The Truman Show stars the talented Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank
, Ed Harris as Christof and Laura Linney as Meryl Burbank. Truman Burbank has been a reality TV star since the day he was born. Unfortunately for Truman he has no idea he is famous. Truman's life has been broadcast to millions of loyal viewers since the day he was born. Truman lives in a studio that is completely enclosed to the outside world so that the director, Christof, can have complete control. Not only are the weather elements completely controlled but so are the actors that surround Truman everyday including his wife Meryl.
The movie opens with Truman in his late 30s wanting desperately to explore the world outside of his familiar surroundings. The cast and crew of Truman's reality show work hard to convince him otherwise as the risk of Truman leaving the studio is too great. It doesn't take long before Truman begins to realize that there are motivations behind his friends and family not wanting him to leave. His suspicions increase when he discovers his surroundings are a bit more predictable than they should be. When he picks up a movie light that fell from the sky he begins to question everything, including the buildings in downtown not having interiors.
Truman eventually comes to the conclusion that his freedom is more important than his friends and families wishes for him to stay. Without giving away the end of the movie it ends brilliantly with a confrontation between Truman and Christof.
The Truman Show represents an early depiction of where reality television will most likely go. The Truman Show was written by the talented Andrew Niccol (The Terminal, Gattaca) and was directed by Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society). Weir and Niccol were a great team putting together a film that will stand the test of time as a great story as well as a movie that makes you think.
The Truman Show received three Oscan nominations for Best Director (Peter Weir), Best actor in a supporting role (Ed Harris) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Andrew Niccol). Both Ed Harris and Jim Carrey were recognized with Golden Globes for their roles in the film.