Across his over 30-year career, Jim Carrey has done very few film sequels and has even The Truman Show being a perfect example of why his rule exists. Carrey is best known for his comedic work, having started out in television on In Living Color, a sketch comedy series that also helped launch the careers of Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Greer, and more. Carrey solidified his status as a comedy movie star in 1994 with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which led to him starring in the more dramatic classic and arguably his best work, 1998’s The Truman Show.
The Truman Show stars Carrey as Truman Burbank, an ordinary man who unknowingly grew up as the star of a reality television show in the artificial world of Seaheaven Island. Where Truman thinks he’s just living an ordinary life, the show’s creator, Christof (Ed Harris), created and elaborate set filled with actors which allowed him to have almost full control of his star. There are plenty of comedic elements to Carrey’s performance as Truman, but it’s his dramatic work and The Truman Show’s ending that truly make it a highlight of his long, storied career.
The Truman Show 2 Would Have Ruined Jim Carrey's Greatest 10 Minutes
There has never been The Truman 2 or a sequel of any kind, and if there had been, it more than likely would have ruined the greatest 10 minutes in all of Carrey’s celebrated filmography. Today, sequels, spinoffs, and franchises are perhaps more popular than they ever have been, regardless of whether it diminishes their quality. When a film becomes a success, a typical immediate reaction is that there should be a sequel, but Carrey has made it a point to avoid this, not even appealing in sequels of some of his biggest films. This rule has done wonders for the legacy of Carrey and The Truman Show.
The ending of The Truman Show sees Truman finally learning the truth about the television show and making the decision to leave Seaheaven Island against the wishes of Christof. It’s an extremely powerful and emotional moment in both The Truman Show and Carrey’s career as an actor. Despite not receiving an Academy Award nomination for his brilliant performance, Carrey won a Golden Globe for The Truman Show, likely clinched through the amazing final scene. If there had been a sequel, it would have ruined the film’s perfect ending, and it would have been nearly impossible to live up to the lauded original.
What Makes Jim Carrey's Performance In The Truman Show's Ending So Good
There is very little dialogue from Carrey in The Truman Show’s ending. Yet, with just his facial expressions, body language, and a few lines, Carrey perfectly encapsulates Truman’s reaction and the decision he makes internally to leave the show and the life he’s known behind. There’s great suspense as he stands in front of the door, his back to the camera, before he finally says his catchphrase, “In case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight,” bows, and leaves.
This now-famous line is first endearingly and jokingly delivered by Truman at the beginning of The Truman Show to his neighbors, as he did daily, unaware of the large audience watching. he says at the end of The Truman Show, it’s the first time he’s knowingly performing for the camera. All at once, it’s a brilliant acknowledgment of and a signoff to the audience as well as a farewell to the Truman everyone once knew as he decides to start a new, real life for himself. This final moment is uplifted by Carrey’s physicality and tone, which has always been one of his greatest strengths as an actor.
