Do you ever just want to stay in your seat when the movie is over? To sit with your feelings for a few more moments, undisturbed?
I'm still not sure exactly how I feel about Truman, but it affected me deeply. This extraordinarily touching film is the story of two reuniting friends Julián (Ricardo Darin) with his dog Truman, and Tomás (Javier Camaraand) who haven't seen each other in some time. The film builds slowly. At the same time that we are softly unravelling the scenario and understanding the reason for the unexpected visit, the duo settle back in to the kind of unspoken bond and deep acceptance that defines true friendship.
Death, dying. It's a difficult subject and in Truman writers Gay and Tomàs Aragay meander through a sensitive and natural exploration of a diversity of emotions and reactions that dying and grief can bring.
Gently tinged with occasional guitar, the dialogues are supported by space and subtle expressiveness from a tiny wince of the eye, turn of the mouth, clearing of the throat, that takes us within the emotions of these characters we gradually come to love and care for.
And so I sat there. Aching for these screen actors, eyes welled with tears, a weight a little heavy on my shoulders, both rejoicing in friendship yet grieving with them, after four days at their parting, the last to leave the cinema.
Official Selection 2015 Toronto, and London International Film Festivals, Winner 2015 San Sebastian International Film Best Actors, and as Winner of the 2016 Goya Awards Winner Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Screenplay presented in the location of the film's setting Madrid, Truman from director Cesc Gay is the most successful film of the year in its home nation. Ricardo Darin is the undisputed star of Truman, showing us the best of what screen acting can be, with every nuance in character and plot delivered so naturally that we can forget we are watching a movie. You want to love him. He is ably supported in the pivotal role by Javier Camaraand, and faithful dog Truman. Camaraand provides as much in his silence at times as in his words.
Beyond these stars Dolores Fonzi ably portrays another side of grieving. There are other moments of brilliance in acting too, from the understated ex-wife Gloria (Elivira Minguez) and the over zealous funeral salesman (Javier Gutiérrez Álvarez). In fact each role in Truman, no matter how large or small fits the jigsaw puzzle so perfectly that you forget about the pieces and it just becomes one work of art.
Still, even with an outstanding script that bridges drama and comedy, and such superb delivery and direction, depending on your place in life, this film and its subject about preparing to die (even wrapped in the guise of a story about friendship) may be more approachable for some than for others.
Truman screens at Palace Cinemas from Thursday August 11th.
