The Truman Show . Austin Chronicle . 02-08-99

The Truman Show

DIRECTED BY: Peter Weir

REVIEWED: 02-08-99

A few short months ago, the world was stunned by the bizarre and sudden confluence of the words "Jim Carrey" and "Oscar." It still doesn't seem so strange to think that Jimbo might get the nomination, though he has a tough row to hoe to actually hold the little statue. Why all the fuss? Perhaps it's because Carrey is practically unrecognizable here, in his first non-slapstick role since 1992's Doing Time on Maple Drive, a Fox movie of the week. In the much-ballyhooed Truman Show, it's Carrey vs. the world, whose population is entirely in on the joke that Truman's life is one big put-on, a televised creation from the mind of psycho/genius Christof (Harris). While there's some confusion about how to classify Truman, don't be mistaken: This is a melodrama through and through. But at least it's a watchable one. The film is genuinely entertaining, full of nice touches that give you some inkling of what it might take to pull off such a grandiose stunt. And Carrey indeed does some fine work, despite a wasted supporting cast and a sappy ending. But hell, that seemed to work out pretty well for Forrest Gump, so why not go for seconds?

--Christopher Null

Full Length Reviews
The Truman Show
The Truman Show
The Truman Show
The Truman Show

Other Films by Peter Weir
Picnic at Hanging Rock

Film Vault Suggested Links
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts
Men in Black
My Favorite Martian

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