If you want a meaty, comment-provoking movie for family night that will engage your ‘tweeners and teenagers, you’ll find nothing better than “The Truman Show.”
This 1998 masterpiece from versatile director Peter Weir predated our current preoccupation with reality TV, portraying the struggle of a man born to live his entire life on camera.
Jim Carrey, in the best work he has ever done, plays Truman, adopted by a megalomaniacal TV producer (Ed Harris) and raised in a fake village that is actually an enormous TV set. Americans watch Truman’s 24-hour show – sleeping and all – in record numbers, but Truman is oblivious. He thinks his perfect wife and his tranquil town are for real.
Truman may be naive, but he’s not stupid. He starts noticing oddities in his routine, and becomes suspicious. The unraveling of Truman’s life, and his fight to become his own man free of cameras, gives “The Truman Show” an unforgettable plot. Next time your kids take a spontaneous picture or movie with a cellphone camera, they’ll remember this movie.
“Truman” received Oscar nominations for screenplay and director, but it was a travesty that a rich year for movies kept it from a nod for best picture
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the Screen Team blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
The Truman Show
Rated: PG for adult situations, adult humor
Best for: Children 9 or older
