Truman

Critics Consensus

Well-written, well-acted, and patiently crafted, Truman takes an affecting look at a long friendship separated by distance but undimmed by time.

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Movie Info

Childhood friends Julián (Ricardo Darín) and Tomás (Javier Cámara) were once inseparable. Eventually, the two have lost sight of their friendship. While the divorced Julián remained in Spain where he has lived through the highs and lows of an acting career, the teacher Tomás emigrated to Canada, where he has built up a peaceful existence together with his job, his wife and his children. After a reunion one day in Madrid, their friendship survived once again, as if it had never fallen asleep. Together the two spend a few wonderful days in the city full of nostalgic memories and unforgettable experiences -knowing that this will probably be their last reunion because Julián has been diagnosed terminally ill with cancer.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Cesc Gay
Written By:

Tomás Aragay, Cesc Gay
In Theaters:

Apr 7, 2017 limited
Box Office:

$208,799
Studio:

FilmRise

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Cast

Ricardo Darín

Javier Cámara

Dolores Fonzi

Eduard Fernández

Alex Brendemühl

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Critic Reviews for Truman

All Critics (69) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (1)

Not your typical cancer drama anchored in grief, instead a clear-sighted journey that makes demands on one's emotions in the most unlikely ways.

Apr 21, 2017 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Scott Marks
San Diego Reader
Top Critic
There isn't a mawkish moment to be found, though there are plenty of lovely, humane ones, as well as some that are quite funny.

Apr 20, 2017 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Randy Cordova
Arizona Republic
Top Critic
It sounds paradoxical but, if done right, films about a life ending can be the most life-affirming films you'll see. "Truman," a great success in its native Spain, is definitely done right.

Apr 14, 2017 | Full Review…

Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic
Canine power is far from the only thing the film has got going for it. The actor, Julián, is played by the great Ricardo Darín, an Argentine star with a quick wit and a wry, buoyant presence.

Apr 13, 2017 | Full Review…

Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal
Top Critic
There are things in life and art that are simply so beautiful that they must be witnessed, and Darín's performance in "Truman" is one of those.

Apr 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic
"Truman" avoids preachiness as scrupulously as it evades certainty.

Apr 13, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post
Top Critic
The plot is simple and has one or two missteps towards the end, but the character development is fantastic, as are the two lead performances.

Apr 5, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Tom Bond
One Room With A View
Truman is a movie that looks at some of the saddest parts of life but never lets you lose the warmth of the feeling of friendship.

Oct 30, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Sean Mulvihill
FanboyNation.com
All I need to say...it has a really funny and satisfying ending.

Aug 22, 2018 | Full Review…

Charles Mudede
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
...Truman is stuck between realism and romanticism, and neither side works completely.

Jan 2, 2018 | Full Review…

Richard von Busack
Pacific Sun (San Rafael, CA)
It can move you by its decision not to punch emotional buttons as forcefully as a Hollywood film with the same plotline would.

Dec 29, 2017 | Full Review…

Steve Murray
ArtsATL
It is a tour de force for [Ricardo] Darin, who never disappoints. Cámara moves seamlessly from beat to beat, seeming to reluctantly follow Darin's every move, yet beating him to the next punch before Darin delivers it. A must-see!

Dec 18, 2017 | Full Review…

Toba Singer
culturevulture.net

View All Critic Reviews (69)

Audience Reviews for Truman

Aug 12, 2016

True man, true friend, love between friends - this film is about the best in people, and two men in particular. Truman is a great big dog, whose owner Julian is setting his affairs in order. Julian and his old friend Tomas who pays a last visit are straight hetero men, they love one another, show it and say so. The words "I love you" are freely spoken and accepted. But there are few histrionics in this story of a lonely man's final days. It weaves finely the emotions with the practicalities, realities with humour, Julian's marvellous luck in having a few loving people and a great friend, and Julian's bravery and fear. The topic of death is usually a wrench, but this instead is like a song full of loveliness; plus you learn some that's destined to come in useful, sooner or later. The pain is salved too by the soulful dog, first-class production and locations in Canada, Madrid and Amsterdam, a stylish sound track, and nice dark credits for drying any tears. It shows women in a somewhat less favourable light: must they be diminished, in brotherly love? Still, the film's questions are engaging: can we be more like these men without the end looming, and where will the soul like the dog find its home. A classic piece perfectly made, acted superbly, with a memorable screenplay, this will repay repeat viewings: there are a few drugs and a vigorous sex scene, otherwise you could have watched it with your smarter young teens, as well as the grown-ups. A polished gem about the inevitable: catch it while you can.

. . Super Reviewer