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Truman Show - Sce [1998]


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Great, thought provoking movie!
Review date: 2007-11-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

A really interesting movie which follows the life of a man named Truman Burbank, played by Jim Carey. Born into a reality television show, he grows up unknowing that every single person in the little town he lives in is an actor. Every single movement and conversation has been scripted, and every thing surrounding his life is filmed and broadcast as part of a show in the "real world".

It follows the standard Hero archetype - which is covered in depth by the American mythology professor, writer and orator, Joseph Campbell - of a human being born into a life of illusion and ignorance who comes to suspect that there is something wrong about his world. He develops a burning curiosity and insight and begins to see through the deception and removes the wool that has been pulled over his eyes for so long. It's a heartwarming film, with a balanced mixture of comedy, romance and a tragic awakening towards the end.

Not only does it deal with the potential horrors that may lie in an industry bent on transmitting - for entertainment - so called "reality television", but is actually a stunning metaphor and portrayal of the drama that lies in wait for every human being.

Should be watched hand in hand with the Matrix. Very thought provoking indeed!


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Reviews


Wow! This is a must see movie
Review date: 2007-11-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a very powerful movie. I have never been a big fan of Jim Carrey, but in this movie he is great and plays the character with much sensitivity apart from humor. Apparently the movie was never a big success in the US, which could be because the subject is too close for comfort.

It brings to mind the story by Gurdjieff of the evil magician, as the movie shows how Truman is really not in control of anything, as it is all orchestrated from above. Just like we like to think we are at the top of the food chain and in control of our lives, so too does Truman believe that he makes real choices and that he is free. Little does he know that he is lives in a "cage". To keep Truman from discovering the Truth, the "media" is employed to constantly shape his opinions and to suppress any questioning of the reality in which he lives. This has scary parallels to todays world, where the mainstream media and manufactured opinion polls acts like the ancient Greek chorus in shaping public opinion the way the controllers wish it to be.

So definitely a top movie, that won't disappoint. It is a wake-up call to question one's own reality and to whether one is just a machine playing out a script written by someone else.


Modern Classic
Review date: 2007-08-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

Do not pay any attention to the review here by "Eddie" its all lies, Carrey is brilliant in this film, weather a fan of Carrey or not, i should think most people would remember him from his roles in films such as Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura and me myself and irene.... but here he escapes that stigma in a totally different role, of course he brings a little comedy to the character but this only makes the character more lovable and parts of the film will have you shouting at the screen rooting for his character.
I think Carrey is perfect for this role and gave him the chance to play a little more serious and deeper character, he is a brilliant actor and is just trying to escape being labeled as a one trick pony, and here he has succeeded with style.
As far as the actual film goes, its amazing, really fresh and original and defiantly a must see.

A Modern Classic!!!!
Review date: 2007-06-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

'The Truman Show' is a very entertaining and superbly made Motion Picture. This film has an energy all its own and momentum that never lets up.

It has many moments of absolute brilliance and pure comedy.

Peter Weir, a very talented Director, never lets his film slip into sentimentality, as possibly an American Director like Spielberg would have and in doing so keeps this picture well grounded in genuine emotion.

Jim Carrey's performance is probably his finest so far. His performance is so engaging, convincing and very moving.

Of course certain liberties are taken with continuity and logic to further the story, so what, it works! The final scene with the security guards is probably the best ending to any modern Motion Picture I can remember.

A last word about the wonderful use of music in this film. The use of Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 by Arthur Rubinstein is a masterstroke! The use of the "Powaqqatsi" Soundtrack by Philip Glass to relay Truman's confusion also works brilliantly.

This film is a modern classic.

Carrey on Clowning
Review date: 2007-01-30 Rating: 6 out of 10

It's interesting to note that this film was released prior to the huge upsurge in reality TV and it takes this notion to its ultimate limit. A highly unlikely scenario perhaps, (but don't forget that much science fiction has now become science fact), and one which gives a disturbing perspective to the seemingly endless fascination with other (boring), people's lives and the creation of celebrity from them. That is another discussion of course, but one which you may find yourself entering into having watched this film.

However.

The critics loved it. Your reviewers love it. I'll be honest: I almost abandoned this one after an hour, but I stuck with it as I've always rated Peter Weir whose films are diverse and always at the least, interesting. Sorry to spoil the party but here a great premise is destroyed by that annoying buffoon, Jim Carrey. Why, oh why him? Carrey fans will tell you that even if you don't like the man he's good in this. Don't believe them, you probably still won't like him after watching it. Carrey can't act and resorts to idiocy when any emotional depth is required; you just get the feeling that he can't help but be Jim Carrey. While his performance is comparitively restrained, Peter Weir has failed to rein him in. This role required an actor of a much higher calibre.

The concept is both fascinating and frightening and the film tries to work on many levels, opening a whole series of questions about our own lives and the huge part which the media plays within them as well as God, destiny and the medium of film itself. Unfortunately, much of the potential which this concept raises is not explored in any great depth and the result is a rather flat piece which, with the badly miscast Carrey, robs the film of the extra dimension which it desparately needs.

The reveal is nicely paced and unfolds gradually and the look of the film is as clean and crisp as Truman's life.

There are flaws of course and the biggest is certainly the script, although did wonder why it took some 30 years for Truman to start to realize that all is not perhaps as it seems (surely you'd know?). I found this a little difficult to swallow, as I did with the idea that 5000 cameras could record someone's every move but disbelief is easily suspended on these points. In summary then, the issues which the content raises are greater than the content itself.

If you are a Carrey or a Weir fan you may well have seen this film. If not, I wouldn't want to put you off: it's certainly worth a look. You may well be inclined to watch it again, if only to attempt to put your head straight. I may just do that myself.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Noah Emmerich
Natascha McElhone
Jim Carrey
Ed Harris
Laura Linney

Creators:
Jim Carrey (Primary Contributor)
Ed Harris (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437873538
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Collector's Edition, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-04-03
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998
Language: English (Original Language)

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