An affecting, sardonic satire as reality television is taken to the extreme. Huge audience numbers around the globe tune in 24/7 to the real time life of Truman Burbank, born in captivity and unaware of his TV status.
A pastel-hued environment for the kind-hearted insurance salesman Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) as he lives his day-to-day with wife Meryl (Laura Linney). Witnessing the death of his father in a storm out to sea as a child has left Truman with a morbid fear of water and leaving the island on which he lives. Only none of it is true as hundreds of hidden cameras record every moment, watched over by Christof (Ed Harris), the God-like producer. But after more than 30 years, occasional equipment malfunction with strange outcomes leaves Truman initially confused and then somewhat suspicious.
Genteel and gentle, The Truman Show is a clever and smart commentary on the fascination of reality television and voyeurism. Carey, held in check, is unusually controlled as director Peter Weir allows the narrative unfold seemingly, like the TV show we are part of, in real time.
Nominated for 3 Oscars in 1999 – best director, supporting actor, original script
Rating: 74%
Director: Peter Weir (The Way Back, Witness)
Writer: Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, The Terminal)
Main cast: Jim Carrey (The Mask, The Number 23), Laura Linney (Kinsey, Nocturnal Animals), Ed Harris (Pollock, The Lost Daughter)
An Opinion or Two 