And everyman of modern times

Rating: 5/10 (21 February 2008)

Truman Burbank (Jim Carey) is the most famous person in the world and he doesn't even know it. He was raised being filmed around the clock and the star of a reality viewed all over the world. The simulated reality television show  ironically called The Truman Show exists inside an enormous dome with simulated weather and its own ocean, completed with over 5,000 cameras.
Following some strange occurrences, Truman starts to think that he is being watched. Little does he know that he is soon to find out that his whole life has been broad-casted globally.
Truman Burbank is a normal man, with a normal wife, a normal job. He has a normal life. At least that is what it seems. Truman fear of water stops him from ever leaving the perfect little town of Seahaven, or to see the woman he really loves. Lauren (Natascha McElhone) is Truman's high school friend/girlfriend. She knew about the Truman Show and tried to tell him about it. She was taken away. The creator of this simulated reality TV show, Christof (Ed Harris) controls all aspects of Truman's life in Seahaven, like whom he meets, what he does, and everything in the dome. Christof's antics are a little bit unpredictable. You don't know if his actions are trying to help or ruin Truman.
The film is set in two time zones. The outside world is set in modern times, and in the dome is set to seem like it is from the 50's era. This movie includes flashback of when Truman is a child, including when is father 'died' causing his phobia of water.
Starting of as a comedy, it is soon realized that this movie has a deeper meaning. One example is when Truman looks like he is walking across water to a door that opens into a black space. The director (Peter Weir) seems to be trying to show an example of Nirvana. He uses different angles and Mise En Scène so it feels like you are watching The Truman Show and not a movie. Peter Wier has used the art of cinematography well in this movie.
The audience that watched the Truman Show are a group of people who wanted to be entertained no matter what the consequence to Truman. It reminds us of soaps, paparazzi, and how we like to know about celebrities, and overall how the product could be the death of someone like Truman Burbank.