Great movie, very interesting subject matter, very thought provoking

Rating: 8/10 (12 September 2016)

The Truman Show is a perfect example of how an unusual topic can still make for a successful movie. Most popular 'blockbuster' type movies use generic plots about a bad guy who is stopped by a good guy, and these movies rarely address complex issues that permeate our society. The Truman Show, on the other hand, uses satirical techniques to make a powerful statement about the state of today's media on the whole.
Throughout the movie, several examples are given to allude to the fact that Truman's entire life has all been manufactured for the entertainment of a worldwide audience, like the repetition that is seen across the movie, from beginning to end. Scenes from the beginning of the movie are repeated, almost shot for shot later in the film, and this really gives the viewer a sense of how synthetic the world he lives in is. Additionally, one line manages to find it's way into several key moments in the plot, with each delivery providing more and more meaning behind it as both the viewer and Truman gradually discover the truth. This sense of discovery that is felt as the conspiracy that has been hidden from Truman falls apart around him is, personally, an extremely interesting subject, and this aspect of the film may possibly be one of my favorite parts.
In addition to the artificiality of the world that is seen, the idea that corporations can be considered people is explored as well. Christof casually mentions that The Truman Show was the first instance of a corporation legally adopting a child. Christof greatly understates the significance of that event, brushing it off as a mere byproduct of creating such a show.
Lastly, the film is able to tie it all together with a questioning of the ethicality of the show. Be warned, however, this paragraph will contain spoilers for the final act of the movie. As Truman is sailing away from Seahaven, Christof demands that a great storm be created to stop Truman from discovering the truth. When he is questioned by the network executives, fearing that Christof might kill Truman, he justifies his actions by stating "He was born in front of a live audience," implying that it's no different to let him die in front of a live audience. This shows us how Christof really sees Truman, as nothing more than part of the machine that is the Truman Show. Truman may be an important part of that machine, but the point is, Christof barely even considers that Truman is a human too.
There are few movies like The Truman Show. Very rarely do movies really take the jump needed to kickstart the discussion on complex issues, but this movie was willing to do so. For this reason, The Truman Show is one of the most profound movies to achieve mainstream success in recent memory. Are there flaws, of course, but the overall meaning transcends the movie, which is why I give The Truman Show an 8/10.