Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1997: Cary Elwes in Liar Liar

Cary Elwes did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Jerry in Liar Liar. 

Liar Liar's appeal continues to mostly allude me, as watching it for the second time fully in 25 years, it stands as an overly starry vehicle for Jim Carrey as a bad father and lawyer who can't lie. I think it might've worked better if Carrey became more unhinged as the film went on but he's so big from the start that there isn't really a transformation into madness given he's already so over the top from his first scene. I think this falls mostly on Tom Shadyac's direction, who directed Carrey in his original breakout Ace Ventura, another film where there is no tempering of Carrey's mania. A useful resource mind you, but best when utilized with some contrast. 

Anyway enough about that because I'm here to talk about Cary Elwes in the most thankless of roles, that being the other guy in a film with any romance. Elwes of course being best known as THE guy in The Princess Bride, however 10 years from that breakout Elwes became mostly cast in other guy roles, whether it be not the romantic lead or just not quite the lead. It has to be said that Elwes's Jerry really is just a great guy in every respect, and that is only helped by Elwes who knows how to "as you wish" himself right into someone's heart. He treats Carrey's Fletcher's ex-wife Audrey (Maura Tierney) with love and respect, he couldn't be more upbeat towards Audrey and Fletcher's son Max, he even doesn't even show any hostility towards the obviously hostile Fletcher. Elwes even plays it with only sincerity in showing Jerry's excitement towards spending time with Audrey, and trying to be fun with Max. His delivery of the replies even to Fletcher's insults is just with a pleasant smile and straight forward retorts. Then what is wrong with Jerry? Nothing really, but for the sake of a film of this ilk, the problem with Jerry is he's a bit of a dork. Elwes though does capitalize on this to be more than just a charming doormat, and has some understated fun in being out of his depth against the energy of Carrey's Fletcher. His portrayal of Jerry's awkwardness when proposing, or even as he tries to comfort Fletcher's family as they are flying away with him to Boston, Elwes does deliver some comedic timing in being not quite on the right page in any of these moments. He's always a little out of place in a way that is quietly enjoyable, and I think is much needed comedic note to go against just how big Carrey is the whole time. One must make particular note of his attempt at the crazy "claw" that Fletcher does with Max, where Jerry attempts the same and right down to not quite forming a claw with his hand and his overly low key delivery, Elwes is wrong in just the right ways. Of course all this leaves just Jerry to be gotten rid of as the horrible pleasant man he is, which is only emphasized in Jerry's final moment, where Elwes's performance emphasizes a guy who just wants the whole family to be happy, admitting defeat with an earnest respect and deference, though Fletcher doesn't really deserve it. This isn't an amazing performance by any measure, but Elwes certainly makes the most of what he has, and is one of the few aspects of the film that I unreservedly enjoy.