This is Carrey like you've never seen him before

Jim Carrey has made a career out of his butt. It's quite amazing to see someone so agile with that area of the body, and yet at the same time, it's quite annoying. When you watch Ace Ventura: Pet Detective or its sequel, you get the impression that Carrey is a very intelligent guy stuck in a type-cast that won't let him out. However, this would not be true, because in actuality, he is intelligent but knows exactly how to work himself into popularity. THE TRUMAN SHOW would not be possible were it not for Carrey, because anyone else in the starring role would make the film flop at the box office.

However, Jim Carrey is the star, and the producers can relax knowing that the first weekend gross will be rather massive. Unfortunately, after leaving the theater (many people opted to leave before the film ended), I overheard many people complaining about the film. They, of course, were expecting a Jim Carrey film, full with his manic comic talent displayed. But this is Carrey like you've never seen him before. His first try at drama was in the disastrous dark-comedy The Cable Guy, but his character was the only non-serious one in the film. So THE TRUMAN SHOW is actually his first real try for drama, and he succeeds with flying colors.

THE TRUMAN SHOW begins unusually and it might throw off many viewers. Now, before I go on, if you have not seen the film, and if you have managed to avoid the barrage of previews, don't read on. The film is a mystery in the same way Dark City is a mystery. If you somehow have not discovered the trick in the film, don't continue reading until you see the movie. The movie begins with a small explanation by Christof (Ed Harris), telling why he created the show. Then (without any sort of opening credits sequence, unless you count the credits for the television show) the film jumps right in to showing Truman Burbank (Carrey) and how he goes about his day. He greets his neighbors the same way, he goes to a newsstand, and then goes to work. However, this one day is considerably different. Something falls out of the sky and lands right in the middle of the street. Truman approaches it cautiously and nudges it (almost a homage to Kubrick's 2001). He picks it up and reads the label on the side: it's a light, the same kind they use in film and TV production. Of course, this is only the start.

Over the next couple of days (the film never bothers to mention the time period in which this all takes place), Truman begins to notice unusual events, such as an elevator with no back wall and people sitting around, and an old bum that looks like his father. Before he can talk to him, the old man is whisked away by two people. Quickly, his world becomes a mystery to him as he tries to discover the secrets that have always been lurking behind the innocent facade. THE TRUMAN SHOW now wisely reveals to us, the viewers, what is going on: Truman is the star of a television show, and he doesn't even know it. How can a man not know this for his entire life? He was adopted by the corporation (the first successfully ever to be adopted by something other than parents) and was raised in a massive dome, the second man-made object that can be seen from outer space. Everyone around him is an actor, and none of them pause a moment before placing a product (how else can a show afford to stay on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?).

Of course, as soon as he begins to suspect something, the producers of the show do everything in their power to prevent him from discovering what is really happening. In fact, to make sure he wouldn't try to leave Seahaven, the name of the small island, Christof had Truman's father (Brian Delate) killed in an accident on the ocean. Because of this, Truman is completely afraid to cross water. But Truman is not an idiot, and he kidnaps Meryl (Laura Linney), his wife, and forces her to drive across the bridge out of town. During all of this, Truman is completely unaware of the immenseness of his situation. Despite all the strange happenings, he is unable to figure out what is going on. Of course, all of this makes viewers question their own existence, and sometimes we get the feeling that we are being watched. This existential perspective is not uncommon to films, and this is one of the elements that makes the film unoriginal. We have seen it done in Dark City and other films of the same nature, but critics and audience are hailing the film as an original piece of work. The ending is vastly similar to the aforementioned film by Alex Proyas. So what makes the film original? It's the way the material is handled. Dark City shared similar events and themes, but it was a dark, comic book tale. THE TRUMAN SHOW is an upbeat dramedy that contains several postmodernistic themes. Truman is the pawn of the corporation, and the producers could care less about his life than ratings.

Director Peter Weir has done a phenomenal job with directing, using cameras effectively to let us know that what we see is what the cameras in Truman's world is seeing. The black outline around the images allow us to distinguish between what the TV audience is seeing, and when we are viewing the TV audience (does that make much sense?). His direction is mostly held back by the story, allowing the actors to shine. Weir is never an extravagant director, but for this material, he is one of the few directors who could have done it properly. But of course, the real star, technically, is Andrew Niccol's screenplay. Niccol wrote last year's Gattaca, a haunting and disturbing postmodernistic tale of the human spirit. However, here he tops himself, with a story that combines humor and drama into a wonderful dark comedy. The dialogue is smart and quirky, and the plot is skillful. My only complaint is that the film ends too quickly, leaving too many questions unanswered, and giving that dreadful feeling of a sequel. Fortunately, the film is good enough to warrant a sequel, and ironically, possibly even a TV show.

Much has been said regarding Jim Carrey's performance. All I can say is that he does a good job. It won't garner him an Oscar nomination, but it is suitable for the film. I doubt an actor could do an Oscar-worthy job in this role, but Carrey came as close as any actor could. However, Ed Harris does a terrific job as Christof (could that name be a coincidence?), and could get him yet another Oscar nomination. Harris' delivery of the lines is perfect, especially one line that seems ripped right out of TV's The Simpsons ("I am the creator... of a television show"). Laura Linney has one of the more thankless roles, but she brings the character to life with her presence. Her face shows what she thinks, and her bouts to win Truman back are credible. Natascha McElhone has a small part, but important to the plot. In fact, she is underused as Truman's only true love. And of course, Noah Emmerich (is this any relationship to Roland Emmerich, the director?), who portrays Marlon, Truman's best friend. Emmerich does a great job of making us like him, while wanting to hate him at the same time. But Carrey is the star, and he is the one to watch.

THE TRUMAN SHOW is rated PG for thematic elements and some language. The film is suitable for everyone, but not everyone will enjoy it. Fans of Carrey's Ventura gig will more than likely be turned away. However, those with open minds will likely be pleased with the movie. THE TRUMAN SHOW is one of the year's smartest films, and look for the screenplay to get an Oscar nomination (Niccol's Gattaca deserved one last year, but didn't). This is so far Carrey's best film, and it makes you wonder what his plans are for the future. If the film does well (which it probably will), Carrey may take up more dramatic roles. And he should. It's infinitely better than any Ace Ventura movie (although, I must admit that I do think the films are quite funny).