I've seen this movie quite a few times but just bought it when it was $5 (a steal!). I watched it last night because I hadn't seen it in a while.
This movie is so underrated. Directed by Peter Weir (who directed "Witness," among other films), it is an extremely poignant study of the pseudo-industrial complex that has taken over Hollywood, particularly the mass production of reality TV, in recent times. In fact, it's more poignant now than it was at the time of release (1998) because back then, the only reality TV of mention was, like, The Real World and MTV's various and sundry shows of that nature and maybe Cops. This was before Survivor and the Bachelor and Extreme Makeover and Supernanny and Temptation Island and every other piece of tripe that has been created recently for television.
I think this movie is regarded less favorably overall, however, for two reasons. First, it was released at around the same time as a film with roughly the same concept, EdTV, starring Matthew McConaughey (sp). That film, however, was a dramedy, a lighthearted look at how fame and the invasion of press and public can destroy lives, even though it was about a local yokel type guy elected to be filmed 24/7 for the viewing pleasure of the American public. It was a cute movie, to be sure, but I think the fact that it was a little less serious made it more appealing to the masses.
Second, The Truman Show stars Jim Carrey, and I've found that he's a love him/hate him type star. He was in this movie during his heavy, "serious actor" phase, which people did not seem to widely accept (perhaps preferring the good ole days of Ace Ventura and Fire Marshall Bill, I don't know). I think he's underrated as an actor too and falls in the "love him" category for me, so maybe it's automatically easier for me to like this movie.
I think the film, though, works on so many levels. The performances are brilliant, particularly by Ed Harris as the obsessive creator/director and de facto "father" of this concept and by Laura Linney as his "wife." The mere plot of the story is also ingeniously satirical: a corporation adopts baby Truman, an unwanted pregnancy, and films him from birth; creates a larger spherical TV studio in the Hollywood Hills (one of only two structures to be seen from space); and funds its venture through heavy product placement so that the show can be filmed 24/7. Ms. Linney's deftly inserted pitches for various products are hilarious. The reactions of the various Truman Show viewers are priceless. The love story between him and Sylvia/Lauren (Natascha McElhone) is unassuming, pure, and touching.
This movie would not be what it is without Jim Carrey, though, who inserts his usual madcap zaniness into a situation where he is reacting to learning that he's essentially in a prison created only for him. His journey of innocence to self-discovery to defiance to success is so complete and well-executed that I find myself cheering just like the viewers who watch the entire sequence with him. In addition, who else could deliver the line, "And if I don't see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night" with that winning, cheesy smile better than Jim?
I love this movie. It holds up to repeat viewings and truly stands the test of time. It's an intelligent movie that's also fun to watch. It's a little unfortunate that this is one of those films that isn't more appreciated, buried by the circumstances of its release and less widely regarded for whatever reason, but I'll continue to watch it because it means something to me, and that's as much as I could hope for in a film. I am glad I purchased this movie.