Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

EDtv Blu-ray Movie Review

HisTube.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 22, 2017

EDtv may share a common theme with the commonly perceived-to-be-superior The Truman Show, but the films take different approaches to their depictions of 24/7 voyeurism. In The Truman Show, Jim Carey's character has no idea that he's under surveillance, that an artificial life with artificial boundaries has been carefully constructed around him since his birth. In EDtv, Matthew McConaughey's character unwittingly auditions for a reality television show and is always aware that his daily actions and life's dramas are being captured on video, and usually from multiple angles. Both films were unquestionably ahead of their time, beating the reality television surge of the 21st century and certainly getting out in front of today's instant celebrity world where everyone has a camera and anyone can publish their comings and goings for the world to watch on a number of different platforms. EDtv is more a popcorn movie to Truman's more humorously thought-provoking and slyly dark approach. Both are viable in their own right, with this film lighter and more straightforward but, perhaps, a little more broadly accessible, too.

TrueTV Producer Cynthia (Ellen DeGeneres) and her boss Mr. Whitaker (Rob Reiner) hatch a plan to save their fledgeling network by airing a live program that will follow one individual 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Auditions are being held everywhere, and Ray Pekurny (Woody Harrelson) is determined to get the gig and use the money he'd make to open a new state-of-the-art gym. But when he pulls his brother Ed (Matthew McConaughey) in front of the camera, it is he who the network decides to interview for the part. He lands the gig. The show begins slowly. He works a mundane job at a video rental store and clips his toenails, but things get interesting when he visits Ray and the world learns he's cheating on his girlfriend Shari (Jenna Elfman). That relationship ends on live television, but a new one begins when Ed and Shari reveal their true feelings for one another. Can their new romance survive intense media scrutiny, or will a more television savvy girl, such as one particularly sultry woman named Jill (Elizabeth Hurley), steal Ed and steal the spotlight instead?

EDtv lacks the ingenuity of The Truman Show, not to mention its almost dreamlike and, sometimes, nightmarish qualities. This is more raw and real, not only because the characters are aware, but because there's nothing phony about their lives. Some of the characters in EDtv play to the camera, but in its most intensive character scenes, the in-movie cameras all but melt away in favor of the moment's emotion, and it's that sudden realization that those intimate scenes are being viewed by millions where the movie cranks out added drama as well as a few added laughs. That added dynamic of awareness, both generally speaking and as it breaks up intimacy and authenticity beyond the routine, is what sets this film apart, gives it that edge and purpose. It's also an interesting take on celebrity culture. Ed's celebrity grows from small crowds to throngs of fans and millions of viewers eager to discover whether he'll sleep with Jill, for example, and his love life with Shari is often influenced by public polling. The movie is at its most interestingly best not necessarily when the private becomes public, but when the public influences and comments on the private. The movie offers no shortage of cutaway scenes to fans -- some couples, a dorm full of college girls, a trio of chefs -- who all offer their own perspective on things, who are essentially clusters of a chorus. Additionally, several celebrities -- Michael Moore, Jay Leno, Arianna Huffington -- are sprinkled throughout, commenting about Ed's life and its depiction on TV on unrelated television news/talk programs.

Director Ron Howard's film comes packed with an A-list cast. Matthew McConaughey is charming in the lead and is more than capable of carrying the film through its various ebbs and flows, whether humor, romance, or drama. His is a multifaceted part, influenced left and right by his family, his love interests, the cameras, his fans, and the understanding that his celebrity grows much larger than he could have ever imagined. Woody Harrelson's part may be the most interesting; though it was his dream to appear on the show, he lost the role to his brother and only seems to lose for the duration. He's exposed as a bad person and even, once, a bad lover on live TV, forcing him into damage control for much of the movie. Jenna Elfman portrays the aw-shucks love interest who must not only battle the awkwardness of dating her ex's brother but her man's celebrity status and all of the temptations that come with it, never mind the complete absence of privacy. Elizabeth Hurley shines as the sultry spotlight thief. The film sees additional fine performances from a bevy of stars like Dennis Hopper, Ellen DeGeneres, Clint Howard, and Martin Landau.

EDtv Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

EDtv doesn't look particularly good on HDTV. Universal's 1080p Blu-ray presentation sees the movie benefit from the basic uptick in resolution the format affords, offering a more stable and detailed image over DVD, but it's not at all attractive. Grain often appears frozen in place. The image further appears soft, jagged at times, and one will often feel like they're watching the movie through a fine layer of meshing. Detail and sharpness clearly suffer. A few scenes reveal almost-honest complexity and organic neutrality but mostly this is a soft, dull picture which also translates to its assortment of bland colors. The palette appears worn down and lacking any sort of tangible vibrancy. Speckles and debris are mild but common. Black levels are not ideal. At least it's not hopelessly smoothed over and plastic-textured like some of Universal's most notoriously bad catalogue transfers, but it's a disappointing release and an unpleasant viewing experience.

EDtv Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

EDtv's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack offers a satisfying sonic attack that makes good, regular use of every speaker at its disposal. A TV promo at film's start bombards the stage with activity flowing from every speaker. Big depth and positive reverberation define the scene. Barroom atmospherics filter into the back and underneath dialogue. Rolling thunder and falling rain pleasantly accent a key scene. Cheering crowds draw the listener into the masses. Of course, clarity isn't precise and lifelike, but it's close enough, and the sheer level of activity is certainly enjoyable. Music plays with adequate width and detail. Dialogue drives most of the movie, and it's presented without problem in terms of clarity, positioning, and prioritization.

EDtv Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

EDtv contains several vintage supplements. No top menu is included. All extras must be accessed in-film via the pop-up menu.

• Caught in the Camera's Eye: The Making of EDtv (480i, 31:24): A detailed behind-the-scenes piece that explores story, project origins and production history, cast and characters, and more.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 40:45 total runtime): A collection of scenes with a brief introduction by Director Ron Howard.
• Outtakes (480i, 7:55): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• Theatrical Trailer (480i, 2:49).
• Audio Commentary: With Director Ron Howard.
• Audio Commentary: With Writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel.

EDtv Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

EDtv is certainly not as "good" as The Truman Show in terms of dramatic construction and thematic purpose, but it's a fun film in its own right and in its similar, yet in many ways very disparate, approach. It's lighter fare to be sure, more grounded, more in-the-moment. It also boasts a fine cast and quality direction from veteran Ron Howard. Universal's Blu-ray does contain plenty of vintage supplements and a quality audio track, but video is less than ideal, to be polite. It's hard to recommend for that reason.