The Truman Show
Abuse of power is an issue in today’s society, following in history’s trend. In the film The Truman Show directed by Peter Weir the key idea of abuse of power is highlighted throughout the film. Weir displays this idea through camera shots, cross cutting and his effective use of dialogue.
Abuse of power is shown through the antagonist Christof by the way he abuses his power over employees. In the climax of the film Truman attempts to break free of the shackles of Seahaven by sailing away. However Christof does all he can to stop him, including demanding Lunar room employee Moses to capsize Truman’s vessel which would likely lead to his death. Weir uses a close up of Moses after he was told this which allows us to see that his eyes were wide and his brow furrowed from the shock of what he had just heard. This close up shows that Moses was clearly uncomfortable with performing such a task. This scene displays how Christof is a work place bully as he puts his employees in uncomfortable positions by asking them to perform unmoral tasks which go against their beliefs. Although sadly Christof is not alone as a workplace bully, as according to an online poll 15 percent of employees claim to have experienced work place bullying and more often than not nothing was done about it. This is because people are in a vulnerable position whilst at work because they understand the risk of losing their jobs if they do not comply, so often they compromise their morals to please their superior bosses. Weir wanted us to understand the importance of not giving up your morals, despite the possible consequences, although doing so is a problem in today’s society.
Weir displays how the viewers of the Truman Show are abusing their power by allowing the show to happen. His use of cross cutting from Seahaven to the show’s viewers allows us to see the show’s immense support. Cross cutting from Truman in the climatic storm scene to the viewers allows us to see the outrage they have and that
Abuse of power is shown through the antagonist Christof by the way he abuses his power over employees. In the climax of the film Truman attempts to break free of the shackles of Seahaven by sailing away. However Christof does all he can to stop him, including demanding Lunar room employee Moses to capsize Truman’s vessel which would likely lead to his death. Weir uses a close up of Moses after he was told this which allows us to see that his eyes were wide and his brow furrowed from the shock of what he had just heard. This close up shows that Moses was clearly uncomfortable with performing such a task. This scene displays how Christof is a work place bully as he puts his employees in uncomfortable positions by asking them to perform unmoral tasks which go against their beliefs. Although sadly Christof is not alone as a workplace bully, as according to an online poll 15 percent of employees claim to have experienced work place bullying and more often than not nothing was done about it. This is because people are in a vulnerable position whilst at work because they understand the risk of losing their jobs if they do not comply, so often they compromise their morals to please their superior bosses. Weir wanted us to understand the importance of not giving up your morals, despite the possible consequences, although doing so is a problem in today’s society.
Weir displays how the viewers of the Truman Show are abusing their power by allowing the show to happen. His use of cross cutting from Seahaven to the show’s viewers allows us to see the show’s immense support. Cross cutting from Truman in the climatic storm scene to the viewers allows us to see the outrage they have and that