The Truman Show
Don Ignacio Clazzek
Week of October 28 - November 3, 2001
Week of October 28 - November 3, 2001
This is one of the few comedies to come out in the 1990's to be a classic! Yes, I'm making the bold statement to say that "The Truman Show" will go down into the annals of film history as an undisputed classic. Released only in 1998, "The Truman Show" became one of the most critically acclaimed films of the 90's surpassing even the enormous box-office success and the Academy Award-ridden "Titanic!" (Certainly not "Schindler's List," however.)
Critics and audiences alike were amazed at the premise of this movie! It's about a man named Truman Burbank (played astoundingly by Jim Carrey) who is the star of his own television show, but doesn't know it! Yes, his entire life is broadcasted live to millions of viewers. His friends and family are all actors. The place where he lives is an incredibly huge studio. The producer of this show, Cristof (played by Ed Harris), plans to keep running this show until Truman's death. However, Truman isn't truly happy with his life even though it is something the lot of us only dream about. Of all things, his passion is to be a traveler, but something always seems to occur to prevent him from realizing this dream!
This movie is nothing short of amazing! It was completely overlooked in the Academy Awards, too (even though there was SUPPOSEDLY stiff competition from "Shakespeare in Love" and "Saving Private Ryan" but that's beside the point.) This movie was barely nominated for ANYTHING! It was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. But of course it didn't win anything because it all went to "Shakespeare in Love" and "Saving Private Ryan!" Come on, Academy! Shape up or ship out! "Elizabeth" and "The Thin Red Line" was picked over "The Truman Show" for Best Picture! That's not right! Grrrrrrrrrr! And why didn't Jim Carrey get nominated for Best Actor? Come on guys! Just because Carrey's previous roles were in "Liar, Liar," "The Cable Guy," and "Dumb and Dumber," doesn't mean he is not a descent actor! Look at Tom Hanks for crying out loud! He used to be a cross dresser in a stupid sitcom and he has won two Academy Awards all ready! Indeed, this movie was totally underrepresented in the 1998 Oscars.
Okay, I think I'll quit complaining now.
FINAL VERDICT: A+
"The Truman Show" is one of the best movies to come out of the 1990's. Not only does it contain a brilliant screenplay and brilliant direction, it contains a simply astonishing performance from Jim Carrey (and nobody thought we'd ever see the day!) The only thing terrible about this movie is that it was overlooked in the Academy Awards!
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History:
Released: June 5, 1998
Domestic Gross: $125,603,000
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Full Cast:
Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Brian Delate, Una Damon, Paul Giamatti, Philip Baker Hall, Peter Krouse, John Pleshette
Directed by:
Peter Weir
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1998 comedy
Rated PG.
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Don Ignacio's score: A+
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