An appealing, offbeat, one-hundred minute diversion for those who really are tired of monsters tearing down buildings and action heroes saving the world.
The Truman Show (1998)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:96
Fresh:91
Rotten:5
Average Rating:8.2/10
Consensus: A funny, tender, and thought-provoking film, The Truman Show is all the more noteworthy for its remarkably prescient vision of runaway celebrity culture and a nation with an insatiable thirst for the private details of ordinary lives.
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Comic actor Jim Carrey plays it (mostly) straight for this smart satire from director Peter Weir (DEAD POETS SOCIETY). The life of Truman Burbank (Carrey) has been broadcast around the world with... Comic actor Jim Carrey plays it (mostly) straight for this smart satire from director Peter Weir (DEAD POETS SOCIETY). The life of Truman Burbank (Carrey) has been broadcast around the world with tremendous success since the day he was born. A star for the mere fact that he exists, Truman has no idea that there are cameras in every corner of his world. But soon, cracks begin to show in the constructed world, and Truman questions his existence while everyone around him is in on the joke. Weir directs a fine cast, including Laura Linney as Truman's wife and Ed Harris as the show's director. Screenwriter Andrew Niccol also added interesting twists to the scripts for S1M0NE and GATTACA. [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor
Director: Peter Weir
Director: Peter Weir
Screenwriter: Andrew Niccol
Producer: Scott Rudin, Andrew Niccol, Edward S. Feldman, Adam Schroeder
Composer: Wojciech Kilar
Reviews for The Truman Show
The latter part of the film, depicting Truman's rebellion and providing him with a perfect final line, is much more conventionally conceived than its splendid start.
A thoughtful, and thought-provoking, satire that deftly combines comedy with drama, science-fiction and paranoid-conspiracy.
Its theme -- to what degree will we eventually allow television to outpower us? -- is clear, poignant, and relevant.
Extremely original, well-written piece that ultimately left me emotionally detached, and feeling bored at certain times.
Not even the more risk-taking alternative cinema, the Independent Film, has been so ruthless in its umbrella indictment of movies, television, music, advertising, commercials and infomercials.
One of the most pleasantly original and darkly audacious stories in years.
One of those high-concept movies whose concept is both clever and dumb.
Weir and Niccol have come up with a bracingly original cinematic experience.
Fans expecting Carrey's usual shtick will be disappointed here...but few else will be, for this intelligent and invigorating film is a fascinating look at the struggle between individual spirit and the media culture.
As plot it's a little thin, especially when you already know the premise ... The performances are uniformly pitch-perfect.
It's unusually provocative and challenging for a Hollywood movie and, surprisingly, allows the audience to piece things together without too much external direction.
Weir looks at the media and what it is doing to both the viewer and the person under media scrutiny. The film also takes a playful look at the relationship between humanity and God.
Perhaps it's not fair to criticize a movie for what it isn't, but it seems like there were some missed opportunities here.
A stunningly original, deeply disturbing, surrealistic nightmare of a film the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. [SPOILER!]
This is one of the sharpest, bitingest satires I've seen, on a par with classic Preston Sturges.
A subtly layered, perceptive, and pointedly truthful commentary on the media and its and our own voyeuristic tendencies.
If Truman becomes a classic it'll be as a witty film of ideas that's graced with a mesmerizing visual dimension.
Latest News for The Truman Show
September 13, 2006:
Jim Carrey With Joel Schumacher? "The Number 23" Reviewed
Numerologists and Jim Carrey fans will be thrilled to hear that "The Number 23," set for release in February 2007, will be another dark, tunnel-like experience the... More...
December 02, 2005:
Depp, Weir & Roth to Visit "Shantaram"
Variety brings news of a cinematic pairing that should thrill most of the hardcore movie geeks out there. How about Peter Weir directing Johnny Depp? Yup, thought that'd get... More...
July 29, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Lord of War
Yahoo! Movies brings us the all-new trailer for Lions Gate's seemingly twisted comedy-action flick "Lord of War," which stars Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke,... More...
May 17, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: "A History of Violence"
Thanks to the official Cannes Film Festival website for posting the all-new trailer for David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence." The New Line Cinema release, which... More...
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