Seems like ol PARAMOUNT is screening TRUMAN SHOW all over the place. Boston, on the Paramount Lot in LA and Las Vegas. Well, given I've heard from all of those locations, I guess I'm happy. Here is a smattering of the reviews I've been receiving in the last 24 hour period. The word has been predominately strong. However, just about everyone thinks Paramount's marketing of the film borders on the moronic. Setting people up for a laugh a minute, Jim Carrey rubber face mish mash, while actually delivering a strong drama. This ambushes the film, and takes away from what would be an otherwise honest film experience. If the film is as good as the 'people out there' say, then by all means advertise it as being a GOOD movie, a REMARKABLE movie, not 'Listen as I talk out my Ass - Jim Carrey humor" flick. Don't ambush Weir's movie.
Then there is this review from Roper, who seems to have loved the film something awful...
I just saw The Truman Show. You know, Jim Carrey's first straight role, a sort of comedy/drama (like As Good As it Gets, but different concept. Same hard to achieve type of film though) The concept is both intriguing and off-putting. I liked the idea (Truman's entire life is a TV show, his friends and family actors, what happens when he finds out) but also sounds just about impossible to pull off. I'd heard good things about it and liked the trailer, so I was expecting a good movie. I was not at all prepared for the sheer brilliance of The Truman Show. I'm trying very hard to control myself, to avoid sounding like one of the critics who always gets quoted in the ads (The Truman Show is the greatest film of the year!!!! Jim Carrey will win an OSCAR!!!!!!!!!!!) but...I really do feel that way. I'm having trouble writing coherently, I'm still shivering with sheer joy. I generally let myself go when I'm watching movies, to greatest degrees with greater films, getting completely involved with the film -- every emotion tied up with what's happening, barely aware of the surroundings. I can't say that I got farther into The Truman Show than any recent movie, because I saw Fireworks last week, and that was just as amazing -- but where Fireworks is pessimistic, peaceful, and violent, The Truman Show is optimistic, cheerful, uplifting. The film frequently cuts away to selected members of the enormous numbers of viewers worldwide who watch The Truman Show zealously. We're told (and shown) some of them sleep with it on, just for the comfort. We're told (and shown) that it provides comfort, hope, and spirit to billions of people every hour of every day. The movie provides that to its audience. Since every hour of his life is televised, using a bizarre array of hidden cameras located on every inch of the huge set, we're basically watching The Truman Show. We get to see some of the viewers, and some of the controllers and people in charge of the show (including the show's mastermind, Ed Harris), but other than that, we're seeing what everyone watching is seeing. A good portion of the show is shot with masked edges, to suggest a button camera, or whatever odd location the camera's hidden in.
We're constantly aware that we're watching a TV show, and we're watching Truman slowly catching on, and his varied responses to it. I've liked a few of Peter Weir's other films, but none showed the technical brilliance, of the astonishing sense of pace and timing he shows here. It's possible he's working with a better editor, but I really think it all comes back to Andrew Niccol's screenplay. The screenplay is really good. It's one of the best screenplay's I've ever seen filmed, and better than any of the screenplays nominated for Academy Awards last year (I'm doing it aren't I, trade ads, here I come), not simply because it's got everything you look for in screenplay -- great dialogue, believable characters, great structure -- but it never once is unrealistic. Accepting a few improbabilities built into the concept, every event, every line, every action, is perfectly true to the situation and to the characters. It never steps out of line. I can't say enough about the structure. It lets us know more than Truman, gets the concept and world across quickly, yet we never start to think Truman's an idiot for not knowing. As Harris says, "We accept the reality we're given."
We see several bizarre incidents that would have clued us in, but Truman's lived in this world all his life -- he simply accepts it when it starts to rain only on him, and what seems unusual even to him is quickly explained away on the news. Laura Linney, who I hated in Primal Fear, is terrific as his bland '50's sit-com wife (his whole world is like a '50's sit-com) who keeps delivering commercials for new products to keep the show funded. The Truman Show itself is an international phenomenon, and I can't imagine this film not becoming one too. I can't wait to see it again. It manipulated me, without ever making me aware that it was. Carrey's quite underplaying of Truman kept me in line, kept me following his story with rapt attention. I can believe the show would be so successful -- if it was as good as this movie, I'd watch it all day, every day.
Then there is what the Hot Dog Vendor had to say....
just saw it. very mediocre film. interesting idea, with jim carrey's life being broadcast as a television show to millions without his knowldege. but that idea wears thin after two hours. couldn't really get into caring about his character. it is not a comedy per se, i don't think it really tries to be. only a handful of laughs in this one. those expecting to see a goofy, animated carrey will be sorely disappointed.....
Then there is this blurb from Cowboy Neal, the rootinest tootinest slim thoughted cowboy in the L.A. area..
Saw what they called a final print of "The Truman Show" today at Paramount. Just wanted to say that Weir pulled it off fabulously and Carrey is also wonderful. They make the premise work and the story is told beautifully. That's all I've got cajones for.
Jack, that wiley ol 3-time gold dude dude, saw it last night at the Paramount Theater -- the final print. He really enjoyed the film... so read below...
THE TRUMAN SHOW
Peter Weir, a two-time Academy Award nominee for helming the critically lauded "Witness" and "Dead Poets Society" has directed three -- count that: three --actors to Oscar nominated roles (those of course being Harrison Ford, Robin Williams and Rosie Perez). Now, can he do it for the famous funny man Jim Carrey? I sure think and hope so.
Weir's latest effort, "The Truman Show (which I saw tonight at Paramount)," is not the typical Carrey or Weir flick. Some will promptly assume (especially after the dismal trailer) that this is another Carrey slapstick comedy. Well they would be wrong. It's a drama with a dose of comic relief.
Jim Carrey plays Truman Burbank, a life insurance salesman, oblivious to his real domicile -- a Hollywood soundstage made up to look like a Florida goody- goody town, Sea Haven. He seems to be a happy man on the external side, but internally, he is devastated -- his father, you see, died numerous years ago at sea, and ever since he's felt nothing but anxiety when being around water. His true love and once high school flame, Silvia (her name was Audrey in the original script), was mysteriously written off the show because Truman's creator, Christof (Ed Harris), feared she would let the cat out of the bag and tell Truman everything. This is why Truman is such an afflicted man -- but it goes all unnoticed until more things go wrong. This is when Truman takes action and attempts to escape.
The performances are great all around. Jim Carrey, as I stated in my opening paragraph, is Oscar worthy. His performance reminded me of the late (actually young) Jimmy Stewart. Laura Linney as Truman's wife, Meryl, is notable, too. I think the joke about her character is that she (her character) is a bad actress, who overacts. Ed Harris playing Christof is superb as well. He would (and does) stop at nothing to keep his creation in its synthetic habitat -- even if death is the answer.
So, I warn you -- don't go expecting to see a comedy, because you'll be disappointed. It is a drama! A very good one, too. Mark your calendars, ladies and gents -- the film opens June 5.
