Jim Carrey is Charles, a mild mannered Rhode Island State trooper. He's also Hank, Charles' hot tempered, egotistic alter ego. Sixteen years after Charles' white wife breaks his heart and leaves him with three of her black kids (that he raises like his own), his grin and bare it rubber face finally comes unglued. Charles has been taking everyone's crap from his next door neighbor to the little girl down the street. Hank is the personification of all that penned up steam.

Such a dynamic role should be a great vehicle for this multi-faced comedian. Kind of a toned-down version of "Mask". Or should any of you remember, the 80's Steve Martin flick, "All of Me" where Steve and Lily Tomlin both occupy Steve's body. In fact, in "Irene" Jim Carrey reenacts his own version of the two minds fighting for the same body routine. So it's not new ... it's still entertaining.

Renee Zellweger should also be commended for her outstandingly sexy/endearing role as bad guy's hit target in need of Charles and Hank's police protection. A sort of virtual menage a troif develops.

Very few complications beyond this premise are presented making the film rather linear, road trippy, and simplistic. But the direction is laid back and Carrey's spasm episodes both isolated and jolting ... which surprisingly works. A mellow movie, with contiguous adrenaline induced, often pottie inspired, goofo-moments. Hank has zero sense of gentlemanliness. Carrey carries both roles rolling on his state trouper motorbike. He's funny, she's sincere ... a film of contrasts.

Actually, dramatically speaking, when Hank eventually becomes cognizant of his relentless rudeness the emotional force of the film very nearly swells. I would have liked to have seen the film continue in this direction, balancing with Charles baby stepping into the taking charge department. Ultimately, the filmmakers couldn't pass up the comedic value of an all out fight for the one body and of course, the girl to boot. Fortunately, it's funny, really.

Overall, this isn't the all out consistently goofy, dumb-n-dumber type of Jim Carrey film. It instead follows a more conventional plot line with those scary-Carrey grains sprinkled on top. A strong B+, I enjoyed it.

If you like it too, try renting "Mask" and/or "All of me" -- they're both maybe even a little better.