The Truman Show (1998)

Great concept, especially for pre-reality TV times: a guy's life is broadcast as entertainment 24/7 without his knowledge. The town is like a 1950s idea of bliss as presented in an amusement park attraction. Everything's clean, everyone's content, there's no reason to change anything.

But a concept is not enough -- there has to be some depth. I never felt like I knew any of the characters, least of all Truman. For example, when he "escapes" from his room by fooling the cameras, we are in the position of the watchers rather than Truman -- we see his deception when everyone else does. Why? Aren't we supposed to identify with him? Why not let us escape with him, hoping to get away with it but feeling the "hurry up!!" nervousness that he will be discovered?

Also, it's certainly not easy to identify with a man who has literally never left his bubble. I get that he was manipulated his whole life, but he is aware of the outside world and has a great desire to be in it -- what man wouldn't try to get there? At least do it "The Village"-style and lie to him about what's "out there." Make it monsters. Make it nothing. It doesn't matter as long as I believe that, in his shoes, I'd stay put too. As written, it's ridiculous that he's never left. Also ridiculous? That we have no idea what happens to him once he leaves the bubble. What about money? A job? A place to stay? It seems he has no family and no experience that could help him out there. At least give us a "he's OK" montage over the credits. 

C