A story full of Christ symbols.

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2005)

The first time I watched "The Truman Show" when it came out in 1998 I was impressed with the story, a delightful Science Fiction tale, and with the acting, the movie proving that Jim Carrey could do more on the big screen than talk through his butt. When I revisited this film 5 or 6 years later, I was even more impressed. For one thing, this story has proved very prophetic. How many reality shows dominate the TV today? It also has many allegorical layers that I missed the first time. I think 5 years ago I had a sense of some attempt at symbolism in "The Truman Show"; the Ed Harris character is CHRISTos, he's the creator and he's up above over seeing everything. However, the more I watch it, I see Truman Burbank as a Christ figure also: a man singled out, sacrificing his life for the sake of others, a man who knows he does not belong in this world, a man who ascends to his true home at the end of the story in fine "resurrection" style. There's even a scene where he appears to be walking on water. Again, it's an entertaining story on the surface level but like Truman himself I hope the viewers can rise above the surface and see a new world.