Review of The Truman Show (1998) by Noah Abraham G — 05 Feb 2013

In 2004, millions of people were dazzled by Jim Carrey's performance in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." They were so shocked to see that he could give a dramatic performance. "He really can act!" they cried. My question is, where were they when THIS movie came out?

Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) is a successful insurance salesman living in Seahaven, an idyllic island straight out of the 50s. He has a loving wife (Laura Linney), a supportive best friend (Noah Emmerich), as well as an overbearing mother (Holland Taylor). There's only one problem: None of it's real. Life in Seahaven is an illusion perpetuated by Christof (Ed Harris), who is televising Truman's life 24 hours a day, for the viewing pleasure of millions.

Truman suspects little, accidents with falling spotlights and odd weather problems aside. His world comes crashing down when his long-dead father (Brian Delate) returns on set, causing a crisis in Truman's life.

This movie is fantastic. Although rightly classified as a comedy-drama, this movie is first and foremost science fiction. But it's a different type of science fiction than Star Wars or Avatar. This is a science fiction film about ideas, and how these ideas affect the characters.

The characters in this movie are excellent. Much praise has been given to Carrey's performance, and rightfully so. His Truman is hilarious without being over the top. Yes he's goofy, but in a way that's believable. Carrey gives the best performance of his career, hitting all the right notes, and it's an outrage that he was snubbed by the Academy.

The rest of the cast is excellent, too. Laura Linney is good (as usual), Noah Emmerich brings depth to a role that might not have worked with a different actor. Ed Harris gives a powerful performance as Christof, and Natascha McElhone is wonderful as Sylvia, the one who got away.

The film deals with some powerful themes, and a variety of allegories can be read from this film. I personally see this a coming-of-age story, a movie about putting behind the shelter your parents have built for you and entering the realities of the real world. This is greatly exemplified by the character of Christof, who greatly cares about Truman, but perhaps not so much as he cares about his ratings.

The cinematography is beautiful. The set designs are great. The music is spectacular. Is it a perfect movie? Of course not.

The movie's a little too optimistic at times. It shamelessly tugs at your heart strings. But I can definitely see past that.

Andrew Niccol is great at writing characters, be they main characters or bit parts. Even when the characters are barely in the film, their personality comes across magnificently.

This film ranks among my all time favorites. Go watch it.