TIFF Review: Tragicomic 'Truman' Starring Ricardo Darin Tackles Familiar Subject With Maturity & Honesty

First things first, this is not a prequel to “Capote.” “Truman” is one of those morbidly tragicomical dramas about a character coming to terms with their imminent death, usually thanks to cancer, and struggling to make amends with people they’ve hurt while tying up loose ends before they kick the bucket. These films are so commonplace, especially within the realm of American indies or mid-budget European dramas, that it’s hard to get through almost any film festival without bumping into one of them. Hence the inclusion of “Truman” in this year’s TIFF.

That being said, “Truman” almost makes itself more distinguishable amongst its many peers thanks to a unique narrative approach to a story we’ve seen a million times before. I say almost, because the film abandons this approach after the first act or so in favor of an episodic and haphazard example of a predictable “last days of cancer” drama. The story focuses on two lifelong friends, the impulsive and semi-narcissistic actor...