A truly novel concept, well-executed, a fine Jim Carrey performance, I rate "8" of 10.

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2001)

First off, a logical individual knows the whole premise of "The Truman Show" could never happen, just like "Being John Malkovich" could never happen. A "world" entirely encased in a very large dome, with a large lake and even sunrise, sunset, and weather! So we must look for a deeper meaning to this film. To me, it is a re-statement of the old saw "it is better to be free and risk the perils of life than to be confined and protected in an artificial world." (Hmmm ... maybe that applies to wild animals too - maybe we should abolish zoos!?)
Carrey's character, Truman, as a 30-yr-old adult whose life has been a live TV show, 24/7, for 30 years. It started with "one" camera, but now there are over 5,000 in Truman's world. He begins to suspect his world is not real, that all the friends and aquaintances are actors, that his whole life is "just a TV show!" This is revealed fairly early in the film, and the rest of the film we watch the development of his understanding of his situation, and eventually his plan to "escape", or die trying. Just like the chickens in the more recent film, "Chicken Run."
A renegade actor tells him it is all a fake. He studies an old photo of his wedding and sees his wife's fingers are crossed. He changes his daily routine and sees a fake elevator in one building. He begins to notice that the same people, cars, and bicycles simply go around the blocks and repeat. A funny scene, which you can only appreciate if you've been in a film as a cast member or extra, the "directors" tell all the people in the street, "first positions, everyone", and they all hold their positions, waiting for "action."
In an interview with the reclusive "Christo" (Ed Harris) he explains that Truman was one of 5 unwanted babies due to be born, and he was selected because his birth was at the right time, nothing else. He had a pretend dad who later pretended to drown, as a way to make Truman scared of water and hopefully prevent his exploring too widely. Was it cruel for a corporation to adopt this baby, then use him for a show? Christo's p.o.v. was that Truman had a much better life this way.
The film is very well done, and Carrey does some of his best work here in a "serious" role. The preise is fascinating, and the way it is depicted remains very interesting all the way to the end. I rate it a very strong "8" of 10.