"We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented."
What is the ultimate reality television show? What if the characters do not realize they are on television (or that their world is not real)? Striving to create the "ultimate" reality experience, "The Truman Show" has been taping the life of Truman Burbank (Carrey) since he was born. The "world" he lives in has over 5,000 cameras: household appliances, his car radio (and the backseat of the car), and the buttons of his costars. Truman lives life in a 50's style sitcom (like "Leave it to Beaver" or "I Love Lucy"). Everyday he greets his neighbors "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!" and drives to town to work in his office. Everyone in his life is an actor...including his parents and wife. The whole town is scheduled to interact with Truman at the same times each day, the traffic and interactions are planned so the director/creator of the show, Christof (Harris) can control Truman's life.
In a live interview Christof claims that if Truman wanted to leave they would not be able to stop him, but everything about the show is programmed to keep Truman in. He is afraid of water (as a boy he was in a boat during a storm and lost his father), and tends to believe the various complications that keep him on the island. Trying to keep Truman in-line is his wife, Meryl (Linney) who claims to be a nurse and advertises the products they use (like a commercial), his best friend Marlon (Emmerich) who stocks vending machines and claims he would never lie to Truman (even though these lines are told to him by Christof as he delivers them), and his manipulative mother (Taylor) who makes Truman feel guilty. The only person who truly cares for Truman is Sylvia (McElhone) a former extra from the show who fell in love with Truman (and vice-versa). Sylvia's show name was Lauren, and she was not supposed to interrupt the plan to have Meryl become Truman's wife, and is kicked off the show after trying to explain the truth to Truman.
As Truman begins looking at his world, he notices strange things...such as one of the lighting fixtures which falls from the sky, and begins to discover the truth. Will he ever escape? And moreover should he? Intercut with the show are the people watching the film...people who leave the television on all night and watch Truman sleep, have paraphernalia from the show, and schedule their lives around Truman's schedule (there's also a Truman's Bar). As the most recognizable face should he be able to leave the show?
The film asks, "what if?" and provides a commentary on real life. And with reality television become more popular, should we have shows like Truman's? We have the technology to do so, but should we?
Dude it's quotable: it's not the typical comedy Carrey is known to do, but he proves why recent films have cast in dramatic roles...there are some classic lines and funny moments
Rent it multiple times: you definetly won't catch everything the first time through...I own the film and I still find new things to talk about!
In a live interview Christof claims that if Truman wanted to leave they would not be able to stop him, but everything about the show is programmed to keep Truman in. He is afraid of water (as a boy he was in a boat during a storm and lost his father), and tends to believe the various complications that keep him on the island. Trying to keep Truman in-line is his wife, Meryl (Linney) who claims to be a nurse and advertises the products they use (like a commercial), his best friend Marlon (Emmerich) who stocks vending machines and claims he would never lie to Truman (even though these lines are told to him by Christof as he delivers them), and his manipulative mother (Taylor) who makes Truman feel guilty. The only person who truly cares for Truman is Sylvia (McElhone) a former extra from the show who fell in love with Truman (and vice-versa). Sylvia's show name was Lauren, and she was not supposed to interrupt the plan to have Meryl become Truman's wife, and is kicked off the show after trying to explain the truth to Truman.
As Truman begins looking at his world, he notices strange things...such as one of the lighting fixtures which falls from the sky, and begins to discover the truth. Will he ever escape? And moreover should he? Intercut with the show are the people watching the film...people who leave the television on all night and watch Truman sleep, have paraphernalia from the show, and schedule their lives around Truman's schedule (there's also a Truman's Bar). As the most recognizable face should he be able to leave the show?
The film asks, "what if?" and provides a commentary on real life. And with reality television become more popular, should we have shows like Truman's? We have the technology to do so, but should we?
Dude it's quotable: it's not the typical comedy Carrey is known to do, but he proves why recent films have cast in dramatic roles...there are some classic lines and funny moments
Rent it multiple times: you definetly won't catch everything the first time through...I own the film and I still find new things to talk about!
Rating: PG for thematic elements & mild language
Director: Peter Weir
Starring: Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank
Laura Linney as Meryl Burbank
Noah Emmerich as Marlon
Natascha McElhone as Lauren/Sylvia
Holland Taylor as Truman's mother
Ed Harris as Christof
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