The Truman Show Movie Review 1998

Flawless execution of an eerie, yet fantastical premise, marked by outstanding performances, make this surreal fable a joy to watch from start to finish. Unbeknownst to insurance salesman Truman Burbank, (Carrey) his entire life has been broadcast live on TV in a 24-hour soap opera. When evidence of Truman's fabricated life begins to surface, he plans his escape, upsetting the grand scheme of producer, director and charismatic artist Christof (Harris in a stand-out performance). Carrey's sympathetic, low-key portrayal will make people forget the disappointment of "Cable Guy." Weir handles his satirical theme with craftmen-like precision, never letting his commentary on the power of the tube become too heavy-handed. Carrey reportedly took a pay cut from his $20 million fee in order to star.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 102 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Top Grossing Films of 1998, Comedy Drama, Look Ma! I'm on TV!, Marriage, Mass Media, Not-So-True Identity, Insurance, Bridges, Great Escapes

Screenplay

Andrew Niccol

Cast

Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha (Natasha) McElhone, Holland Taylor, Paul Giamatti, Philip Baker Hall, Brian Delate, Una Damon

Cinematography

Peter Biziou

Director

Peter Weir

Music

Philip Glass, Burkhard Dallwitz

Producer

Scott Rudin, Edward S. Feldman, Andrew Niccol, Paramount Pictures

Awards

British Acad. 1998: Director (Weir), Orig. Screenplay; Golden Globes 1999: Actor--Drama (Carrey), Support. Actor (Harris), Score; MTV Movie Awards 1999: Male Perf. (Carrey); Natl. Bd. of Review 1998: Support. Actor (Harris).