There's Something About Mary (1998)
- During the filming of There's Something About Mary, Cameron Diaz improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Before Cameron Diaz was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
There's Something About Mary is a 1998 American romantic comedy directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Ben Stiller stars as Ted Stroehmann, a sweet but hapless man who has never gotten over Mary Jensen, played by Cameron Diaz, his prom date from 13 years ago who he never actually got to take to the dance due to a notoriously painful zipper incident. When Ted hires a sleazy private investigator, played by Matt Dillon, to track Mary down, the PI falls for her too, and a chain of increasingly deceptive suitors compete for her affection.
There's Something About Mary pushed the boundaries of mainstream comedy further than almost any film before it β the hair gel scene, the zipper scene, and numerous other moments of extreme physical and sexual comedy were so outrageous that audiences simultaneously gasped and howled. Cameron Diaz's performance as Mary was the film's anchor β she was so naturally charming, funny, and genuine that the audience understood why every man in the film was obsessed with her. The film earned $369 million worldwide on a $23 million budget.
