There’s Something About Mary: Gross-Out Comedy Meets Miami Charm

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Nerdy Boy Meets Unforgettable Girl

Geeky high-school loser Ted is in love with the gorgeous and vivacious Mary. Ordinarily, Ted wouldn’t have a chance to talk to Mary, but she approaches him after he defends a mentally-handicapped student from bullies. It turns out the student is her brother, and Mary is so impressed by Ted’s kindness that she not only talks to him, but invites him to the prom.

On prom night, Ted meets Mary’s overprotective stepfather and her unstable brother, surviving relatively unscathed—until he goes to the bathroom. That’s where the mortifying and painful “zipper incident” occurs, abruptly ending prom night and sending Ted on a trip to the ER.

Fast forward thirteen years. Ted doesn’t have braces or frizzy hair anymore, but he still has the hots for Mary. Upon a friend’s recommendation, he hires the slightly sleazy private detective Pat Healy to locate Mary and find out how she’s doing.

Mary is thriving. Now living in Miami, she is gorgeous, successful, and happy, yet still single. Pat uses the information he collects to present himself as Mary’s ideal man. Once Ted discovers Pat’s plan, he goes to Miami himself to stop him and finds himself smitten with Mary all over again. There’s just something about her.

Farrelly Brothers’ Signature Gross-Out Genius

First things first: this is a Farrelly brothers’ movie. Some viewers will instantly opt out, while others will flock to it. The humor in Farrelly films is gross, over-the-top, sometimes offensive—and undeniably hilarious.

There’s Something About Mary opened new doors—both funny and shocking—with the now-legendary “zipper incident” and “hair gel” scenes. These play on the universal fear of embarrassment. Watching horribly embarrassing things happen to Ted and Pat allows the viewer to think, “At least THAT never happened to me,” making the comedy even funnier.

Beyond the gross-out comedy, the film is also a sweet love story. Ted has carried the torch for Mary for so long and wants to see her as an adult, even after Pat tells him outrageous lies about her. Mary, of course, is sweetness and light—caring for neighbors, her brother’s classmates, friends, co-workers, animals, and strangers alike. Viewers hope Ted and Mary will overcome their obstacles and live happily ever after.

Mary’s over-the-top perkiness would be annoying if she were realistic—but she isn’t. Alongside the gross-out humor, the Farrellys have created a fantasy woman: gorgeous, successful, independent, yet somehow single. She plays golf, loves football, hot dogs, and beer, and hangs out effortlessly. There’s something about Mary—she doesn’t exist in real life.

Cameron Diaz sparkles as Mary, taking a gamble after her role in The Mask. Ben Stiller is excellent as the earnest, sweet, former geek-turned-nice guy, and Matt Dillon perfectly inhabits the sleazy, goofy private detective Pat.

The Directors Who Redefine Awkward Comedy

Peter and Bobby Farrelly have built a career making politically incorrect, scatological, shocking, and offensive humor. They’ve directed eleven films together, including Shallow Hal, Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, and, of course, There’s Something About Mary.

Miami Is the Other Star of the Show

Miami is showcased just as much as Mary herself: beautiful, sunny, warm, inviting, and fun. In contrast, the Rhode Island scenes depict a gray, dreary world, like Ted’s life without Mary.

South Florida locations include:

• Paramount Bay Condos – Mary’s apartment
• Big Pink Restaurant – Pat’s meeting spot
• Miami-Dade Cultural Center – Architecture exhibit
• Cardozo Hotel – Ted’s hotel
• Brickell Key Causeway – Mary’s office overlooking the causeway

The filmmakers poke fun at the stereotype of over-tanned sun worshippers through Magda, Mary’s older, wrinklier roommate. She delivers some of the film’s most memorable visual gags and lines.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on August 31, 2008. Updated in 2026 with new photography; with Tampa Film Fan's original perspective preserved.