The Truman Show

            This movie is the first feature with Jim Carrey that has any serious side to it at all. It showcases a man whose entire, life from birth until the present moment when he is 30 years old, married, and working in the life insurance business, has been secretly televised. It is the biggest show in the history of television, obviously. It’s a really fascinating concept, and establishes a lot of interesting themes.

            Truman (Carrey) begins his days the same, greeting the neighbors, going to the newsstand, going to work, and kicking back a cold one with his best friend Marlin. It’s interesting because Truman begins to finally see through the setting, and the people. A series of mistakes clues him in, and he quickly becomes a manic delusional paranoid. With due cause, naturally. Not only does he discover his wife doesn’t love him, his father didn’t really die, and the entire town is fake, but he soon overcomes the imposed limits of the town, and ventures beyond his normal day by day routine.

            We also meet the shows creator, Cristoph, played by Ed Harris. A man with an obvious God complex, in our only direct dialogue with Cristoph, the theme and thesis of the film are stated quite clearly. It is a very interesting exploration of perceived reality, and the what makes a person human, particularly in relation to the world.

            It is of course, Trumans hidden desires, which are linked to a forgotten tryst known only as Sylvia. She of course was a mere extra, who caught Truman’s eye and was immediately barred from the show. She then headed up the “free Truman” campaign. Truman finally comes to grip with his fears and limitations and goes on to discover the nature of his dogma, and despite the assurity of Cristoph, who looks on Truman as his own son, Truman has nothing to do with him, and it is clear that the treatment of one man is not right. Truman chooses the real world over his plastic dream world.

            Another not-so-subtle plot device is the spectator mentality of the American populace. People watch Truman 24-7, and are living entirely vicariously through him. He dominates the airwaves, and thus dominates culture. It is an obvious reflection of our Roman circus desires. That we will sit in the Coliseum and watch whatever it is in the middle, as lon as it will deliver us from our daily responsibilities. Even in sitting and watching the movie, it makes you wonder how much you resemble the viewers of the Truman Show. A true masterpiece and very thought provoking. Easily a 2.