The Truman Show (1998)

Have you ever revisited a film that you originally disliked to find that it was actually pretty good? I had this experience last week when I re-watched “The Truman Show”, a movie that I was not a fan of when I saw it for the first time (about 5 years ago.) I’d gone in expecting a gag-a-minute laugh-fest, similar to “Bruce Almighty” and “Liar Liar” (both of which I really enjoy) but was left feeling disappointed by the slow drama and depressing atmosphere.

However, upon watching it again, I really liked “The Truman Show”, I gained a newfound appreciation for Jim Carrey’s earnest performance, the inventive satire of reality television and the creative premise at the film’s core. So although it won’t become one of my favourite movies of all time, I can safely say that I understand why people like “The Truman Show.”

The best aspect of this film is the fantastic central performance from Jim Carrey. Whilst I love some of Carrey’s work (mainly the two previously mentioned movies), he’s an actor that, if pushed to go up to eleven, can quickly become exhausting to watch (see “Ace Ventura”, “The Mask” and “Batman Forever.”) Thankfully “The Truman Show” gives Carrey a chance to stretch his more dramatic acting muscles, bringing an unexpected level of sincerity and vulnerability to the role that allows the audience to root for Truman every step of the way.

Another element of “The Truman Show” that was executed extremely well was the imaginative concept that drives the story forward. The idea of a protagonist being trapped in a fabricated reality is nothing new, but the twist that his entire existence has been used to create a reality TV show, and that everyone he’s ever met is an actor, is an incredibly compelling narrative hook. The filmmakers did a superb job of capturing the paranoia that Truman feels and crafting several humorous scenes that satirize consumer culture (the forced moments of product placement are particularly amusing.)

To summarise, whilst I don’t think “The Truman Show” is quite as amazing as most people do, I still enjoyed it for its use of smart ideas and biting satire. So although it might not be the most uplifting film to watch during these dark times, I would recommend seeking out “The Truman Show”, even if you have to watch it twice.