Truman Show

( 25 )

Overview

Peter Weir directed this comedy-drama, a commentary on all-pervasive media manipulation. Scripted by Andrew M. Niccol Gattaca, the film plays like a combination of the British TV series The Prisoner and Paul Bartel's The Secret Cinema. Truman Burbank Jim Carrey is unaware that his entire life is a hugely popular 24-hour-a-day TV series. In this real-time documentary, every moment of Truman's existence is captured by concealed cameras and telecast to a giant global audience. His friends and family are actors who ...
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Overview

Peter Weir directed this comedy-drama, a commentary on all-pervasive media manipulation. Scripted by Andrew M. Niccol Gattaca, the film plays like a combination of the British TV series The Prisoner and Paul Bartel's The Secret Cinema. Truman Burbank Jim Carrey is unaware that his entire life is a hugely popular 24-hour-a-day TV series. In this real-time documentary, every moment of Truman's existence is captured by concealed cameras and telecast to a giant global audience. His friends and family are actors who smile pleasantly at Truman's familiar catchphrase greeting, "In case I don't see you later, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!" Employed at an insurance company, Truman is married to merry Meryl Laura Linney, and they live in the cheerful community of Seahaven, an island "paradise" where the weather is always mild and no unpleasantness intrudes. This is the basic situation of the series, which has grown over the years into a billion-dollar franchise for the TV network. As an unwanted pregnancy, Truman was adopted by the network and raised in the zoolike environment of a TV soundstage. Thus, the TV audience became hooked when Truman was very young. Now, at age 30, he still doesn't know he's a prisoner on an immense domed city-size soundstage, simulating Seahaven. Both the illusion and the ratings will collapse if Truman ever leaves Seahaven. In addition to elaborate events staged to make sure he stays put, Truman is given constant reminders of how wonderful Seahaven is compared to dangers in other parts of the world. However, his growing suspicions make him curious enough to try to leave, and the show's director and master manipulator Christof Ed Harris must constantly devise ways to thwart Truman's escape attempts. To enter the harbor, Truman must overcome his fear of water, intentionally instilled in him when his father "died" in a boating accident and was written out of the script. Exteriors were filmed in the Victorian-styled upscale community of Seaside, Florida. In addition to the Burkhard Dallwitz score, original music by Philip Glass and classical excerpts are also featured.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
Recalling such satires of TV mania as Network (1976) and Real Life (1979), Peter Weir's The Truman Show (1998) takes aim at the consumers and creators of the ultimate TV celebrity-victim. Shooting from a number of "hidden camera" angles as Truman Burbank goes about his day, Weir blends the eponymous TV show with the film, complete with a "making of" documentary. With the perfection of the Seahaven "set" evincing a Twilight Zone creepiness, Truman's life is both banal family drama and sitcom, yet the slack-jawed viewers never turn it off; TV mastermind Christof is the deity the audience deserves. As Christof struggles to maintain control once Truman figures out the truth, the limits of Truman's life visualize his existential dilemma as a media-made entity -- and a metaphor for our own imprisonment in a culture defined by media and consumerism. The movie's brutal final image directs its criticisms as much at a passive, sensation-seeking audience as at those who provide the sensations; this cold climax deprives the movie of its potentially happy ending, turning its commentary back on the audience as might a Stanley Kubrick film. Originally written by Andrew Niccol in 1993, the film's critique was rendered all the more timely by such 1990s voyeuristic excesses as afternoon talk shows and MTV's The Real World; Jim Carrey's atypically low-key presence as Truman was in itself a comment on media stardom. A substantial summer hit, The Truman Show received Oscar nominations for Director, Screenplay, and Ed Harris's Machiavellian Christof, while critical kudos affirmed Carrey's dramatic talent.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/29/1999
  • UPC: 097363311201
  • Original Release: 1998

    • Rating:

  • Source: PARAMOUNT
  • Presentation: Spanish / Subtitled
  • Language: Español
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Jim Carrey Truman Burbank
Laura Linney Meryl
Ed Harris Christof
Noah Emmerich Marlon
Natascha McElhone Lauren/Sylvia
Holland Taylor Truman's Mother
Brian Delate Truman's Father
Una Damon Chloe
Paul Giamatti Control Room Director
Philip Baker Hall Network Executive
Peter Krause Lawrence
John Pleshette Network Executive
Heidi Schanz Vivien
Blair Slater Young Truman
Technical Credits
Peter Weir Director
William M. Anderson Editor
Peter Biziou Cinematographer
Cinesite Special Effects
Alan B. Curtiss Asst. Director
Burkhard Dallwitz Score Composer
Ed Feldman Producer
Howard Feuer Casting
Dennis Gassner Production Designer
Philip Glass Score Composer
Nancy Haigh Set Decoration/Design
Richard L. Johnson Art Director
Marilyn Matthews Costumes/Costume Designer
Michael J. McAlister Special Effects Supervisor
Thomas Minton Set Decoration/Design
Andrew Niccol Producer, Screenwriter
Odin R. Oldenburg Set Decoration/Design
Lynne Pleshette Executive Producer
Art Rochester Sound/Sound Designer
Richard Luke Rothschild Co-producer
Scott Rudin Producer
Adam Schroeder Producer
Lee Smith Editor
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 25 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(15)

4 Star

(6)

3 Star

(4)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 25 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    My life depicts the life of character in this film

    this excellent film which I saw yesterday, depicts life of mine for past 2 years. This has been my life like Mr Trueman, people listing to my thoughts 24 hours 365 days a year. The file is excellent in respect the way normal day to day life is projected. I also face the same street-theatre that Mr Trueman faces. Excellent film, recommended to everyone who wants to survive the modern world. Its very close to the novel 1984 by George Orwell.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A different kind of reality TV

    An interesting twist on reality television. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good, fairly clean drama.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A look at todays society perhaps?

    With the focus on reality tv today Truman seems to have been ahead of its time. Before Survivor, Big Brther and all the others, Truman was there. Jim Carrey gives one of his best performances and the other actors rise to the occasion. A great movie, emotional and funny at the same time. This is one of my favorites and I find myself watching it probably 1-2x a year and when it's on tv ugh I'm watching it again.
    LIke Van Wilder I can't figure out why it shows up in full screen but not a major deal. Decent bang for my buck I got 10- back on it plus Barnes deal at the time. 30- not worth it. 20- or less worthy of the pickup I believe.
    A good movie to watch when you can't find something else to lose yourself in. Might be a good date movie definitely a good topic peiece with some thought provoking ideas.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Wonderful film.

    Great storyline, fantastic acting. Very soon into the story you will fall in love. No, Truman isn't Jim Carrey's funniest role--but I do think it's one of his best, and the film itself is very entertaining. Please watch it!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    PLEASE WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!!

    This is probably one of the most well done and powerful movies I have ever seen. The plot line is very good, and the situation in this movie is very controversial in a way, so you can really see multiple viewpoints from each character. Please watch it!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Very Good!

    We rented this movie and I liked it alot. The Truman Show is definitely one of my favorite Jim Carrey movies and is not his typical wild and crazy off the wall type of comedy which by the way I love those type of movies but I also liked this more understated comedy which also has some nice touching dramatic moments as well which proves that Jim can do drama just as well as he can do comedy. I'm definitely planning on buying the DVD for my collection!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The Truman Show

    The first time I saw this movie, my mouth hung open it was so astounding. Jim Carey gives an impeccable performance.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Really Nice Movie

    This movie is pretty cool. It is nice to see that Jim Carrey is not acting like a loon. This is a good family movie.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Brillant Movie

    This movie is thoughtful serious, and funny all at once. Jim Carey plays a billant role in Truman. You have to see it at least once. It is now one of my favorite movies of all time.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Hermetic Masterpiece

    What does it mean to be a ''True Man''? Truman Burbank is the ultimate hero who perceives the subtle signs of his own captivity and has the courage and perseverance to attain self-liberation. Truman is not just a man. Truman is a god. He is the Christ. He is the Buddha. He is every one of us.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Truman Show

    The Truman Show is a fascinating movie that has become one of my personal favorites. The movie's plot is engrossing and thought-provoking, making one consider one's reality. Jim Carrey's role as Truman Burbank was tremendous. The fact that he didn't at least get nominated for an Oscar is outrageous. Don't listen to the reviwers who didn't like this movie. You have to see it for yourself.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 27, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 5, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 26, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 21, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 4, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 12, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 4, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 13, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 25 Customer Reviews