Ted was a geek in high school, who was going to go to the prom with one of the most popular girls in school, Mary. The prom date never happened, because Ted had a very unusual accident. Thirteen years later he realizes he is still in love with Mary, so he hires a private investigator to track her down. That investigator discovers he too may be in love with Mary, so he gives Ted some false information to keep him away from her. But soon Ted finds himself back into Mary’s life, as we watch one funny scene after another.

Movie Quotes

Mary: I want a guy who can play 36 holes of golf, and still have enough energy to take Warren and me to a baseball game, and eat sausages, and beer, not lite beer, but beer. That’s my ad, print it up.
Brenda: “Fatty who likes golf and beer.” Gee, Mary, where are you gonna find a gem like that?

Pat Healy: Really, it’s only a side thing for my true passion.
Mary: And what’s that?
Pat Healy: I work with retards.
Mary: Isn’t that a little politically incorrect?
Pat Healy: Yeah, maybe, but hell, no one’s gonna tell me who I can and can’t work with.

Mary: You’ve been to Nepal?
Pat Healy: Not in months, I don’t know why I bought the damn place.

Ted: Do you think maybe you wanna maybe, I don’t know, go out to dinner, you know, catch up on old times?
Mary: Didn’t we just do that?
Ted: Oh, uh…
Mary: I’m fucking with you, Ted!

Mary: Hey, you want to go upstairs and watch SportsCenter?
Ted: No, I think I’m just going to quit while I’m ahead.
Mary: You’re not that far ahead, Ted.

Mary: Is that… is that hair gel?

Production notes

Cameron Diaz, playing the object of everyone’s affections, the lovely Mary, caps off the endorsements when she exclaims, “Peter and Bobby cross every line in this movie, which is outrageous and totally unique. The thing you learn very quickly with them is that you can never go too far.”

In searching for the right actress to portray Mary, the Farrellys campaigned for Cameron Diaz to embody their alluring title character in the film, and pushed back the film’s start date to accommodate her schedule. “Mary is sort of the ideal girl,” Diaz comments. And does the actress find much in common with her character? “That’s difficult to answer,” she shares, “because you always see yourself in your character. But, although Mary did seem familiar, I always approached her as a character.”

But one of her directors begs to disagree. “Cameron is Mary,” offers Peter Farrelly. “Like Mary, Cameron seems like the ultimate woman. Every guy on the set was crazy about her.” Concurring with his brother, co-director Bobby Farrelly confesses, “Her character is supposed to be the most appealing woman in the world. And, everybody likes Cameron. She’s beautiful, sweet, fun and nice ” a great personality.”

There’s Something About Mary began principal photography on location in Providence, Rhode Island, a stone’s throw from the town of Cumberland, where the Farrelly Brothers grew up. South Florida hosted the production for the bulk of its ten-week shooting schedule. Upon their arrival in Providence, the co-directors took their designated posts on the set ” Peter on-set with the actors, and Bobby behind the video monitors. The cast found this dual experience both interesting and confusing. “It’s really interesting the way they worked together,” Diaz observes. “There was no competitiveness. They worked totally harmoniously, with Peter as sort of the front man and Bobby behind-the-scenes.” Adds Stiller, “They have the perfect relationship as brothers, co-writers and co-directors.”

Awards and nominations

Won – American Comedy Award – Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture
Won – Blockbuster Entertainment Award – Favorite Comedy Actress
Won – MTV Movie Award – Best Female Performance
Won – New York Film Critics Circle Award – Best Actress
Won – Teen Choice Award – Most Disgusting Film Scene
Nominated – ALMA Award – Best Actress in a Feature Film in a Crossover Role
Nominated – Golden Globe – Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Nominated – MTV Movie Award – Best Comedic Performance
Nominated – MTV Movie Award – Best Kiss (shared with Ben Stiller)
Nominated – MTV Movie Award – Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Ben Stiller)
Nominated – Teen Choice Award – Choice Film Actress