From Deseret News archives:
The Truman Show
Truman Show, The
Film review
Words you never hear used in conjunction with a Jim Carrey movie:
"Innovative"
"Touching"
"Subversive"
"Intelligent"
"Important"
But guess what? You'd better get used to hearing those words describe "The Truman Show," Carrey's newest film.
This one's a thoughtful, and thought-provoking, satire that deftly combines comedy with drama, science-fiction and paranoid-conspiracy.
Perhaps no other film since 1976's "Network" has had the potential to inspire such a debate about the effects of the media on our very societal structure.
This extremely well-directed and acted movie works on so many different levels it's astonishing. And just when you think you know where it's going next, it heads in another direction. So when the film begins as a shrewd indictment of our dependence on mass media, you shouldn't be surprised that it ends up meditating on the nature of existence.
Of course, "The Truman Show" still has to find an audience. Because of its challenging nature, the movie could still turn off Carrey's longtime fans, who are more used to seeing him in vulgar, brainless comedies like the "Ace Ventura" movies.
Also, much of the humor is so subtle that it may go over the heads of some audience members.
The plot defies easy description, but suffice to say it's about the subject of the world's first 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week television program though its main character, naive insurance salesman Truman Burbank (Carrey), doesn't know it's a show, or that all his "friends" and "family" are actors.
Truman gets his first inkling that something may be wrong when he's nearly hit by a stage light that appears to fall straight out of the sky. And though the "coincidence" is explained away, other strange occurences begin adding up, making him question what is real and unreal, and whom he should trust.
Throughout this bout of existential questioning, Truman also finds himself obsessing over a long-lost sweetheart (Natascha McElhone, from "Mrs. Dalloway"), who disappeared mysteriously. And he yearns to discover what lies beyond his hometown.
Meanwhile, the show's megalomaniacal creator, Christof (Ed Harris), has his hands full trying to keep Truman occupied long enough to stall his "escape" attempts.
To say more would spoil the surprises, though there are so many of them that it may require multiple viewings to take them all in.
Recent comments
This is an incredibly creative and unique movie! It
presents...
Dave | Aug. 1, 2006 at 4:13 p.m.
In a word, amazing!! I've always been a fan of movies like
this...
Jessica John | Dec. 9, 2002 at 4:40 p.m.
A whopper of a concept! Jim Carrey has proved The Truman
Show that...
Avi Green | July 17, 1999 at 2:39 p.m.
Find a Movie Theater
- Rescue under way for man in cave 9:01 a.m.
- Shuttle Atlantis headed home 8:30 a.m.
- Obama going to climate summit 8:23 a.m.
- Toyota to replace 4M gas pedals 8:05 a.m.
- Stocks mixed amid economic data 8:04 a.m.
- Gay marriage push stalls in N.Y., N.J. 7:48 a.m.
- Lou Dobbs weighs N.J. Senate run 7:31 a.m.
- Twitterati to BCS: 'We hate you.' 7:23 a.m.
- Grizz goalie receives weekly award 7:15 a.m.
- Weekly unemployment below 500K 7:10 a.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Best prep football games of 2009
- Donny and Kym dance to victory
- Mitchell lawyers lose motion to leave
- Police increase presence at Skyline
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
235 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
225 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
196 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
123 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
94 - Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
90
Thanks Jazz for the early "bird" felt more like a "Christmas Goose" 3 guys...
"At least he won't be a stupid Junior. Has anyone played worse in the rivalry...
according to Sagarin #13 BYU 4-0 #23 UNLV 3-0 #29 NM 5-0 #57 SDSU 3-1...
WELCOME HOME again Atlantis We just can't wait to hear the double sonic...
Who Cares?
Yeah. Utah definitely is confused on many levels. Calling themselves the...
Were they running an offense? Black hole Brown (5-17)almost had one assist,...
New Clearfield residents can receive an education online and spiritual...
Ethics legislation is fine, just not this piece. Read the 30 + page document...
We must act on this for the good of all the people, please take the time to...



