There are films out there that serve no purpose, they are meant to entertain and bring joy to your life, relieving you of the frustrations of everyday mundanity. However, then you have films such as The Truman Show. These are important cultural artifacts that showcase the power of cinema to not only entertain but also to provoke thought and inspire conversation. Released in 1998, The Truman Show stands as a timeless masterpiece. It still resonates with audiences today as a shining example of what cinema is capable of achieving.
How to Download The Truman Show
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Jim Carrey, check out also Dumb and Dumber (1994), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Bruce Almighty (2003), or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).
The Movie Review
The story follows the life of titular protagonist Truman Burbank, a man who discovers that his entire life has been a scripted reality show. All of his work, his relationships, his memories, his dreams, and essentially his whole life have been a façade. So, he sets out to break free from the artificial world that has been constructed around him. This isn’t going to be an easy task for our newly enlightened protagonist though, as the formidable production team is ready to ensure the survival of their most popular prime-time television hit.
The Story
This might sound cliché, but at its core, The Truman Show is a story about the human condition more so than any other film in recent memory. It speaks to our search for truth and meaning in a world that is increasingly mediated by technology and media.
One of the unique things that Weir brings to the table in this film is his ability to balance multiple genres seamlessly. The Truman Show is both a drama and a comedy, and Weir manages to expertly blend these two elements together to create a film that is both funny and deeply moving.
Weir also demonstrates a masterful control of tone in The Truman Show, moving seamlessly between moments of the different tones that this film tends to convey. Each line of dialogue contributes to this particular tone control, where moments can switch in tension completely despite the world Truman inhabits being artificial.
The story is expertly crafted to keep viewers engaged from start to finish, with the moment-to-moment pacing of the film being done perfectly. There is just a perfect blend of tension, humor, and introspection to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
The Characters
The performances by each member of the cast are nothing short of phenomenal. Jim Carrey delivers what is one of the best performances of his career as Truman Burbank. Carrey expertly balances his trademark humor with moments of genuine humanity and emotion.
The supporting cast is also good, with standout performances by Ed Harris as the manipulative director of the show, and Laura Linney as Truman’s wife. Though, I personally feel that some of the side characters tend to be underutilized, which is a shame because seeing things from their perspective would have been even more humorous.
The Visuals
The Truman Show forces a more washed-out, realistic color tone rather than a cinematic one. The cinematographer, Peter Biziou, uses multiple cameras to capture Truman’s every move from different angles. This technique creates a sense of immersion that draws us into Truman’s world, making us feel like we’re actually watching a real person living a real life.
The use of muted, desaturated colors in the film creates a sense of drabness and monotony that contrasts sharply with the vibrant colors of most other films, it makes the film much more thematically resonant.
The Music
Composer Philip Glass’s hauntingly beautiful score perfectly complements the film’s themes of isolation, control, and freedom. The use of repetitive, minimalist musical motifs creates a sense of tension and unease that underscores Truman’s growing sense of dissatisfaction with his life.
Additionally, the soundtrack includes a number of well-chosen pop songs, these also contribute to the film’s consistent switching of tone from being a comedy to a drama. To be honest, every aspect of the film contributes to it thematically.
Verdict
The Truman Show is a masterpiece of modern cinema, a film that is both funny and deeply moving, thanks to the expert direction of Peter Weir and the cosmic power of its lead actor, Jim Carrey.
The film’s story speaks to the human condition, and the director blends multiple genres seamlessly to ensure that message comes front and center. It is immersive to an unprecedented degree, with the cinematography contributing to that while Philip Glass’s haunting score adds a complimentary ambiance.
The Truman Show is a cinematic triumph and a must-see for any film enthusiast.
