Truman hits it big as TV show

No need for ID, the man is legit. Previously known for his elastic face and crazy onscreen antics, Jim Carrey shines in his first real attempt at a serious role. "The Truman Show" is not the typical game of one-upmanship that has grown to be the norm for Carrey's movies. Instead it slowly brings the audience into a story that builds and progresses throughout its duration.

Carrey plays Truman Burbank, a character whose every move in life the basis of the wildly popular and live television program, "The Truman Show." Since birth, Truman has lived in a self-contained dome that is known as Seahaven Island. As 5,000 cameras capture his every move, Truman is surrounded by actors from the entertainment industry who play different characters in his life.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Noah Emmerich and Jim Carrey star as Marlon and Truman Burbank in "The Truman Show." Carrey's held back his comic talents to pursue a more serious role.

Truman constantly dreams about leaving the island but is unable to for a variety of reasons. First, he has a fear of driving over water, and second, the purpose of all the others on the island is to make sure he stays put. Pulling the strings behind the operation is Hollywood director Christof, (Ed Harris) who runs both the show and Truman's world.

Although the premise of "The Truman Show" may seem a little illogical on paper, director Peter Weir and the actors involved are able to pull things together for an engaging story.

Carrey gives a career-altering performance and shows that he is more than capable of handling big-time dramatic roles. He is still very funny at times in the movie, but instead of constantly hitting the audience over the head with his humor, he carefully picks his spots.

Other than Carrey, the film's main source of humor is the little oddities about the television show and attempts by people on the island to keep Truman there.

Laura Linney takes a turn from her usual serious roles as Meryl, Truman's over-the-top and sweeter-than-sugar wife. Dressed in ridiculously perky clothes, her main job is to keep Truman in check and slip product placements into the show.

REVIEW
	The Truman Show 4 stars

So when she asks Truman if he wants coffee, she gives him the whole lowdown on the particular brand. Because "The Truman Show" is live and doesn't have any commercials the product placement is one of the show's main sources of funding.

Ed Harris gives a ferocious and intense performance as director Christof. The character starts as a parody of Hollywood directors, complete with an enormous ego and some unusual quirks, but changes dramatically by the end of the film. Christof sees Truman as his creation and feels that he is justified in doing whatever he wants to him for the good of the show.

This includes tearing Truman away from his father at an early age, and manipulating everything in Seahaven to keep the show to his liking. By the end of the film Christof turns into a horrible human being, changing the weather on a whim in a last ditch attempt to keep Truman from escaping.

Director Peter Weir does an exceptional job working his way through a difficult subject matter. He is able to hold Carrey's comic talents back, instead focusing on the gradual progression of the story.

He also does a top-of-the-line job in creating the town of Seahaven. The houses and sets look like something straight out of early television, making the television show seem much more realistic.

"The Truman Show" is an exciting movie that builds tension as Truman comes closer and closer to discovering the truth. It benefits from exceptional direction and stellar acting in the three main roles.

The movie is also a little bit more than the story of Truman Burbank's journey, as it makes a biting commentary on society's love affair with television.

By focusing on story and the evolution of its main character, "The Truman Show" is a much-needed alternative to the typical summer fare of explosions, aliens, and disappointment.

09-08-98