with escorting Irene Waters, a woman fleeing her mob-connected ex-boyfriend, across state lines.
While the film was a box office success, earning $149,270,999 worldwide, it faced significant criticism regarding its depiction of mental health. In June 2000, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) contacted 20th Century Fox to protest the film's portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder. NAMI president Laurie Flynn argued that the movie incorrectly suggested schizophrenia is a split personality, a myth that could be harmful to millions of Americans. They requested that the studio and Jim Carrey use their platform to clarify the differences between these conditions.
Critics were equally divided on the film's execution. While some praised Carrey's physical performance and his ability to switch between personalities, others found the plot unfocused or the crude humor exhausting. Roger Ebert described the work as a "labored and sour comedy," while other reviewers noted that the Farrelly brothers seemed unable to decide how to best utilize their Jekyll and Hyde concept. Despite these mixed reviews, Jim Carrey later cited the film as one of his personal favorites.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Me, Myself & Irene
- Also: Me, Myself & Irene
- Also: Wikidata — Me, Myself & Irene · CC0
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