The Truman Show stars the talented Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, Ed Harris as Christof and Laura Linney as Meryl Burbank. The film centers on Truman Burbank who is the star of his own reality television show but the catch is that he doesn't know he is being filmed. Ever since Truman was a child his entire life has been broadcast on television for the world to see. Truman is also unaware that the place he calls home is actually a movie studio that is completely enclosed by a dome. Everyone that Truman encounters, including his wife Meryl, are actors in his world and perform their parts each and every day.
As we pick up the story Truman is now in his mid to late 30s and is beginning to get the itch to travel outside of his familiar world. 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. Truman soon discovers that there is a reason that his friends don't want him to leave. He also finds out that the city he lives in isn't as normal as he once thought. He discovers movie lighting that falls from the sky, uncovers the buildings in the downtown area are just building fronts and that there are hidden cameras everywhere.Although his friends and loved ones do everything they can to convince him to stay Truman realizes that his freedom is more important. The ending of this film is brilliant and I won't give it away but it is worth the wait.
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.