Movie Review: The Truman Show (1998)

Synopsis: From the time he was born, Truman Burbank has had every move he makes watched by a now world-wide television audience, living his entire life in Seahaven Island, a fictional town located inside the world's largest television studio. Only the world's biggest celebrity is the one person on the planet who doesn't realize the people around him are all actors. This all changes when a stage light falls from the sky, setting off a series of events that makes Truman question everything about his life.

Who's in it? The movie stars Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich and Holland Taylor.

Review: My daughter had theater rehearsal last night and, while killing time waiting to pick her up, I came across The Truman Show. It had been a while since I last watched this film in its entirety, so I did just that. And I wasn't disappointed by this choice.

I think the thing that really makes this movie work is the plot seems so farfetched, but the story is crafted in a way that does make the ability to pull off such an extremely elaborate lie believable. The film, through flashbacks and interviews with the show's creator, Christof (Harris), explains some of the complexities, ranging from being the first corporation to legally adopt a child (eliminating any real-world parents from the picture) to purposely traumatizing Truman (Carey) as a child so he wouldn't want to leave the island. And of course, since there were millions of people watching 24/7, tons of sponsor money as a result, etc., there were practically no financial limitations (which in turn was a bit ironic at times when the movie reveals some set shortcuts that almost gave things away).

This, in my opinion, is also one of Carrey's best performances. There are hints of the physical comedy he is known for, but it is toned down enough to make Truman a likeable, real, character who is getting his eyes opened for the first time. On the flip side of it, Christof is portrayed as being almost God-like, able to see Truman's every move and control Truman's destiny while also showing a softer side at times that made it seem like more of a father/son relationship.

I do think the movie does gloss over some of the logistical things a bit. For example, as I re-watched the film, I wondered if there were real doctors at that fake hospital, just in case there was an actual emergency. I also wondered if the various extras went home each night or if they just lived in Seahaven Island with Truman and if Truman receive a real education from real teachers/college professors or actors.

I also would have loved to see the movie delve a bit more into Truman's relationship with his "wife" Meryl (Linney), from her point of view. She was an actress being paid to play a part but that marriage, for all practical purposes (license or not), was real. They lived together, they had sex, they were talking about having a child. She was also essentially almost as much of a prisoner as Truman was (albeit by choice) because it wasn't as though she could just leave for a week without the possibility of Truman wanting to go with her. All this while knowing Truman was in love with another woman (Natascha McElhone) and she was Christof's choice, not her husband's.

Final Opinion: The movie takes the whole reality television concept to an extreme but does it in a way that makes it believable enough to be entertaining, especially with strong performances from the stars. It's worth taking the time to watch or re-watch.

My Grade: A

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Here are some reviews of other movies from 1998:

Movie Review: Exiled (1998)

Movie Review: Wild Things (1998)

Movie Review: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)