By Shania Sanchez – Staff Reporter

“The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey as Truman was released in 1998 as a psychological, comedic drama directed by Peter Weir and written/co-produced by Andrew Niccol. Although the original script was more of a science fiction thriller, it was purchased and changed by producer Scott Rudin and production was set up at Paramount Pictures. After these changes, Niccol rewrote the script and they waited for Carrey to sign.

The movie was a huge success and grossed $264 million worldwide. The movie received high praise, so much so that it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. When watchers dug deeper and really analyzed the movie, some of the themes that showed up were existentialism, dystopian fiction, and psychological drama. Everything in the movie was meticulously planned, even the name of the show inside the movie’s director’s name. Christof’s name was a play on the word “Christ” since he is who plays God with Truman’s life, believing he is doing this for the good of Truman. The movie was mind-blowing for viewers, and of course, for Truman. 

The movie follows Truman Burbank, a baby who was an unwanted pregnancy who had been given up to star in a new project, a reality television show made by Christof (the director of “The Truman Show”) that would be programmed to film and broadcast worldwide, every second, everyday. Every section of Truman’s life is controlled, from those around him to the choices he believes are “his”. The fictional town is said to be monitored by 5,000 hidden cameras. The cameras were literally everywhere. As those watching the movie get these insane views because of it, it seems like they are also watching the show itself, instead of watching “The Truman Show.” Truman is living the most mundane life ever, but he’s “happy” or so he thinks. Too many oddities begin to occur and Truman gets nervous and starts to pick up on these odd inconsistencies in his everyday life. It all starts when he witnesses a stage light fall from the sky, then an isolated patch of rain just on him, and it all snowballs into him becoming aware of something being up. He begins to think that the island is revolving around him, and asks those around him for help, but they are only there to keep him from the truth. Truman becomes wildly paranoid but of course there’s only so much the human mind can take before it goes crazy.

“The Truman Show” was a masterpiece as the actors were acting in a show inside of the movie they were acting in. The plot twists were crazy, too; it kept people wondering how the movie would end. The movie gave so many iconic quotes as Truman spiraled, that watchers can see why people inside the movie were so enraptured with Truman and his life. “The Truman Show” itself, starts with Truman always saying “Good morning, oh and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”  It’s even the ending line.

All in all, Jim Carrey did a phenomenal job. The excuses used to keep Truman in his little monitored world were insane – Christof never feeling remorse or guilt and when asked why Truman never figured it out he’d say things like, “We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented. It’s as simple as that.” There were many memorable comedic lines like “Somebody help me, I’m being spontaneous!” and “[observes Sylvia wearing a pin reading “How’s it going to end?”] I like your pin. I was wondering that myself.” The pin saying “how’s it going to end” refers to the show, but of course Truman doesn’t know that which in its own little twisted way is a bit comical. 

“The Truman Show” didn’t face many critics, except that the trailers potentially spoil the ending. There were also debates about the movie having a religious meaning due to the names used and the way Christof was playing God. Many people also spoke about how it wasn’t exactly logical for them to continue the show if Truman were to find out, but then again, the movie’s popularity let those comments slide. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars