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Imagine having your entire life filmed and exploited before a television audience. It is a possibility that is closely examined in Ed TV, a comedy drama flick directed by Ron Howard, which pairs the always-entertaining Matthew McConaughey with newcomer Jenna Elfman, star of TV's Dharma and Greg. McConaughey plays Ed, the 'everyman' video-store clerk who reluctantly allows a group of greedy televison producers to turn his ordinary, yet entertaining life into a soap opera. Sound familiar? Not to worry--McConaughey keeps the movie afloat on these previously charted waters, explored in last year's The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey. At first, Ed is content to bask in the glory of televison super-stardom, until the most difficult and intimate moments of his life are bared for all the world to see. There are a lot of laughs throughout these scenes, but eventually, Ed becomes more serious, and begins to consider how the glare of the spotlight has affected his parents, his womanizing brother (Woody Harrelson) and the love of his life (Elfman), who decides she must break up with Ed in order to salvage her privacy. When Ed finally decides to pull the plug on Ed TV, he discovers he has been bound by contract and must face the consequences of having turned his life and loved ones into entertainment for profit. Director Ron Howard, who essentially grew up on television himself, while starring in iconic classics like The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, clearly tries to depict the dark side of wealth and celebrity. But overall, this movie won't be remembered for its insight. The only lesson we can learn from Ed TV is to keep your hands out of your pants when the cameras are on. But not all movies have to be great, just fun to watch.
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