The Truman Show Movie Review

The Truman Show stars the talented Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, Ed Harris as Christof and Laura Linney as Meryl Burbank. The film centers on Truman Burbank who is the star of his own reality television show but the catch is that he doesn't know he is being filmed. Truman's life has been broadcast to millions of loyal viewers since the day he was born. Truman is also unaware that the place he calls home is actually a movie studio that is completely enclosed by a dome. Everyone that Truman encounters, including his wife Meryl, are actors in his world and perform their parts each and every day.

The movie begins with Truman in his late 30s wanting desperately to explore the world outside of his surroundings. Although his friends try desperately to convince him there is nothing out there Truman wants to explore. It doesn't take long before Truman begins to realize that there are motivations behind his friends and family not wanting him to leave. He also finds out that the city he lives in isn't as normal as he once thought. When he picks up a movie light that fell from the sky he begins to question everything, including the buildings in downtown not having interiors.
Truman eventually comes to the conclusion that his freedom is more important than his friends and families wishes for him to stay. Without giving away the end of the movie it ends brilliantly with a confrontation between Truman and Christof.

The Truman Show represents an early depiction of where reality television will most likely go. The film was directed by Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society) and written by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, The Terminal). The two did an amazing job telling a great story but also giving the viewers something to think about as they walked out of the theater.

The Truman Show received three Oscan nominations for Best Director (Peter Weir), Best actor in a supporting role (Ed Harris) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Andrew Niccol). Jim Carrey and Ed Harris also won Golden Globes for their performance in the film.