The Truman Show

The Truman Show

82% Liked It
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The Truman Show

Jim Carrey, Natascha McElhone, Laura Linney, Ed Harris

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

Id: 2123600

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Recent Reviews


  • November 22, 2009
    The Truman Show was ahead of it?s time in terms of a take off of ?reality tv?, yet it could almost have been seen as a prediction of times to come.

    For me the creation and notion of this film is one of originality and can be pretty thought provoking. One of Carrey?s first sem...( read more)i-serious roles and one which suited him well.

    The shameless advertising gives an added confirmation of the Reality style tv shows and is a clever move. The perfect environment is perhaps something many people strive for, but this shows the lengths to go to to create such a place.
  • October 3, 2009
    Movie of a lifetime, literally.
  • September 22, 2009
    I didn't really get into it. I hate Carrey in these roles and Peter Weir has been so much better!
  • October 28, 2008
    "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.
  • July 2, 2008
    This film has soooo many implications.
  • December 25, 2009
    I didn't like this film all the other Jim Carrey films have been so much better.I liked him in Liar Liar,Lemoney Snickets,Fun with dick and Jane,the number 23 and the grinch stole christmas.But I found the storyline in this boring and it just wasn't as funny.
    I just didn't laugh...( read more) at all in this and I usually find Jim Carrey to be quite funny perhaps I just was expecting something that this film just didn't have.Well my mother or father doesn't like this so that says it all.
    This film for me was not well delivered.If you are a big Jim Carrey fan them try it but if you want a luagh then this film will not deliver that so try another film with Jim Carrey a better one like Liar Liar,Lemony Snickets or Fun with Dick and Jane they were great Jim Carrey fims.
  • December 25, 2009
    one of the best movie for jim carey
  • December 20, 2009
    Carrey gives one of his better performances in a great movie.
  • December 19, 2009
    The concept is cool but it is pretty mean to have someone really think they are living a normal life when everyone around them are actors and nothing is real
  • December 15, 2009
    A pretty solid performance by Jim Carey, and good movie too.

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