Well here's Hallenbeck's essay on why THE TRUMAN SHOW isn't the film of the decade (I agree), and why it is not a great film in the sense of THE great films, but merely a good film. And I have to say that even though I really like this film a lot, that I think it is one of the better films of the year, though personally I feel GODS & MONSTERS, THE MIGHTY, APT PUPIL, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and SIX STRING SAMURAI are the absolute best films I have seen thus far this year, and as a footnote I really and honestly believe that GODS & MONSTERS is the jewel that will not be passed this year. It is quite simply brilliant in my opinion. So take into account that THE TRUMAN SHOW comes in at number six on my fave list so far this year.
I want to address something that has been bothering me these past couple days. I know I'll be in the minority for writing what I'm about to write, but I feel that this issue must be addressed.
As some of you may know, I have been looking forward to The Truman Show for quite some time. From it's buzz and it's reviews, I expected a great movie...if not a Masterpiece. I had the highest of expectations for this movie. So, it saddens me to report that the movie was, unfortunately, a disapointment. It's not a great movie in the least bit, let alone the Masterpiece some proclaimed it to be. It is a good movie at best...one of the better ones released in the past couple of years. It's a thinking man's movie. Unfortunately, the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. I've seen the movie twice now and I've figured out what's wrong with it...NO MAGIC! You know what I'm talking about...the great movies(especially the Masterpieces) have that certain something that makes them "Special". Everything beautifully comes together. As an added bonus, there's a little something "Extra" that we can't quite put our fingers on. It's that litle extra something that makes the film a highly memorable and pleasant movie going experience. TS just lacked that magic that makes a good movie great or a great movie a Masterpiece.
One of the problems I had with the movie was with Truman himself. Carrey did a good job with the role, but nothing exceptional. There weren't any scenes that were Academy material. He mugged a little too much for my taste. Carrey aside, the character of Truman is supposed to be one that the audiences instantly loves. Years from now, if you try to refer to someone as being a Truman Burbank, no one will know what the hell you're talking about. He has no true identity...no charm or characteristics we can identify with. He's no George Bailley, Forrest, or even a Travis Bickle. For someone who's supposed to be the star, he's pretty much bland and unoriginal. As are his co-stars. In great movies, we have supporting characters that are lovable and/or dispicable...but we love them just the same. I couldn't even tell you who the supporting charcters were in the movie. They all molded into one. In "It's a Wonderful Life", we all know Bert and Ernie. Mary Bailley and the Kids. Mrs. Bailley and Mamie. We know everyone in town. If Truman Show were a "real" show, it would be mighty boring. The only thing to watch is Truman...and he's more boring than Strohm Thurman. I appreciate the voyueristic aspects of the movie and I completely understand the psychological and social aspects of the show's concept, but give his supporting charcters something else to do besides hock products(which is clever and funny) and give the old guy pep talks. How one note is that?
The lack of heart in the movie really got to me, particularly the second time around. I cried when I saw the Trailer...I didn't shed a tear when I watched the movie. At no point in the movie did I feel emotionally attached to this man. I wanted to go on this journey with him. I wanted to escape with him. I wanted to put myself in Truman's shoes. Unfortunately, I couldn't because I never looked at Truman as a human being. Everything and everyone around him was phoney, thus, he is phoney. If your entire life(your environment in particular) is ficticious, then how can you be a real person? Your emotions are scripted by the writers and manipualted by the actors. You can't truly be a "Human Being' if your entire life is a lie. That's another thing that bothered me about the movie...his life was an entire lie and he never asked why. We have all addressed God once in our lives and asked, "Why Me? What did I ever do to you?" Truman never asked Christof that. He never addressed that simple, yet logical question.
We've been sifting through so much shit these last 3 or 4 years, that when a movie like Truman comes out that is fairly original and pretty good, we declare it a Masterpiece. Titanic is a great movie that came out recently, but it ain't no Masterpiece. I look at the Big Boat like this...Titanic is like Handel and something like Gone With the Wind is like Beethoven. Handel was a great composer, but he's no Beethoven. If Truman would've come out 20 years earlier, it would be considered a flawed, but good movie. The last true Masterpiece that was produced in Hollywood was Gump. Truman ain't no Gump. I know he's not suppposed to be, but he should've given the ole' retard a run for his money. I know I'll get alot of shit for this little rant, but I think the truth should be heard. Open your minds and listen to your hearts. Truman is a good movie...THAT'S IT! It's not GREAT and it sure as hell ain't no Masterpiece.
Now you may go get the axe sharpened, light the torches, and come hunt me down like the blasphemus heathen I am. But before you do that, take a gander at the review below.
send human hearts to:
hallenbeck69@hotmail.com
