The Truman Show 1998
This is a very original movie but it is a little low on substance. Since it seems to be such a hot topic you will probably hear about all the important parts before you see it. I would advise you to know as little as possible about this movie before you go in or you could be disappointed. I wish I hadn’t even known the basic premise going in and it seemed like the director didn’t want you to know either since the movie doesn’t even start with real credits.
Like a science fiction movie, this is more about the concept and story than about the characters. Maybe that’s what makes it a little hollow. Jim Carrey does a good job of being a toned down everyman (rather than the spastic weirdo he usually plays), but I don’t think he’s in the league of a Tom Hanks who would have done this role 5 to 10 years ago.
This movie reminds me a little of Edward Scissorhands and, now that I think about it, it’s hard to believe that Tim Burton didn’t have some part in this. And like Tim Burton movies you leave thinking it was just short of being a masterpiece but there was something missing.
The movie is only 90 minutes long. I don’t know whether to think they shortchanged us and could have put in a lot more stuff about how the TV show developed and its problems or if I should credit the creators for resisting the temptation to milk the concept while continuing to ignore the character development.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a very fun and at times disturbing movie that can be enjoyed by just about anyone. It is a great concept and well executed. And it is probably going to turn out to be the best big movie of the summer.
8 of 10
Written: 06 Jun 1998