Top 100 Films. 89. The Truman Show. (1998)

The Truman Show has become much more relevant within today’s society then when it was made in 1998.  The film had the foresight to predict the public’s fascination with reality TV in this well acted, well produced comedy drama.

The film is about Truman Burbank played by Jim Carrey who lives in a town with his perfect wife and perfect kids with perfect friends and neighbours. Unbeknownst to Truman, his family and friends are actors and he is living within a dome that is full of hidden cameras of which films a television show that is broadcast globally. Truman is the leading role but to him he is just living a normal life. The films beings when Truman starts to notice strange things happening within his town. He starts to questions all the strange coincidences and chronicles his journey to discovery of who he actually is.

    The Truman Show is a perfect example of how a comedy can instill an emotional and critical stance. As a previous film student you can see the connections between this film and Orwell’s 1984 and with future events such as the rise in reality television. The Truman Show evaluates a person’s worth within a world. Truman at first thought he was a just a normal guy within a town but turns out to be one of the most famous celebrities in the world for doing nothing. (It sounds familiar doesn’t it) Jim Carrey’s performance is central to the enjoyment of this film. His role provides charm to Truman but instills the ability to be to lose your mind, Carrey holds this with a knife edge and it is fantastic of how much Carrey provides that perfect transition of everyday man to the celebrity, Truman Burbank.

    The soundtrack is also fantastic, it holds a gentle and emotional kick to the pivotal scenes within the film. The Truman Show also holds one of the greatest endings in cinema. I will no go into it due to spoilers and I think the less you know the better but it is a hugely satisfying ending for some. It is a film that stands the test of time and will be used in film classes for years to come when talking about simulated reality and contemporary reality TV. This film is a masterpiece because it is funny and emotional but also holds a critical weight that is void of many comedic dramas. It is beautifully shot, beautifully acted and beautifully scored.

The Truman Show is a nice gentle comedic drama that when you start to dissect the layers, it becomes a true contextual masterpiece. This is a stand out performance by Carrey and Ed Harris, the creator of the Truman Show within the film. If this is on your ‘to watch list’ I employ you to watch it when you get home from work or find a spare Monday movie night and watch this with people. I went into this film not expecting much, I though it was just another comedy but I couldn’t be more wrong and I am pretty okay with being wrong in times like these.

Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Goodnight.