Reaction to The Truman Show PG 1998 ScifiDrama 1h 47m

What director would you like to do this film?

W Martin

This has aged very well. I remember there being such a huge amount of hype around this film when it came out and as a result, even though I enjoyed it I was expecting something incredible and transformative, which never came. But in retrospect it's an immensely well done film. Partly it's the little notes of real darkness and strangeness, which are often down to Philip Glass's score. The part where Truman's friend makes that impassioned, beautiful, heartfelt and completely phoney speech to him, all of which was written beforehand...that's an unsettling scene for the combination of sincerity and phoniness. You actually believe him as he's saying it, even though you know it's a lie. You're believing it along with Truman. And the ending is handled brilliantly. You have those ever-present, dreamy, lullaby-strings playing as the complacent 'creator' sweet-talks Truman into staying...then there's a sudden shift in Glass's score, to a strident, imminent, jittery arpeggio, and Truman turns to the camera and delivers his parting line, with that funny little bow and wave. An average director would've showed us Truman going with his girl to Fiji or something. I like that Weir had the confidence to leave it at that.

Saul

I will add those to my list thanks for the recommendations! I think I may have Donnie Darko, Tay likes it but I have only seen one short bit of it years ago. Thanks and have a great week.

After Work Reactions

I totally agree. It for sure keeps you on your toes and it was interesting for sure. Thanks bud take care.

After Work Reactions

That is crazy man I will read more into that. Thanks for the link bud!

After Work Reactions

Oh wow no I didn't notice that, how crazy.

After Work Reactions

Very true man!

After Work Reactions

Tony Smyth

This is such a brilliant film, one of my favourites and a fantastic reaction from you, Josh! :-) I would recommend Donnie Darko for a future movie poll as I think you'd enjoy it, although I would actually recommend the Director's Cut for reaction - there's more to it, it's a bit more comprehensible, and whilst I think the purists prefer the original cut, I actually prefer the Director's Cut as I prefer the music cues above everything else. It's a strange film that will stay with you long after you've watched it. I would also recommend Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind if you like Carrey, haven't seen it, and liked this one (which evidently you did! ;-)). It's a fantastic film, really well written, with brilliant performances from Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson and Kirsten Dunst. It's as thought-provoking as this one, certainly I'd say, and you see more of Carrey's "serious" acting, of which he is really strong I think! :-)

Ash Jeffries

Love this film so much. It keeps you engrossed all the way through, plus it's such a strange feeling finding some of the stuff funny while the same time your heart breaks for Truman. Cheers

W Martin

Last year this brilliant thread on Twitter pointed out the insane amount of design details that went into the movie : https://twitter.com/moranmarc13/status/1279489083144880130?s=19 ...including how Truman takes vitamin D pills to counter not getting any natural sunlight, and his multiple greeting catchphrase is (unintentionally) meant to greet viewers across the globe in different time zones!

David Lyons

That was Harry Shearer, who also does a ton of voices on The Simpsons :)

David Lyons

The bit that you didn't notice when he was looking at the wedding photo, was that she had her fingers crossed signifying that it didn't count as a real marriage.

Richard Carter

Awesome I am happy you enjoyed it!

After Work Reactions

Thanks bud happy you enjoyed it. I haven't seen Interstellar but I did see Avatar once when it first came out. I will add it to my list!

After Work Reactions

Brilliant film. Did anybody notice the guy interviewing Kristoff was the guy that played bass for Spinal Tap!!

Hannah

I will add those to my list bud!

After Work Reactions

LOL I for sure have thought that before haha

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Thanks bud happy you enjoyed!

After Work Reactions

How could you ever know what was "real" even once you got out? 🙂

Mr K

I watched the first series in the UK and enjoyed parts of it. It was new, and different. But the turn off for me was not just the producers bringing in weirdos (as you say) but people seeing it as a cheap way to fame. People acting up more to the camera to get more airtime and future celeb status.

Ryan Lynch

I would say that the success of the show in the movie could also be down to the fact that it's so close to real life that the audience get more of a connection. If it was a 'world' with no TV, or worse technology people would look down on him rather than cheer for him.

Tom Tucker

Great movie. "You never had a camera in my head." Has me every time. What find partially interesting. Why a creator would decide to build a world so similar to our own for some one that quite literally doesn't know any better. He's more able to so easily grasp the concept that he's part of a television show, because they are part of his world. It makes is easier for the puppet to recognise his strings. It's perhaps because it's more for the audience. Who, interesting, move on so quickly after he discovers those lies and snips himself free from them. The puppet master cares very little for the puppet, but more the audience he courts. This make him, for me, one of films greatest villians. So deluded by his own motives. Maybe a pure evil creation. The design of the prison is what partly enables the victim to recognise it and then escape.

Daryl

Great reaction. Can I request ‘Layer Cake’ for the next poll, also ‘Interstellar’ too as someone else said 👍

Joe S

What a great movie! Seen it before a few years ago, but amazing again, and loved the reaction. Josh, have you seen Interstellar or Avatar? If not then I highly recommend both. As a syfy fan I reckon you'll love them 🙂

I was never into the manufactured "reality" shows. I did like Big Brother when it first appeared because I was intrigued about the psychological aspect of having strangers isolated in a small space for a period of time. Over the years it became more farcical by purposely having more and more weird people in it because the producers knew they'd piss off the others, and the producers would also do things to create animosity. Once the producers started interfering to create situations was when I stopped watching.

(Just) Steve

Me, Myself and Irene is a great film. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is good too.

Don Roshi

Your explanation at the of reality shows sounds like the media lol.

Before Big Brother and before social media where everyone lives their lives out in the open. I used to like Jim Carey back in the 90s, then he vanished..... though I loved "Me Myself and Irene" as a teen.

I really enjoyed watching this movie with you!! I haven't seen this movie in a long time

Josip Buretic

Enjoy the next few weeks wondering if you're actually starring in 'the Josh show' whenever something unusual happens. This film makes everyone a bit paranoid for a while after seeing it 😂🤣

Alex

The livestream of the kids first steps is a scary thing. But yeah, this is reality for some people right now. You only know what you know. Growing up in that environment will give them a different perspective on life (not to mention the morality of it all). At least Big Brother and the like presented people with a choice.

Don Roshi

great movie and a great reaction !! really enjoyed that even though its 3 am here now !! lol ok off to bed :) thanks josh

Markos