The Truman Show (1998)
All the world’s a stage.
Presentation:
From the director of Dead Poet’s Society, Peter Weir brings us a high concept take on solipsism that seems to have more in common with The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The experience has a light tone to it led by the bigger than life Jim Carrey, whom is still a bit more serious in this film than other comedies. It is more interesting than funny because of its innovative concept, which was ahead of its time. However the film starts off pretty slowly and confusingly by design that young moviegoers today may find it boring. The language of cinema used in this film can at times feel foreign, which I still found to be more classic than refreshing, but what a trip it must have been to watch in 1998. The cinematography techniques used in this film are unorthodox using ultra wides, zooms, vignette, prisms and incomplete coverage lenses, likely influencing Lanthimos’ current visual style. The presentation is subjective yet observatory and is probably worth watching for that reason alone.
Conclusion:
This film has one central message wrapped up in an entertaining package. Although it’s subtlely implied, it’s potentially profound anyway. It’s quite incredible what is accomplished in this film, however I felt the mechanics were executed better than the feeling, which is only directly addressed for about 5 minutes. I didn’t particularly feel an emotional connection, the same with most Jim Carrey films. He’s still one of the most talented actors in my opinion, but his silliness doesn’t bring the emotional payoff for me here. This is a film where if it were made today would be pitched as a sleek Sci-fi Netflix Black Mirror style thriller. But we have a comedy mystery instead, which really brings back nostalgic tones of 90s cinema. One thing is for sure, it really takes you back to another time, like your favorite TV shows from childhood. A true man within us all.
Recommendations
Reversing time doesn’t heal all wounds.