This week marks the release of the highly anticipated (or the highly unnecessary, depending on who you ask), sequel to the Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels comedy classic Dumb and Dumber. Carrey and Daniels star as Lloyd and Harry, two extremely stupid, but good-hearted guys on a cross-country trip to return a briefcase full of money. So what other time would be more appropriate to highlight the career of one of Canada’s most cherished talents, funny-man Jim Carrey, by discussing his five best films. These films are not all capital C comedies, but also showcase Carrey’s dramatic acting capabilities. Take a trip down memory lane with us.

5. The Mask (1994)

SSSSSSSSSMOKINN’

Jim Carrey certified his place in the comedy world when he took on the role of good-guy bank-clerk Stanley Ipkiss, whose life takes a bizarre turn after finding a mysterious mask in the lake. When Stanley wears the mask, the goofiest, craziest, and deepest aspects of his personality come soaring through as this green-faced superhero. Starring alongside Cameron Diaz in her first film role, Jim Carrey became one of the strangest love-interests for the blonde bombshell, but his sincerity as Stanley was enough to win any girl over. As the Mask, however, it’s a whole other story as he was a strange hybrid of man, superhero, and cartoon character. Jim Carrey made it work like no other actor could, making this film a staple for many children and adults alike, and a comedy classic.

Ooh Somebody, Stop me. 

4. Bruce Almighty (2003)

Bruce Almighty re-teamed Jim Carrey with director Tom Shadyac in yet another supernatural comedy. No comedian could have better fit the role of God, and this comedy became something of a revival for Jim Carrey. Starring alongside Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston, as well as one of Steve Carrell’s first and most notable roles, Bruce Almighty is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, and manages to not be overly-preachy with its religious premise, but instead relatable and heart-warming. As Bruce Nolan, a man who is fed-up with life and thinks that God has it out for him, when he is bestowed with the power to run the world, life becomes much more complicated and overwhelming than he’d have thought. The film was a great return to form, and is endlessly re-watchable.

B-E-A-Utiful

3. Liar Liar (1997)

Jim Carrey’s first collaboration with Tom Shadyac remains his best comedic work to date, as Fletcher Reid, a self-consumed lawyer whose talent for lying gets him through his work and family life. When his five-year-old son wishes on his birthday candles that his father would not be allowed to lie for a day, it magically comes true, and Fletcher physically becomes incapable of telling a lie. This ensues into extremely hilarious situations, but also makes for a touching story about a man who has lost his sense of self and lost his family in the mix of it. Filled with classic moments as well as a sweet story about a father and son, Liar Liar is hands down Jim Carrey’s best comedy.

The pen is blue, the Goddamn pen is blue.

2. The Truman Show (1998)

No one would have expected one of our best comedians to also be such an astonishing dramatic actor, and The Truman Show is our first time seeing Jim Carrey try his hand at something more serious. Still one of the most timely films to come out recently, as this film would maybe be even more relevant if it were released today, Truman Burbank’s life is a reality television show and he doesn’t know it. This drama directed by Peter Weir serves as a satirical, political commentary, but also features Jim playing a highly sympathetic and loveable leading character. Horrifying in its own way, The Truman Show is an essential piece of filmmaking, and easily one of Jim Carrey’s best films.

Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 

A modern day classic and a romance for the ages, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is by far the most amazing thing that Jim Carrey has been a part of, and his casting as Joel Barrish is surprisingly perfect. This sci-fi drama about a couple who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories, is one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful films of its kind. Under the quirky and visually-stunning direction of Michel Gondry, and the philosophical brilliance of the greatest screenwriter of our time, Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a cerebral treat and a moving love story like no other. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet make for a couple of doomed-in-love misfits and bring a sense of humour and warmth to these highly isolated characters. This is Jim Carrey’s career-defining moment.

I can’t remember anything without you.

Dumb and Dumber To hits theatres Friday, November 14th.