A modern-day nightmare/fable

Rating: Null/10 (26 April 2004)

Director Peter Weir is no stranger to challenging subject matter (Gallipoli, Fearless), as well as the surreal (Picnic At Hanging Rock), but this film is far more daring than those earlier films. Unfortunately marketed as a comedy, I was more intrigued with the film's dramatic elements and wish that this film was made without the general moviegoing audience in mind. While it works as both a comedy and drama, the subject matter is so Twilight Zone-ish and totalitarian that it could easily be turned into a much darker film. But who knows if that would be better?
There are great moments in this film. Example, Truman's "Who the hell are you talking to?" as his wife drones on and on to an invisible audience about the wonders of a Nicaraguan coffee. Ed Harris' final line sums up the whole TV mentality "say something, goddam it, you're on television!" This is one of endings that draws tears no matter how many times you've seen it, just because of Jim Carrey's brilliant portrayal of a man who realizes that his entire world has been a fabrication. Seeing him banging his fist against his life's 'wall' rivals anything from any other fantasy films, 'Brazil' included