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* AsYouKnow: The discussion between Fletcher's boss and the lawyer who won't take the case is there to explain the job of a lawyer to the audience.
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* HeroAntagonist: Dana Appleton and her legal team representing Mr. Cole.
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* DiabolusExMachina: Instigated by Fletcher himself, no less. His last-minute discovery that Mrs. Cole [[spoiler:was underaged when she got married, invalidating her pre-nup but leaving the common-law marriage intact]] ends up unduly costing an innocent man half his assests. We might say it could cost a loving father custody of his children too, but Mrs. Cole had already demonstrated herself in court to be an unfaithful wife and an absolutely ''horrible'' mother, so at least she likely won't get full or even partial custody without Fletcher representing her anymore.
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Sorry, didn\'t realise that was already there. :(
Deleted line(s) 92 (click to see context) :
* LampShading: When Fletcher takes Max out of school and explains the birthday wish came true, Max asks questions to test him. One being "If I make this face, will it stick that way?" Fletcher says "Not in a million years. In fact, some people make a pretty good living that way."
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(Does this example fit better under \"Take That, Me\"?
Changed line(s) 92 (click to see context) from:
* Lampshading: When Fletcher takes Max out of school and explains the birthday wish came true, Max asks questions to test him. One being "If I make this face, will it stick that way?" Fletcher says "Not in a million years. In fact, some people make a pretty good living that way."
to:
* Lampshading: LampShading: When Fletcher takes Max out of school and explains the birthday wish came true, Max asks questions to test him. One being "If I make this face, will it stick that way?" Fletcher says "Not in a million years. In fact, some people make a pretty good living that way."
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* Lampshading: When Fletcher takes Max out of school and explains the birthday wish came true, Max asks questions to test him. One being "If I make this face, will it stick that way?" Fletcher says "Not in a million years. In fact, some people make a pretty good living that way."
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* ExtremelyShortTimespan: Due to the nature of Max's wish, the entire movie is set over two days, with [[ThreeActStructure Acts 2 and 3]] set on the second day.
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Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
** He actully has two of them, the first one above regarding his personal life, the second regarding his professional one when [[spoiler: he wins the case for Mrs. Cole and realizes how horrible she truly is when she won't even let her ex-husband say goodbye to his kids. Needless to say he's rather horrified by his actions.]]
to:
** He actully has two of them, the first one above regarding his personal life, the second regarding his professional one when [[spoiler: he wins the case for Mrs. Cole and realizes how horrible she truly is when she won't even let her ex-husband say goodbye to his kids. Needless to say he's rather horrified by his actions.]]]] Not to mention the people he was sucking up to to make partner only saw the kids as legal leverage leaves him downright disgusted.
*** The second one hits him really hard. At the beginning, she agreed to sharing custody with the father, saying he's a good father. Aside from her infidelity, she seems to be much more pleasant at the beginning, and Fletcher realizes the much more unpleasant Mrs. Cole at the end was at least partially his fault.
*** The second one hits him really hard. At the beginning, she agreed to sharing custody with the father, saying he's a good father. Aside from her infidelity, she seems to be much more pleasant at the beginning, and Fletcher realizes the much more unpleasant Mrs. Cole at the end was at least partially his fault.
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Deleted line(s) 138 (click to see context) :
* WhamLine: As Fletcher is trying to explain the whole situation to his ex-wife about being unable to lie he says without any problems "I'm a bad father." The revelation hits him pretty hard, even though she tries to comfort him with "You're not a bad dad... when you're around."
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* WhamLine: As Fletcher is trying to explain the whole situation to his ex-wife about being unable to lie he says without any problems "I'm a bad father." The revelation hits him pretty hard, even though she tries to comfort him with "You're not a bad dad... when you're around."
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** He actully has two of them, the first one above regarding his personal life, the second regarding his professional one when [[spoiler: he wins the case for Mrs. Cole and realizes how horrible she truly is when she won't even let her ex-husband say goodbye to his kids. Needless to say he's rather horrified by his actions.]]
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Changed line(s) 74 (click to see context) from:
--->'''Carrey:''' JEZEB--(begins laughing uproariously as everyone else cracks up and can't continue)
to:
--->'''Carrey:''' JEZEB--(begins laughing uproariously as everyone else cracks up and can't continue)continue) THEY'RE ON TO ME!!!
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Changed line(s) 70,74 (click to see context) from:
--->'''Fletcher:''' 105 pounds! Yeah... in your BRA!
--->'''Appleton (opposing lawyer):''' Your Honor, I object!
--->'''Fletcher:''' You would!
--->'''Appleton:''' [[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]
--->'''Fletcher:''' JEZEBEL! (everyone cracks up and can't continue)
--->'''Appleton (opposing lawyer):''' Your Honor, I object!
--->'''Fletcher:''' You would!
--->'''Appleton:''' [[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]
--->'''Fletcher:''' JEZEBEL! (everyone cracks up and can't continue)
to:
--->'''Kurtz:''' (still laughing)I'm sorry, he(pointing to director Tom Shadyac) made me do it!
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* BunnyEarsLawyer: Even acting completely insane, Fletcher is still an exceptional attorney.
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* InsultBackfire: Fletcher hurls a metric ton of verbal abuse at his boss who finds it hilarious. He then goes all the way and insults everyone in the room who all laugh at his insults.
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Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Judge:''' Commendable, Mr. Reed, but I'm still waiting to hear good cause; do you have one or not?
to:
-->'''Judge:''' Commendable, Mr. Reed, Reede, but I'm still waiting to hear good cause; do you have one or not?
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Deleted line(s) 28,29 (click to see context) :
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Fletcher destroys another man's family in order to save his own, though that family was already being ripped apart anyway, and Fletcher's realization that "winning the case" had rewarded a cheating spouse by punishing the loyal spouse and good parent was part of what inspired him to change.]]
** [[spoiler: He did reward a cheating spouse, but the husband was a rich old guy who'd consciously married a teenaged gold-digger, so let's not shed too many tears. And while she's suing for sole custody, there's no reason to assume she'll get it.]]
** [[spoiler: He did reward a cheating spouse, but the husband was a rich old guy who'd consciously married a teenaged gold-digger, so let's not shed too many tears. And while she's suing for sole custody, there's no reason to assume she'll get it.]]
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Changed line(s) 116 (click to see context) from:
** He also learns, to his horror, that he can't ask witnesses in court rehearsed questions if he knows they're going to lie. And he demonstrates a zig-zagging inability to not tell the direct truth -- he never tells the judge he's ill but then talks as if he is, but when asked if he can proceed with the trial after his "mugging", he says yes instead of simply stating he'd prefer not to.
to:
** He also learns, to his horror, that he can't ask witnesses in court rehearsed questions if he knows they're going to lie. And he demonstrates a zig-zagging inability to not to tell the direct truth -- he never tells the judge he's ill but then talks as if he is, but when asked if he can proceed with the trial after his "mugging", he says yes instead of simply stating he'd prefer not to.
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Changed line(s) 129,130 (click to see context) from:
'''Judge''': [[CaptainObvious Overruled]].\\
'''Fletcher''': [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Good call]]!
'''Fletcher''': [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Good call]]!
to:
'''Judge''': [[CaptainObvious Overruled]].Overruled.\\
'''Fletcher''':[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Good call]]!call!
'''Fletcher''':
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Changed line(s) 75 (click to see context) from:
--->'''Fletcher:''' JEZEBEL! (everyone cracks up and can't continue.
to:
--->'''Fletcher:''' JEZEBEL! (everyone cracks up and can't continue.continue)
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Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
->'''Max Reede:''' My dad? He's... a [[FreudianSlip liar]].\\
to:
->'''Max Reede:''' My dad? He's... a [[FreudianSlip liar]].liar.\\
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Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
** [[spoiler: Actually this bout of honesty does get him noticed by a fellow firm, and it is stated that they'll appeal the decision. So hey, not all bad.]]
to:
** [[spoiler: Actually this bout of honesty does He did reward a cheating spouse, but the husband was a rich old guy who'd consciously married a teenaged gold-digger, so let's not shed too many tears. And while she's suing for sole custody, there's no reason to assume she'll get him noticed by a fellow firm, and it is stated that they'll appeal the decision. So hey, not all bad.it.]]
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* EvilHand: In the Blue Pen scene (which is not red).
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Changed line(s) 69,72 (click to see context) from:
---> '''Fletcher:''' "105 pounds! Yeah... in your BRA!"\\
'''Appleton (opposing lawyer):''' "Your Honor, I object!"\\
'''Fletcher:''' "You would!"\\
'''Appleton:''' "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
'''Appleton (opposing lawyer):''' "Your Honor, I object!"\\
'''Fletcher:''' "You would!"\\
'''Appleton:''' "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
to:
'''Appleton
--->'''Appleton (opposing lawyer):'''
'''Fletcher:''' "You would!"\\
'''Appleton:''' "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
--->'''Fletcher:''' You would!
--->'''Appleton:''' [[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]
--->'''Fletcher:''' JEZEBEL! (everyone cracks up and can't continue.
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** "About 6'2'', 180 pounds, big teeth, kinda gangly." [Closes mouth to cover teeth]
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Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* GagBoobs: Fletcher's interactions with his new neighbour, played by Krista Allen, who is best known for the ''Emmanuelle In Space'' series. And of course, Mrs. Cole being played by Jennifer Tilly doesn't hurt...
to:
* GagBoobs: Fletcher's interactions with his new neighbour, neighbor, played by Krista Allen, who is best known for the ''Emmanuelle In Space'' series. And of course, Mrs. Cole being played by Jennifer Tilly doesn't hurt...
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* HurricaneOfEuphemisms: "You slammed her! You dunked her donut! You gave her dog a Snausage! ''YOU STUFFED HER LIKE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY!''" [Makes gobbling noises]
to:
* HurricaneOfEuphemisms: "You slammed her! You dunked her donut! doughnut! You gave her dog a Snausage! ''YOU STUFFED HER LIKE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY!''" [Makes gobbling noises]
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Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
Lawyer Fletcher Reede is both career-focused and (as his profession demands) an expert in lying. His son Max (Justin Cooper) gets frustrated at his father always breaking his promises and not spending time with him, the breaking point coming when his father misses his birthday party (his father says he's working; his boss is actually [[IfYouKnowWhatIMean working him]]). Disillusioned once again, Max [[MakeAWish wishes while blowing out his cake candles]] that Fletcher couldn't tell a lie for just one day.
to:
Lawyer Fletcher Reede is both career-focused and (as his profession demands) an expert in lying. His son Max (Justin Cooper) gets frustrated at his father always breaking his promises and not spending time with him, the breaking point coming when his father misses his birthday party (his father says he's working; his boss is actually [[IfYouKnowWhatIMean [[DoubleEntendre working him]]). Disillusioned once again, Max [[MakeAWish wishes while blowing out his cake candles]] that Fletcher couldn't tell a lie for just one day.
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Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
Lawyer Fletcher Reede is both career-focused and (as his profession demands) an expert in lying. His son Max (JustinCooper) gets frustrated at him two days in a row (first when he promises to take him to the wrestling... and gets a lot of work to do at the last hour; and then misses Max's birthday party while... well, while his boss Miranda (AmandaDonohoe) is keeping him "busy"). Disillusioned once again, Max [[MakeAWish wishes while blowing out his cake candles]] that Fletcher couldn't tell a lie for just one day.
to:
Lawyer Fletcher Reede is both career-focused and (as his profession demands) an expert in lying. His son Max (JustinCooper) (Justin Cooper) gets frustrated at him two days in a row (first when he his father always breaking his promises to take him to and not spending time with him, the wrestling... and gets a lot of work to do at the last hour; and then breaking point coming when his father misses Max's his birthday party while... well, while (his father says he's working; his boss Miranda (AmandaDonohoe) is keeping him "busy").actually [[IfYouKnowWhatIMean working him]]). Disillusioned once again, Max [[MakeAWish wishes while blowing out his cake candles]] that Fletcher couldn't tell a lie for just one day.
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Changed line(s) 69,72 (click to see context) from:
--> Fletcher: "105 pounds! Yeah... in your BRA!"\\
Appleton (opposing lawyer): "Your Honor, I object!"\\
Fletcher: "You would!"\\
Appleton: "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
Appleton (opposing lawyer): "Your Honor, I object!"\\
Fletcher: "You would!"\\
Appleton: "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
to:
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moving to correct namespace
Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
[[redirect:LiarLiar]]
to:
->'''Max Reede:''' My dad? He's... a [[FreudianSlip liar]].\\
'''Teacher:''' A liar? I-I'm sure you don't mean a ''liar''...\\
'''Max Reede:''' Well, he wears a suit and goes to court and talks to the judge.\\
'''Teacher:''' Oh, I see! You mean he's a ''lawyer''. \\
'''Max Reede:''' [shrugs]
''Liar Liar'' is a 1997 comedy starring JimCarrey.
Lawyer Fletcher Reede is both career-focused and (as his profession demands) an expert in lying. His son Max (JustinCooper) gets frustrated at him two days in a row (first when he promises to take him to the wrestling... and gets a lot of work to do at the last hour; and then misses Max's birthday party while... well, while his boss Miranda (AmandaDonohoe) is keeping him "busy"). Disillusioned once again, Max [[MakeAWish wishes while blowing out his cake candles]] that Fletcher couldn't tell a lie for just one day.
[[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor And the wish works]]. Fletcher is absolutely incapable of saying any lie no matter how big or small, or even asking a question if he knows the answer is going to be a lie, ''[[HumiliationConga or even deceiving by remaining silent]]''. He quickly finds just how much he really does lie in one day and how much trouble he gets into because of telling the absolute truth...
...on the day that not only Fletcher has one of the most important cases of his life, with defenses built mostly on lies, but Audrey (MauraTierney), Fletcher's ex-wife (and Max's mom) is interested in moving with her boyfriend to Boston, and bringing Max along! HilarityEnsues.
If you're looking for the {{trope}} on extremely good liars, see ConsummateLiar.
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!!{{Trope}}s used include:
* AccidentalTruth
* ActorAllusion:
--> '''Max:''' If I keep making this face *makes silly face* will it be stuck that way?
--> '''Fletcher:''' Uh-uh, in fact [[SelfDeprecation some people make a good living that way.]]
* {{Adorkable}}: Jerry
* AmoralAttorney: Fletcher, at first.
* BigYes: Fletcher belts one out after [[spoiler:preventing the plane to Boston from taking off]]... followed immediately by a BigNo as [[spoiler:he crashes into a pile of traveling bags and cargo]].
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Fletcher destroys another man's family in order to save his own, though that family was already being ripped apart anyway, and Fletcher's realization that "winning the case" had rewarded a cheating spouse by punishing the loyal spouse and good parent was part of what inspired him to change.]]
** [[spoiler: Actually this bout of honesty does get him noticed by a fellow firm, and it is stated that they'll appeal the decision. So hey, not all bad.]]
* BrutalHonesty: To his clients, to total strangers, and to himself.
* CannotTellALie: Or even refuse to answer a question.
* CassandraTruth
-->'''Judge Stevens:''' I'll have to hear good cause, counsel. What's the problem?
-->'''Fletcher:''' (''strains'') "...'''''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis I! CAN'T! LIE!]]'''''"
-->'''Judge:''' Commendable, Mr. Reed, but I'm still waiting to hear good cause; do you have one or not?
* CastingCouch: Fletcher sleeps with his (female, good-looking) boss in the hope that it'll help his career. His son's birthday wish takes effect at exactly the wrong time...
* CharacterDevelopment: Fletcher realizes all his mistakes and becomes more sincere and careful about his relationship with his family (especially with his son) as the movie goes on.
* ChewbaccaDefense: In a cut scene.
* CheatingWithTheMilkman: If you listen closely to the "sex tape" you can hear the man Samantha Cole is with say "I have to go clean the pool."
* CoolOldLady: Greta, Fletcher's secretary.
* DeadpanSnarker: Fletcher, indeed.
* DerailingLoveInterests: Averted. Jerry is introduced as a genuinely nice and sweet man who treats Audrey and Max well, and although he doesn't care for Fletcher he's civil to him. When he realizes Fletcher still loves his family and the lengths he'll go to in order to keep them, he lets them go and just lets Audrey know he's there if she changes her mind. The only thing you could really say about him is that he's a bit of a goofball, which Audrey admits he can be sometimes.
* DidIJustSayThatOutLoud: "... ''I've had better??''"
* DiggingYourselfDeeper
* DisposableFiance
* DivorceIsTemporary: Fletcher and Audrey get back together in the final scene. They of course ask their son if he made another birthday wish to cause it.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Fletcher when trying to get home after learning Audrey is going to move. "I'm an inconsiderate prick!"
* EurekaMoment: [[spoiler:Right when the case seems lost, Fletcher's client makes an off-hand remark about her age. This turns the case upside down.]]
** As well when Audrey tells Fletcher about what Max wished for the previous night.
* EvilLawyerJoke: The page quote. And, indeed, the whole film.
* ExactWords: Fletcher can't use them, but he can be caught by anyone ''else'' using them. As it says elsewhere on this page, not only can he not lie, but he can't even evade the truth, deceive while remaining silent or choose not to answer. Several times he gets into trouble because he is asked a question which he could have given a better answer to if the other person had just happened to phrase it differently.
** When Fletcher calls his boss "a worthless steaming pile of cow dung" he has to add on the tag "figuratively speaking."
** Best example: "Is that justice?!"
* FaceFault: Only JimCarrey can get away with doing one and make it look funny.
* FalseReassurance: He does manage to pull this off once, though. In order to get an extension on the trial without lying he beats himself up in the bathroom, stumbles into the court and truthfully describes his attacker (himself).
* FirstFatherWins
* FlippingTheBird: "Here's your raise!"
* FreudianSlip
* FrivolousLawsuit: Fletcher's current case isn't one (although it is fraudulent), but he isn't against taking cases like this:
-->'''Greta:''' Mr. Reede, several years ago a friend of mine had a burglar on her roof, a burglar. He fell through the kitchen skylight, landed on a cutting board, on a butcher's knife, cutting his leg. The burglar sued my friend, he sued my friend. And because of guys like you ''he won''. My friend had to pay the burglar $6,000. Is that justice?
-->'''Fletcher:''' No! [{{beat}}] I'd have got him ten.
* GagBoobs: Fletcher's interactions with his new neighbour, played by Krista Allen, who is best known for the ''Emmanuelle In Space'' series. And of course, Mrs. Cole being played by Jennifer Tilly doesn't hurt...
* {{Gasshole}}: "It was me!" [[spoiler: as Fletcher retreats from an elevator whose other passengers are holding their noses and looking daggers at him.]]
* GoldDigger
* {{Headdesk}}
* HeelRealization: "Lemme tell ''you'' somethin'! ''I'm a bad father!'' ... I mean... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone I'm a bad father]]..."
* HilariousOuttakes: It's a Jim Carrey movie. What else would you expect?
** "Mrs Cole! .... A goose!"
--> Fletcher: "105 pounds! Yeah... in your BRA!"\\
Appleton (opposing lawyer): "Your Honor, I object!"\\
Fletcher: "You would!"\\
Appleton: "''[[ChewingTheScenery Overactor!]]''"
* HurricaneOfEuphemisms: "You slammed her! You dunked her donut! You gave her dog a Snausage! ''YOU STUFFED HER LIKE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY!''" [Makes gobbling noises]
* IgnoringBySinging: Fletcher knows he is cursed to speak the truth when answering a question, but not if he can't hear the question!
* TheImmodestOrgasm: Mrs Cole, revealed by her "sex tape".
* InflationaryDialogue
* [[HumiliationConga Insult To Injury]]: A passerby giving Fletcher money as he sags despondently on the courthouse steps following his self-inflicted beatdown.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: [[spoiler: Jerry lets Audrey stay in LA so Max doesn't have to be away from his father.]]
* LargeHam: The outtakes even have this exchange:
-->'''Swoosie Kurtz''': Your Honor, I object!\\
'''Carrey''': You would!\\
'''Kurtz''': Overactor!\\
'''Carrey''': [[IResembleThatRemark JE-ZE-BEL!!!]]
** Followed by Kurtz pointing to someone off-camera (Tom Shadyac, the director), saying he put her up to it, and Carrey hugs her, mugging hammily, "Oh no! They're on to me!"
* LongList: When Fletcher is stopped after reckless driving...
-->'''Officer:''' You know why I pulled you over?\\
'''Fletcher:''' Depends on how long you were following me! [winces] \\
'''Officer:''' Why don't we just take it from the top?\\
'''Fletcher:''' [sighs] Here goes...I sped, I followed too closely, I ran a stop sign, I almost hit a Chevy, I sped some more, I failed to yield at a crosswalk, I changed lanes at the intersection, I changed lanes without signaling ''while running a red light'' '''and speeding'''!\\
'''Officer''': Is that all?\\
'''Fletcher''': [groaning] No... [gestures with his eyes; when the cop doesn't get it, says] I have unpaid parking tickets. [Opens his glove compartment and there are so many tickets they spill out; whimpers] Be gentle.
* MadnessMantra: THE PEN IS '''[[color:blue:BLUE.]]''' THE PEN IS '''[[color:blue:BLUE!!]]'''
* MagicalRealism: How the birthday wish came true is never explained. It seems it just sometimes happens in the movie's world.
-->'''Fletcher:''' This is one of those 24-hour curses.\\
'''Greta:''' [[SarcasmMode Yeah, those've been going around.]]
* MakeAWish: The film's AppliedPhlebotinum.
* MotorMouth: See LongList.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone
* NoIndoorVoice: Pretty much any of Fletcher's pronouncements after the realization sets in, but maybe most famously: '''[[MemeticMutation STOP BREAKIN' THE LAW, ASSHOOOOOLE!]]'''
* OffOnATechnicality: [[spoiler:How Fletcher wins the trial. He even cites it.]]
* OrganAutonomy: THE CLAW!
* PenultimateOutburst
* PrinciplesZealot: Essentially, this is the result of the wish--Fletcher is an unwilling zealot, admittedly, but his behavior matches a classic comedic PrinciplesZealot pretty closely.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: "'''''[[LargeHam I! CAN'T! LIE!]]'''''"
* RaceForYourLove: Interesting version - it's a father's love for his son that's being raced for here.
* ReallyGetsAround:
-->'''Fletcher''': After all that, your husband wants to deny you a fair and equitable share of the marital assets based on one single act of indiscretion.\\
'''Mrs. Cole''': Seven.\\
'''Fletcher''': Pardon me?
* ReallySeventeenYearsOld: [[spoiler:Fletcher discovers that Mrs. Cole lied about her age when she got married, rendering the prenuptial and the original marriage contract void, but leaving her still entitled to half her (ex)husband's wealth as they had lived together long enough to be considered common-law married anyways.]]
* RefugeInAudacity: Fletcher's immediate boss learns of his current problem and takes him to the firm's board meeting where he regretfully tells everyone the honest truth of what he thinks of them. They end up in stitches laughing, loving the no-holds barred roasting.
* RequiredSecondaryPowers: In a way, and for plot purposes. Not only does he have a truth-telling "superpower", but he also seems to be incapable of holding back the truth that is on his mind and spits it right out. For instance when he's pulled over by the police Fletcher seems incapable of reserving his 5th amendment right to stay silent, or simply say "yes" when asked if he knows why he was pulled over. (See "Long List" above for a quote from the scene).
** He also learns, to his horror, that he can't ask witnesses in court rehearsed questions if he knows they're going to lie. And he demonstrates a zig-zagging inability to not tell the direct truth -- he never tells the judge he's ill but then talks as if he is, but when asked if he can proceed with the trial after his "mugging", he says yes instead of simply stating he'd prefer not to.
* SarcasticConfession: When forced to tell the senior partners what he really thinks of them, [[RefugeInAudacity he saves himself from near-certain firing]] when the chairman thinks he's being roasted and starts laughing.
* SelfDeprecation / LampshadeHanging:
-->'''Max:''' If I keep making this face (makes a face) will it get stuck that way?\\
'''Fletcher:''' Not in a million years--in fact, some people make a good living that way.
** Also qualifies as ActorAllusion and HypocriticalHumor.
* SpitTake: Reede does a rather ''epic'' one right before his ThatWasObjectionable moment.
* StealthInsult: See SarcasticConfession.
* TakingTheKids
* ThatWasObjectionable:
-->'''Fletcher''': Your honor, I object!\\
'''Judge''': And why is that, Mr. Reede?\\
'''Fletcher''': Because it's devastating to my case!\\
'''Judge''': [[CaptainObvious Overruled]].\\
'''Fletcher''': [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Good call]]!
* TongueTied
* TruthSerum
* TheUnfairSex: Parodied. JenniferTilly's character ReallyGetsAround, but Fletcher convinces her that she was "driven into the arms of another man." Meanwhile, he's pretty much lost his son as a result of his own infidelity.
-->'''Audrey:''' You forget that when we were married, I wasn't having sex nearly as often as you were.
* VolleyingInsults: The scene in the LargeHam quote.
* WhenYouComingHomeDad
* WoundedGazelleGambit: Fletcher beats the everliving crap out of himself in the bathroom so that the court session could be postponed. When asked who did it, he describes the assailant--himself--as "A madman, your honor! A desperate fool on the end of his pitiful rope!" Still, Fletcher's scheme fails when he's forced to admit that he still feels physically able to continue with the case.
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