Movies-TV

What the media will do for entertainment and ratings?

What will the media do for entertainment and ratings? Very thought provoking yet simple plot which raises the question of human rights in an era of mass money generating soap operas.

Wow! This is a must see movie

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 humour. Apparently the movie was never a big succes 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.

Life is an Illusion

This movie is a parable for our lives - we too are living illusions to avoid the reality of the human condition. Only by casting aside that illusion and confronting reality, as Truman does in the final scene, can we escape from our fears and embrace life - and that is why it was so splendid to see the fans of the show so happy at the end when Truman escaped - they really got what the show was about, and that Cristof's illusion now too was shattered.

An Original Classic

The Truman Show, is a wonderfully created movie that tells a great story with a great moral. It truly is a wonderful concept for a movie and the cast is excellent. I think this movie really changed Jim's career for the better, so he will now take more difficult roles and he proved that he can handle them. I found this movie to be very entertaining and exceptional. I can easily say this has got to be one of the most original movies I have ever seen.-Thanks-

MIGHTY IMPACT - not as a comedy, but a sort of a horror scenario!

So, I had my first experience with The Truman Show, 10 years after it was made, and man, the impact! Someone's going to say I took it too seriously, but I guess that's the way it is then.The reason that I didn't go see this movie before is that it had Jim Carrey written all over it. I have grown to dislike Jim Carrey for the very reason for which he is the star he is - pulling faces! I believe I'm not the only one who has been wondering whether it's all that he's good for. It works for The Mask and Ace Ventura... but a lot of others? I don't know.Having that said, I spent a few moments trying to think who else could have pulled this one off. Carrey kind of reminds me of Jack Nicholson. Every other actor sort of pale next to Nicholson and Carrey... They do the conventional acting thing while these two do their own thing. So props for that.I believe this movie was labeled a comedy just because of Jim Carrey and that he's supposed to be a comedian. However, this movie didn't strike me as a comedy. Instead, I was scared, disturbed.Everybody laments over how money makes the world turn around. Underneath, this movie offers a point of view on that: How far can that actually be taken? Surely, The Truman Show is an exaggeration on the subject... it also simultaneously exaggerates the fact that people don't care as long as they get their fix. Moreover, the fact that people don't care! There's even a part in the movie where it's freely discussed in the media, like it was okay to make a lab rat out of Truman Burbank. McElhone's character Sylvia/Lauren voices criticism and points out how cruel it is. (In my opinion, it's critical for the success of this movie. Props again.) And in the very end Christoph, the director, is brought on almost as if he was a God... and there's no denying that he's playing a God!Alright, I've said a lot, but if you guys are thinking I'm slamming this movie, you've mistaken. Read on.I feel that this movie has very little comedy value. Surely, some aspects of it are brought across by means of comedy, but that still doesn't make it one. However, I feel that's not important, though. I feel that it gives you something to think about, if you scratch a bit deeper than the surface.And therein lies the greatness of the movie, worth of the 10 stars I gave it.

Astounding film!

I have never been a huge fan of Jim Carrey movies, so when The Truman Show came out, I quickly wrote it off as not one I was going to rush out to see. I shouldn't have. Fortunately, I got the chance to see it at a friend's house, and I can honestly say that it left me speechless and amazed at the brilliance of the film. First of all, Jim Carrey excells in this role. I find him to be a very funny man in real life, but his wacky roles in previous movies (Ace Ventura, Dumb & Dumber...you know them) don't appeal to me at all. BUT, in this role, he shows that he is way more than a go-to weirdo or funnyman. The emotion and the vulnerability he brings to the naive Truman Burbank only improves as the movie goes on. Watching this man crack as the only world he knows begins to slowly betray him and the intensity of his attempts to discover what else is beyond his hidden cage is moving in a way that few movies can convey successfully.

This movie is more than just about watching Truman Burbank find out the truth of his televised life, but it is a stunning portrayal of humanity. Truman's world was created by Christof (the always wonderful Ed Harris) to be what is considered "perfection." Christof is like God in the Seahaven world. He makes every choice for the world, including the weather and even Truman's fears...but Christof cannot change the one thing that noone can manipulate--Truman's thoughts. Truman is given the perfect wife, a brotherly bestfriend, a steady job, and a life in a world that exists without pain, sadness, or evil. But the world is a cage. The movie shows that stability is not perfection, ignorance is not bliss, and a life without ALL emotions--including sadness, fear, and pain--could never exist. Even without knowing that he is trapped, Truman feels the need to escape his "perfect" life and to see what else there is beyond the utopia that is Seahaven Island. It is a perfect display of our quest for the unknown, unsatisfaction with just mundane existence, and our interest in what normality really is.

When you watch this movie, you will become just like the viewers in the movie who are watching Truman. You will root for him, cry for him, and laugh with (or at) him. His is truly a reality show that I hope that never is created for real...but we ARE humans, so who knows how we'll try to play God next...

P.S. The score to the movie is absolutely gorgeous.

Depth with true emotion

The story for "The Truman Show" is simply sublime and original, satirising the modern need for culture to revolve around reality tv shows. Through out the movie, there is deep symbolism and irony, but the true factor that makes the story so enjoyable is the fact that Truman really is as it says, a True Man - such an honest story with honest characters (even in deceit).

An highly original entertaining drama with elements of Comedy and Science Fiction.

Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), who lives in a seemingly normal Seaside town but what Truman doesn't realize that his life is a non-stop TV show. Which the Seaside town is actually a giant studio, which is created by a visionary producer/director (Ed Harris). Which Truman is only genuinely person in the show. Since his fictional wife (Laura Linney), his fake mother (Holland Taylor) and his false best friend (Noah Emmerich) are nothing more than Hollywood Actors. Truman is slowly realizing nothing what it seems to be in his life and there's more to discover outside this largely fictional Seaside town.Directed by Peter Weir (Gallipoli, Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World, Witness) made an superb fantasy drama with touches of humour. Carrey is excellent in his change of pace role. The cast are also good, which includes:Natascha McElhone, Paul Giamatti, Harry Shearer and Philip Baker Hall in small roles. This was one of the biggest hits of 1998. The latest DVD edition. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an good-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also included a two part featurette with the Cast & Crew, Special Effects featurette, Deleted/Extended Scenes and more. Harris received an Oscar Nomination for his supporting role, since Dennis Hopper was originally cast in the Part. Director Weir was also nominated for Best Director. The film is quite touching and very entertaining. Don't miss one of the most original movies of 1998. Oscar-nominated screenplay by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, S1mone). (****½/*****).

The Triumph of Free Will

There is something very emotionally affecting when you watch someone slowly start to realize that they are caged. How Truman was totally controlled by a corporation. What they insisted to call real, yet controlled. It was controlled in that this young boy's (Truman) father was taken away from him, he was deprived the joys of growing up with a father, not because it was his father's time to go, but because a board of advisers thought it would be good drama, and would help to keep him where he was. In their prison. It doesn't matter that Seahaven Island might in fact be the greatest place on Earth, and that the real world is "this sick place". Truman should still be afforded the luxury of choice that we all have. And when you consider that he didn't even get to choose the girl that he married, it makes you feel that much more for him. And I think there is SOME truth to the statement that "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented." At least, Christof wasn't so blind that he actually realized, "He could leave anytime, if this was more than just a vague ambition, if he really truly wanted to leave, there's no way we could stop him." He was right. The line that I believe defines this movie, "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented." My personal favorite, "I like your pin (How's it going to end?), I was wondering that myself."

Even More Relevant Today

With the explosion of reality T.V., no film could be more relevant than this masterpiece. An allegorical film about exploitation and how far it can actually go, "The Truman Show" is a perfect answer to what dominates the airwaves nowadays. Plus, the acting is splendid, the script is beyond great, and the ending is a real tearjerker. One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, and I've seen way too many movies for my own good. (jk)

Great idea for a film

When this came out, it was unique. I'd never seen anything like it. It was basically a film and filming a TV show. It sounded weird and almost Sci-fiish, but it was none of those things. It was actually a really good movie. Jim Carrey is perfect in this. It gives him the chance to really shine as an actor, combining the comedic and the dramatic to get an extrememly likable character. Its his best role, in my opinion. And, honestly, he is the reason to see this film because I don't think it would be as interesting with another actor. I really liked the soundtrack to this film as well, it was very moving at times. The rest of the cast also did a fantastic job. The utopian scenery blends in perfectly into this film and makes it all the more interesting. Its a great and differnt type of film that should be seen by all. It never strays too much in the goofiness arena, and is always endearing and believable.

Can never get tired...

I can never get tired of watching this movie. Thank you for such fast delivery.

Stunning, compelling and (honestly) scarily possible film about Predestination

The Truman Show is a work of Genius. Peter Weir deserved every accolade you can throw at him, and should win best Director for this film. (He won't, though. Stever Spielberg will grab it for the much over-hyped 'Saving Private Ryan')Technical stuff: Jim Carrey is a perfect Truman Burbank. Others could have played him just as well, but Jim Carrey was spectacular, and should not be penalised for not conforming to the roles the public wants him in.Ed Harris is unbelievable as Christof and deserves an Oscar Nomination.The story is scarily possible. All that's needed is that the government legalise a corporation adopting a child. From there, very, very few laws would be broken. The only possible one I can see is Illegal Arrest. We can assume they managed to beat that one once early on, and from then on simply refered to the precedent. Otherwise, all the technology exists. And if the ratings are as good as the film claims, it'd probably be profitable.Now the meaty stuff.This film, at its core, is not about human mentality, or about the morality of captive lives. It is about Predestination. Truman is the Job or Peter figure of the story, a 'true man' among a sea of false men. Christof, (whose name clearly derives from Christ) is a powerful God figure, deliberately written as on a God kick. And why not? This is his world, with his perfect script in action. To him, when Truman's old 'father' tries to come back into the show, it's not just a rebellion. It's sin.The question, ultimately asked, is this: "If you know the way your life will progress, and can't change it, but it is a happy path, will you accept it, or attempt to take the reins of your life back into your hands?"Truman Burbank is told, ever so subtly, 'Shut up, and we'll get you the best life you could ever have.' When his mariage breaks down, a new wife is conveniently found, because he's behaving to plan. When he misbehaves, he's quietly shown back to his house.And yet he keeps persisting, now certain that something lies beyond his life, and that somehow, that something else is better. The final confrontation, deliberately cast with biblical overtones, emphasises this point. And when Truman passes even this test, with his life in the balance, Christof talks to Truman with infitite pride and love. This is his son.And, as we learn, a prodigal son.

A Great Movie!!

I was kind of skeptical at first when I heard that Jim Carrey, the king of box office silliness, wanted to do a cross-over drama a la Robin Williams. Then I went to see the movie in the theater and I was mesmerized! Jim Carrey did a wonderful job as the naive and lovable Truman Burbank who slowly begins to realize that everything and everyone around him is a lie. His whole life is brodcast 24 hours a day to the whole world and everyone knows it except Truman. Ed Harris is also great as the creator of "The Truman Show" who gets a little carried away with his creation. Carrey proves that he is an actor as well as movie star. Don't miss it!

The Boy In The Bubble

Having been bandied about the release schedules for the best part of a year, Carrey's first semi-dramatic film finally got a UK release last October. He plays Truman Burbank, a vaguely unhappy insurance salesman in the perfect little seaside town of Seahaven. Following some strange occurrences, Truman starts to think that he is being watched. Little does he know that his entire life is secretly filmed, his town is a gigantic sound-stage, everyone he has ever known was an actor and that his every waking and sleeping second is broadcast around the world as a top-rated docu-soap.Critics have been lavishing enormous praise on this movie since it opened in America last June, and probably rightly so because it is a superbly crafted piece of work. Weir's direction is outstanding, frequently viewing events from the point of view of hidden spy cameras, such as the one in Truman's car radio. One stunning shot has the town's main street full of motionless extras, waiting for Truman to turn the corner. Jim Carrey's performance has been singled out for particular praise, and though his acting is of a much higher standard that his usual comedy antics, it is not exactly Laurence Olivier. This said, an Oscar nomination would have been well deserved.The setting of a chirpy small town from which escape is impossible echoes cult 60's series The Prisoner, but the balance of reality and poetry is much more restrained here than it was then. The opening credits are especially clever, using those of the actual `show' (e.g. Truman Burbank as Himself). There are, however, a few problems. The film is simply too short to adequately explore Truman's situation, and the character of Meryl, his `wife', disappears about half-an-hour from the end. This kind of slightly sloppy scripting was not something I expected from writer Andrew Niccol, whose previous film Gattaca, which he also directed, was such an immediate classic. Gripes aside, this is an extraordinary and highly original film that really is worth seeing several times to fully understand the director's message. It doesn't even matter if you never liked Jim Carrey before. You will now.

Interwoven Simplicity

This is your only spoiler warning...Pros: Interesting structure: the creator figure places his personal world inside the one he has created. Weir waits until the end to get heavy-handed, saving us the boredom. Weir de-emphasizes the mystical/mythical/magical in favor of the old "man vs. system" cliche.
Character exists in a world of cameras. Interesting parallel between literal and unreal cameras.Cons: Obvious Vangelis wannabe music. Real person lives in false environment except everyone around him is in on the gag (hence "real") while he is manufactured by the environment (hence "fake"). The film is about the person on camera, not the camera itself.Final Analysis = = Midrange Material

What are you looking at me for?

After "Cable Guy" I never really thought I would see another such scarey comedy. Along come "The Truman Show" with the vastly underrated (why was he not nominated for and Oscar?) Jim Carrey again giving the kind of performance that is not only rare but barely exists in movies outside of Europe and certainly never seen in american film. Carrey's cartoon persona brilliantly matches Peter Weir's vision of a life permanently on line. The"Oh my God" factors leap at you as an unsuspecting audience and treat you as an intelligent beast instead of feeding the usual predicatable pap we have grown accustomed to. See this movie and then watch it again immediately afterwards.

love it

This movie is the best that I've seen in a long time - mostly because on each subsequent viewing I have discovered more about it. Unlike many reviewers, I even enjoyed the start - the music actually brought a lump to my throat in a way that no other movie has! My favourite element of the film? Probably the symbolism, and the names - Meryl (Streep), Marlon (Brando), Angela (Lansbury), Vivien (Leigh)...they were all wonderful! My favourite character was the 'god' Christof, and I must comment on the wonderful music, which never failed to set the scene.

This movie has its roots deep in ethical issues, and as I type this I'm not sure whether there are cameras in this room tracking my every movement - not a film to be taken lightly.

The film was a novel concept but unrealistic

Although a novel concept, the film was unrealistic. The character was conditioned by his environment but all healthy humans have curiosity. They are not programmed machines. Maybe in the future genetically modified people will be like Truman. In the context of the film he is made to look stupid and oblivious of his man-made surroundings. In reality he would have discovered the truth much earlier. The film however, raised more interesting points about the captive audience and how the distinction between fact and fiction, reality and make-believe can become blurred when people want to escape from their own existence. The giant leaps in technology that can be expected will make films like the Truman show seem like the silent movies of the 20s' to our grandchildren. I look forward to the exciting possibilities that the future will bring but, as in the film, we must always be brought back to reality.

the worst movie of the year

The most hyped yet totally worthless thing I have ever seen. Who are these people in the movie? Who are the people that made this movie? I laughed and than cried that we have come to accept totally stupid as meaningful. If you can't figure out what I'm talking about it's you I feel sorry for.It should have been titled Sophomore Show.