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The Truman Show

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The Truman Show
In Peter Weir’s thought provoking-film The Truman Show the viewer is enticed by the utopian Seahaven. Cinematography such as camera angles, music, lighting, editing and other techniques promote and reinforce the film’s central issues. Delving into the vehement desire of the human spirit to be free and the cunning manipulation of the media, the viewer is left exhilarated. Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), the protagonist, after living a sheltered life in Seahaven is struck by an epiphany. Realizing that his world is contrived he undergoes a treacherous journey in pursuit of truth and freedom. Truman’s choice to enter the real world rather than to continue living his perfect existence proves that the human spirit requires exposure to challenge and change in order to thrive and evolve.

The film begins with a close-up shot of Truman Burbank staring at himself in the mirror deliberating whether he will conquer a perilous journey. This focus on the protagonist highlights an evident yearning for freedom and his conclusion that he will succeed “broken legs and all” shows his determination to break free from his shackled existence. In a medium close up shot Meryl (Laura Linney), Truman’s wife, is discussing her role in the television phenomenon -The Truman Show. Her words: “Well for me there is no difference between a private life and a public life. My life is The Truman Show. The Truman Show is a lifestyle”- encompass the concept that television does not merely entertain but rather dominates the lives of millions. Moreover, the suggestion that mankind thrives on entertainment gives the media the ability to exploit emotion. Marlon (Noah Emmerich) states that the show is not fake but is merely controlled. A constantly controlled life certainly stunts Truman Burbank’s emotional growth but the strength of his spirit to be free ultimately overpowers this restriction. It is now the 10,909th episode of The Truman Show. Truman walks out of his home and is framed by two doorposts
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