The Truman Show (1998)

 

Genre: Comedy/ Sci-Fi

Time: 1h 43mins

Director: Peter Weir

Quick Summary: An insurance salesman discovers his whole life is actually a reality TV show.

One thing I will say straight away is this was WAY ahead of its time. One of the most creative movies ever made, The Truman Show is an absolute masterpiece that will stand the test of time.

Honestly, I was engrossed from start to finish. It blends so many genres in one flawlessly.  It's a comedy, a drama, a satire, and a philosophical exploration all rolled into one and I'm loving it. There is so much to this film like breaking free from societal expectations and the courage it takes to forge one's path away from people's expectations. 

The camera placements are so wild and clever when put into the context of we're watching someone's life with them having zero knowledge of it. Two-way mirrors, in vending machines, car dashboards, you name it. I honestly do love that it pokes fun at the media and those "Reality" TV shows. Constantly cramming in product placements where people of the town would stare off into space (into the camera) whilst promoting the item they're holding, or people would hurry to places that our main character would spontaneously go to. 

Being someone who doesn't really enjoy Jim Carey's over-the-top obnoxious style of humour, this was an absolute delight. Whilst he still does his rather silly antics, they're fun more than annoying. As well he manages to keep it mostly serious and it works wonders for this film as he produces such an enjoyable character and honestly, one of his best performances.

Admittedly I was incredibly sad with how short this is, even just twenty more minutes would have developed so many things as I felt like a lot of things were rushed or didn't get enough development. Also, I wish we weren't aware of the whole thing being a TV show for a while, at least to me I would have liked the suspense of not knowing until a big reveal or we find out as our main character finds out. Like when they had to hurry to cover up behind-the-scenes areas. 

I still love this film and recommend it to absolutely everyone, even if you don't like Jim Carey that much. 

8/10

"Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!"

" Somebody help me, I'm being spontaneous!"

"For God's sake, Chris! The whole world is watching. We can't let him die in front of a live audience!

 He was born in front of a live audience."