Jim Carrey: Truman Burbank
Laura Linney: Meryl Burbank
Noah Emerich: Marlon
Natascha McElhone: Lauren/Sylvia
Ed Harris: Christof
Writer/Co-Producer: Andrew Niccol
Cinematographer: Peter Biziou
Director: Peter Weir |
Move over "Sylvania Waters", here comes "The Truman Show"!
For 30 years, from the moment of his birth, Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) has been the unknowing star of the longest running documentary soap opera of all time. Whilst Truman plays himself, everyone else in his life is an actor. Even the town where he lives is a fiction, "one of only two manmade structures visible from space (the other being the Great Wall of China)" as we are told by "The Truman Show" announcer.
When Truman decides he wants to escape to Fiji, emergency plans swing into action - the show must go on. One by one Truman's efforts to fulfil his dream are foiled, and he begins to suspect his life is not his own.
The hints as to the falsity of Truman's world are there from the beginning. There are unusual camera angles, the use of oval or circular masks, and occasional technical glitches allow us to overhear the production crew. Sometimes we watch "the show" with the characters on the screen, or experience the power of Christof in his control room high above Seahaven.
All the performances are strong. Ed Harris is great as Christof, the packager, the puppetmaster, an god-like father figure, creator and director of the hit show. And Jim Carrey is superb as Truman Burbank. His performance combines his well-known manic energy and physical comedy, with vulnerability and determination, so that Truman comes alive as a fully rounded character inviting our sympathy and respect.
Carrey is well supported by Laura Linney as his wife and Natascha McElhone as his lost love - the actress who was sacked when she became emotionally involved with Truman - and Noah Emerich is wonderful as Marlon, the actor who plays Truman's best friend.
Written by New Zealander Andrew Niccol, and directed by Australian Peter Weir, "The Truman Show" is wonderful entertainment with a sharp and thought-provoking edge.
Free Truman!
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