The Truman Show Review
by Matthew DeMizio (matthewd AT hsbr DOT org)June 10th, 1998
The Truman Show (1998)
http://us.imdb.com/Title?Truman+Show,+The+(1998)
This has been the finest movie that I have seen in a while. I walked into the theater with the praise for the movie ringing in my ears. "4 Stars!" "Excellent...Drama becomes Carrey!" "Brilliant!"...
The praise is well deserved.
The movie follows Truman Burbank (Carrey) on his very own television show - The Truman Show. However, Truman doesn't know that it's a show - he lives it unaware, as an audience of millions watches. Truman lives beneath a great dome - the largest soundstage ever constructed (complete with 5000+ cameras) The entire operation is controlled by Christof (Ed Harris), the director, from the "moon" - or what looks like the moon to Truman.
The entire purpose of the setup is so that Truman can lead a "normal life" - the life that Christof has planned for him. Sure, bad things happen to Truman, but he always bounces back. Christof always assures that.
Truman begins to question his world when things malfunction on the inside. He begins to ask questions about the nature of life and what is real. The movie follows his quest to find the answers.
The closest feeling that I can associate to this movie is the one I felt after seeing Forrest Gump for the first time (actually, after every time I see Gump.) Harris is strangely father-like in his role. He genuinely seems to love Truman as a son, yet he has to punish him to get the ratings. Some of the most powerful scenes are those where Christof has to work against Truman. Harris comes across genuine and very human.
Carrey is beautiful in his role. It almost seems as if it were meant for him and only him. You quickly forget his slapstick roles in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and "Dumb and Dumber." He reminded me of Tom Hanks to a certain extent - they both have the same sincerity around them. Carrey lays off the slapstick in the film almost entirely, and if you don't expect it, you will miss it. (A gratification to some people.) Carrey also tugs at the viewer's heartstrings. Remember Robin Williams in "Dead Poet's Society"? Carrey has the same effect on the viewer.
Overall this film was the most excellent one I have seen this year. As said earlier, it brings memories of "Forrest Gump" - the story of a simple man trying to get the most out of life.
My rating out of 10: 10.
-Matt "The Kid" DeMizio
http://www.hsbr.org
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