The Truman Show poster & wallpaper

Jim Carrey, Natascha McElhone, Laura Linney

The whole world is watching--literally--every time Truman Burbank makes the slightest move. Unbeknownst to him, in this hauntingly funny film by Peter Weir, his entire life has been an unending soap o...( read more  read more... )pera for consumption by the rest of the world. And everyone he knows--including his mother, his wife, and his best friend--is really an actor, paid to be part of his life. In this intriguing and surprisingly touching 1998 film, writer Andrew Niccol imagines an ultimate kind of celebrity, then sees it brought to life with comic intensity and emotional honesty by Jim Carrey in what may be the performance of his career. Carrey has exceptional support from Laura Linney and Ed Harris, but it's his show, in a portrayal that demonstrates just what kind of range Carrey is capable of. --Marshall Fine

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82% liked it

367,461 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

96 critics

PG, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Peter Weir

Release Date: June 5, 1998

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DVD Release Date: January 26, 1999

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Stats: 23,339 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (23,339)

  • Eastersausage
    October 3, 2009
    Eastersausage
    Movie of a lifetime, literally.
  • SirPant
    September 22, 2009
    SirPant
    I didn't really get into it. I hate Carrey in these roles and Peter Weir has been so much better!
  • mrpopcorn
    October 28, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    "On The Air. Unaware."

    Peter Weir directed this comedy-drama, a commentary on all-pervasive media manipulation. Scripted by Andrew M. Niccol (Gattaca), the film plays like a combination of the British TV series The Prisoner and Paul Bartel's The Secret Cinema. Truman Bu...( read more)rbank (Jim Carrey) is unaware that his entire life is a hugely popular 24-hour-a-day TV series. In this real-time documentary, every moment of Truman's existence is captured by concealed cameras and telecast to a giant global audience. His friends and family are actors who smile pleasantly at Truman's familiar catchphrase greeting, "In case I don't see you later, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!" Employed at an insurance company, Truman is married to merry Meryl (Laura Linney), and they live in the cheerful community of Seahaven, an island "paradise" where the weather is always mild and no unpleasantness intrudes. This is the basic situation of the series, which has grown over the years into a billion-dollar franchise for the TV network. As an unwanted pregnancy, Truman was adopted by the network and raised in the zoolike environment of a TV soundstage. Thus, the TV audience became hooked when Truman was very young. Now, at age 30, he still doesn't know he's a prisoner on an immense domed city-size soundstage, simulating Seahaven. Both the illusion and the ratings will collapse if Truman ever leaves Seahaven. In addition to elaborate events staged to make sure he stays put, Truman is given constant reminders of how wonderful Seahaven is compared to dangers in other parts of the world. However, his growing suspicions make him curious enough to try to leave, and the show's director and master manipulator Christof (Ed Harris) must constantly devise ways to thwart Truman's escape attempts. To enter the harbor, Truman must overcome his fear of water, intentionally instilled in him when his father "died" in a boating accident and was written out of the script. Exteriors were filmed in the Victorian-styled upscale community of Seaside, Florida. In addition to the Burkhard Dallwitz score, original music by Philip Glass and classical excerpts are also featured.

    Review
    I admire this film most for its originality; it's a comment on our times without being overly-satirical, it reflects who we are and what direction our media is going in without cynicism. Andrew Niccol's idea is a creative and viable one in today's world, and Peter Weir wonderfully directs The Truman Show using interesting camera angles. And of course, Jim Carrey is phenomenal as Truman Burbank--comedic, dramatic, wonderful. I hope he does more films like this. This shows he can handle serious movies as well, yet still be light-hearted at times. He certainly deserved and Oscar in my opinion for his performance. Please see this movie and above all--think about who we are and what we are doing with our media.
  • lyndsiekivell
    July 2, 2008
    lyndsiekivell
    This film has soooo many implications.
  • jmanard52
    June 29, 2008
    jmanard52
    One of the few times i could stand Jim Carrey. This movie was much better than i expected considering my dislike for Carrey
  • billh137
    November 8, 2009
    billh137
    didn't like this one not one of Jim Carrey's best I thought, but again worth watching once.
  • sparks235
    November 7, 2009
    sparks235
    Loved it, because it had plenty of action and obstacles for Jim Carrey to overcome!
  • bloomin1
    November 7, 2009
    bloomin1
    Not the b est of Jim Carrey
  • maxwelleite
    November 7, 2009
    maxwelleite
    Bom drama com pitadas de sci-fi.
  • mrsdepp10
    November 1, 2009
    mrsdepp10
    i love jim carrey i would say almost all of his movies r awesome almost

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Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The underlying ideas made the movie more than just entertainment. Like Gattaca, the previous film written by Niccol, it brings into focus the new values that technology is forcing on humanity. full review

View more The Truman Show reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • therightfit
    July 29, 2008
    therightfit
    Wonderful allegory of life on earth and the search for Truth. Filled with spiritual references and satirical humor. Andrew Niccol's finest screenplay. Superb musical score by Philip Glass. Excellent direction by Peter Weir. Outstanding supporting cast.
  • areew
    April 5, 2007
    areew
    I think I saw an episode of The Twilight Zone years before this, about secret cameras watching a poor unaware guy. Not a full movie nor as well executed as Truman Show though.
  • Arryl
    December 2, 2006
    Arryl
    I concur! What a great exit! I love how the movie ended!
  • HotMormonGirl
    November 23, 2006
    HotMormonGirl
    What an exit! I'm serious. I don't normally like Jim Carrey, cuz he generally is dirty, but this, and the Mask, is one of my favorites!
  • chary12
    September 9, 2006
    chary12
    Descartes questioned reality before; it is like a Matrix but MTV style, I love it!! I love how he says goodbye!!! how calm he was, wow!!!
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The Truman Show Trivia

  • In what movie was Jim Carey playing a man who's whole life was a reality show?  Answer »
  • "I am the Creator - of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions".  Answer »
  • From where is the line :"you never had a camera in my head"?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Jim Carrey play a man who was trapped in another made up world as a reality show?  Answer »
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