The Cable Guy

As Architect Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick) navigates the aftermath of a failed marriage proposal to Robin Harris (Leslie Mann), he finds himself in need of a distraction from the heartache. His friend Rick's (Jack Black) counsel leads him to seek out Ernie "Chip" Douglas (Jim Carrey), a charismatic cable installer with an unorthodox approach to customer service.

Their initial encounter is marked by Chip's tardiness, but Steven soon finds himself drawn into the eccentric installer's world. Chip reveals that his childhood was shaped by the absence of his single mother, leaving him to find solace in television. This confession comes as a surprise to Steven, who is struck by Chip's vulnerability.

As their friendship deepens, Chip proves to be an intrusive presence in Steven's life, crashing a casual basketball game and leaving a trail of messages on his answering machine. Despite this, Steven finds himself drawn into Chip's orbit, agreeing to watch "Sleepless in Seattle" together - only to discover that the cable is out, forcing him to call Chip for assistance.

Their relationship takes a turn when Steven hosts a party at his apartment, inviting Chip's other preferred customers to join them. In the midst of the revelry, Steven finds himself swept up in a romantic encounter with a young guest, unaware that this mysterious woman - Heather (revealed by Chip as a prostitute) - was specifically brought to the party for his benefit.

The revelation sends Steven into a tailspin of anger and betrayal, prompting him to eject Chip from his apartment. As he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions, Steven is left to ponder the true cost of his friendship with the enigmatic Chip.

As Chip's contrition takes on a life of its own, he sets his sights on reuniting with Robin, who has since moved on to Owen Wilson's character. Donning a disguise, Chip exacts a brutal revenge in a restaurant restroom, warning the unsuspecting suitor to keep a safe distance from Robin. Later, under the guise of a thoughtful gift from Steven, Chip upgrades Robin's cable package, ultimately prompting her decision to rekindle their romance. However, when Chip reveals his role in their reunion, Steven graciously terminates their relationship, leaving Chip shattered and consumed by a burning desire for revenge.

In a misguided attempt to even the score, Chip orchestrates a series of vengeful acts, starting with the arrest of Steven on trumped-up charges of possession (a stern-faced arresting officer, who just happens to be one of Chip's most valued customers). As Steven navigates the challenges of life behind bars, courtesy of his father Earl Kovacs' (George Segal) generous bail, Chip seizes the opportunity to humiliate him further by flaunting their strained relationship during a family dinner with Robin in tow. The evening's festivities are marked by a cringe-worthy game of Password, where Steven's frustration boils over as he lambasts Chip for his transparent attempts to sabotage their reconciliation.

The next day, Steven's professional life takes a devastating hit when Chip broadcasts a private conversation, secretly recorded while installing cable at Steven's home, onto the company's computer network. This latest betrayal prompts Steven to seek the assistance of Rick, who uncovers a web of deceit surrounding Chip's own troubled past with the cable company, where he was terminated for stalking customers and employed various TV characters as aliases (including the infamous duo of Chip and Ernie Douglas from My Three Sons and Larry Tate from Bewitched).

As tensions between the two friends reach a boiling point, Chip makes a chilling phone call to Steven, informing him that he's paying Robin a visit. Following a disquieting sojourn at her empty apartment, Steven tracks them down to the satellite dish, where Chip has taken Robin hostage in a torrential downpour. A fierce struggle ensues, culminating in Steven's daring rescue of Robin and a brutal showdown with his erstwhile friend. As the authorities arrive on the scene, Chip offers a belated apology for his egregious betrayal, a mea culpa that comes far too late to salvage their fractured friendship.

As the stakes reach a boiling point, Chip makes a bold declaration: he must eliminate the babysitter to ensure that no one else is forever changed by his own peculiar circumstances. With an air of reckless abandon, he leaps backward from the rooftop perch above the satellite dish, plummeting toward its metal surface with the precision of a diver. The impact sends shockwaves through the city's communication networks, silencing the television signals that had once brought entertainment and distraction to its residents. Miraculously, Chip emerges from the fall with only minor injuries to his back, but not before delivering a parting gift to Steven: a haunting goodbye that leaves an indelible mark on their fractured bond. As rescue helicopters swoop in to whisk Chip away from the chaos he's created, a paramedic approaches him with a comforting smile and a reassuring nod of camaraderie, only to be met by Chip's insidious grin - a telltale sign that the cycle of obsession is poised to repeat itself, as if fueled by some twisted sense of inevitability.