The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir, is an American comedy drama film that was written by Andrew Niccol. It started off as a spec script, and was originally a science fiction thriller. The film was inspired by an episode of The
Twilight Zone called Special Service.The Truman Show conveys a story in which a man lives by the the rules of TV producers, directors and ratings.They have created a utopia in which Truman Bunker, played by Jim Carry, lives a public life and is filmed 24/7. In order to capture natural human behavior Truman was born into the show and does not have any knowledge of his global audience or the 5,000 cameras placed to film him. Christoff the producer of the Truman show played by Ed Harris manipulates Truman's life for public entertainment. When Truman turns 30 he begins to realize the fictitious reality of his life.
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Figure 1
The Truman Show is set in a giant Dome (figure 1), in the dome is an artificial island called Seahaven (figure 2) where Truman is broadcasted. The setting looks exactly like a counterfeit setting, with spotless streets and trim people who are always joyful. This is done so that it gives the setting a very Hollywood feel to further project that Truman is not in a real world.
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Figure 2
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The film uses an array of camera angles giving the appearance of an hidden cameras to really get across that Truman is unawareingly on a TV show such as figure 2 and 3 .These angles explain how Truman is filmed through everyday life and can be watched at any time and place.Other hidden camera angles in the movie include pencil sharpener, mirrors, on other characters clothing, dog collar etc.This camerawork fuses the line between reality and fiction because Truman fills the reality aspect of his show; his actions and thoughts are one of any one who proceeds a private life, however the rest of the show is completely fake. Truman later figures out about these cameras when he gets a sense of a much larger audience, than just the people that regularly appear in his life. Lastly this camera work is specific to the film due to its story line and helps to give an understanding to the audience that Truman is trapped and somewhat helpless in his pursuit for the truth.
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Truman's relationships are arranged and seem some what cold due to the actors apocryphal personalities His wife in figure 4 is constantly announcing products. The cinematography works as a commercial, because Truman being a televised show needs to market something like any other show, they do this through his wife, however her display of the product is one of a corny commercial and completely obvious, this allows to further push the unrealistic part of the show.
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Despite the creative story and the direct points for the audience, the film lacks in perspective from the outside world.We see some of the viewers of the Truman Show, but everyone seems to be fine that a man is held against his will for public entertainment, in figure 4 we see elderly women obsessed with the show and holding a Truman pillow . However a women named Sylvia, from Truman's high-school,an actress, but was later taken out of the show because producers not wanting Truman to fall in love due to his fondness of her, seems to be the only one who opposes of the show. Figure 5 shows the scene were the Sylvia is about to be taken away, it provides a romantic setting but gives eerie mood through a dark and empty beach to foreshadow her forced exist. With present day rights and freedom, we would think to find more defiance in running a series such as this. Instead we find the viewers content with the environment Truman is living in and for 30 years no one tries to protest this show.
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Truman proves to be an extremely likable character, in the beginning of the film he has somewhat of a cheesy, but fun personality. Though as the story progresses we do see another side of him as he starts to find his surroundings suspicious, he begins to develop what seem like insanity, however he is reaching closer to a truer existence. His personality alters to a more realistic human being and he becomes ill-humored,this adding the comedy to the film.In Figure 4 Truman somewhat knows that he is being watched so he pokes fun at it and draws him in an astronaut suit, this being filmed through a hidden camera and broadcasted.
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When Truman reveals the truth about his life, a heavenly mood is set through camerawork and lighting. After a brutal storm Truman finds the end of Seahaven, the scene then becomes bright and almost glowing. The scenery of the clouds are beautiful but also reflect Truman's artificial world. The existing of Truman is peaceful and almost sublime demonstrated through the calm waters and the cloud stairs he had reached. The music along with this scenery makes Truman's departure very emotional, and the producer pursues to make Truman stay and his voice is projected through the sky, giving him a godly feature, which mirrors his role in this film. He asks Truman to stay, but will he?He has lived in Seahaven for 30 years is he ready to just leave? He found discomfort in his fake life, but he is naive and innocent so will he finds that humanity is not is all smiles and cleanliness? This film is a classic and allows the audience to be held captive by Truman's journey. Many wonder why Jim Carry did not win an Oscar for this movie because is acting was amazing. In addition this film raises the question of how are media is run and what the entertainment industry is are willing to do.I give this movie 5 out of five stars,
