the Florida Film Festival, and the Philadelphia Film Festival, and the Berkshire Film Festival. Despite positive reviews and winning awards, the producers failed to secure theatrical or home-video distribution. According to Roger Nygard, "I learned the film industry is like selling shoes-they all want brand names, and we didn’t have a brand name. Steve Oedekerk is quite well known as a stand-up comic, but that didn't matter to exhibitors. They wanted film names." The success of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) launched Carrey's film career and renewed interest in High Strung among several independent distributors. The film producers sold the distribution rights to Rocket Pictures which released the film on VHS in 1994. Cast Steve Oedekerk as Thane Furrows, a cynical children's book author and the main protagonist of the film. Thomas F. Wilson as Al Dalby, Thane's idealistic friend who is constantly annoyed by Thane's cynicism. Denise Crosby as Melanie, the demanding and mean-spirited wife of Thane's employer Marvin. Fred Willard as Ray, a jolly insurance salesman who visits Thane at the beginning of the film. Jani Lane as Vol, Thane's obnoxious neighbor who listens to rock-and-roll relentlessly. Ed Williams as Marvin, Thane's good-natured boss and Melanie's husband. Ivy Austin as Contestant Kirsten Dunst as Young Girl Toni Sawyer as Mrs. Furrows, Thane's mother Mark Eugene Roberts as Limo Driver Jim Carrey as Death, the somewhat comedic Grim Reaper who plans to obtain Thane's soul and the main antagonist. References External links American independent films 1991 films 1991 comedy films American comedy films 1991 directorial debut films Films with screenplays by Steve Oedekerk 1990s English-language films Films directed by Roger Nygard 1990s American films