Provocative and inspiring

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 1998)

Most praise that The Truman Show gets is truly deserved. It is one of the most provocative and inspiring movies of this decade and perhaps all time.
The concept of this movie is one that many of us have thought before about our own lives. What if this is just a set-up? What if everyone in my life is just acting, playing a big joke, on ME? This concept, coupled with brilliant screenplay, cinematography, and acting makes The Truman Show a definite winner.
Particularly notable is Jim Carrey, proving once and for all that he is not just a rubber-faced slapstick actor, but can really give a character a personality. Ed Harris is powerful again as Christof, the creator of "The Truman Show."
One of the largest gripes about this movie is its ending, and those reading this who don't want to know should stop right here.
There are complaints that the writers left the audience hanging, that the audience wants to know: What happens to Truman? What happens with his true love, what happens to Christof? Many people call this the downfall of the effect of the movie, but I find it to be one of the truest and most provocative aspects of it. The reason that we do not see what happens to Truman, is because we are no longer seeing the "Truman Show." When he steps out of that door, we are no longer privy to what is, after all, HIS life. Why didn't the writers write out a more fulfilling ending for Truman? Because his life ISN'T written out for him anymore. No longer is he subject to what others feels he should do. He, and we, are freed with his final step through that door.