The Confluence of Celebrity and Privacy: "The Truman Show"

This is the first of a recurring series that will run on Fridays in which I feature a review of some of my all-time favorite movies.

In the age of Snooki and Kardashian, Charlie Sheen megalomania and Justin Bieber hysteria, Peter Weir's magnificent 1998 film, The Truman Show, has never been more timely. Here is a film that was remarkably prescient, a sharp and searing examination of our obsession with and embrace of a celebrity culture, for better or for worse. With a perfect mix of delightful comedy and sublime drama, The Truman Show is something of a miracle, a profound and exhilarating film that speaks to the essence of the crossroads between celebrity and privacy, fame and anonymity.

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Jim Carrey stars as Truman Burbank, an unfailingly ebullient and upbeat everyday American who is the unknowing subject of a hugely popular reality show that has filmed his life since birth. As far as Truman is concerned, he lives an ideal life, with a seemingly loving wife (Laura Linney), and a seemingly loyal friend (Noah Emmerich). Little does he know that everybody with whom he comes into contact is an actor following the orders of the obsessive creator of "The Truman Show" (Ed Harris). As the movie progresses, Truman becomes increasingly aware of the fictional world that surrounds him, and with the American public emotionally invested in his every move, Truman embarks on a journey to enter the real world and find his true belonging.

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A mere description of the plot does not do justice to this extraordinarily powerful film. The Truman Show is a life-affirming triumph that touches on some uncomfortable truths about our celebrity-hungry society. Every aspect of this movie shines. Peter Weir's direction is gorgeous and focused, and he astutely resists to urge to succumb to flashy directorial flourishes, instead letting the story speak for itself. Weir's direction is buoyed by the exemplary, innovative Andrew Niccol screenplay, and the superb acting. Jim Carrey gives the best performance of his accomplished career in the lead role, giving a beautifully nuanced, heartbreaking performance that should have earned him an Oscar nomination. Laura Linney and Noah Emmerich are outstanding as the actors posing as Truman's wife and best friend, respectively. And Ed Harris is brilliant as the creator who struggles to keep a firm grasp on Truman's life in the face of Truman's persistent desire to foray into reality.

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The Truman Show never strikes a false note. It is simultaneously funny, poignant, thought-provoking, devastating, and uplifting. I have seen The Truman Show many times, and at the end of each viewing, I bask in the glow of the film's emotional power. The Truman Show is a shining example of why I love the movies.