Monday Movie on the Mind: The Truman Show

The Truman Show
Directed by Peter Weir
Released June 5, 1998

Here we have one of my favorite films of all time, the stunning 1998 drama that might be misunderstood by some as a comedy for children. It showcases the first breakout dramatic performance by Jim Carrey – something he’s followed up on in “Man on the Moon” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” – and also the second Oscar-nominated performance by the incomparable Ed Harris. The story of a man whose entire life was, unbeknownst to him, recorded on camera and broadcast to millions of people. There’s so much hidden depth in this film, and it’s intriguing to see the slapstick, over-the-top nature of what is shown a part of the TV-show-within-a-movie that is Truman’s daily life. The incorporation of product placement is especially clever, and there’s just so much to be found in this movie. The music is a brilliant combination of classic Mozart and original Philip Glass – something I’ll come back to this Thursday. It’s hard to find another film quite as imaginative and incredible as this, and any imitators will likely not succeed. If for some reason, you’ve never seen it, see it now. The trailer below is considerably hokier than the movie itself ends up being, but there’s a simple spirit to Truman’s character and life that’s definitely captured in it. The ending, embedded below that, is one of my absolute favorites, and it gets me every time.

Trailer



Ending