Stunning, compelling and (honestly) scarily possible film about Predestination

Rating: Null/10 (8 January 1999)

The Truman Show is a work of Genius. Peter Weir deserved every accolade you can throw at him, and should win best Director for this film. (He won't, though. Stever Spielberg will grab it for the much over-hyped 'Saving Private Ryan')
Technical stuff: Jim Carrey is a perfect Truman Burbank. Others could have played him just as well, but Jim Carrey was spectacular, and should not be penalised for not conforming to the roles the public wants him in.
Ed Harris is unbelievable as Christof and deserves an Oscar Nomination.
The story is scarily possible. All that's needed is that the government legalise a corporation adopting a child. From there, very, very few laws would be broken. The only possible one I can see is Illegal Arrest. We can assume they managed to beat that one once early on, and from then on simply refered to the precedent. Otherwise, all the technology exists. And if the ratings are as good as the film claims, it'd probably be profitable.
Now the meaty stuff.
This film, at its core, is not about human mentality, or about the morality of captive lives. It is about Predestination. Truman is the Job or Peter figure of the story, a 'true man' among a sea of false men. Christof, (whose name clearly derives from Christ) is a powerful God figure, deliberately written as on a God kick. And why not? This is his world, with his perfect script in action. To him, when Truman's old 'father' tries to come back into the show, it's not just a rebellion. It's sin.
The question, ultimately asked, is this: "If you know the way your life will progress, and can't change it, but it is a happy path, will you accept it, or attempt to take the reins of your life back into your hands?"
Truman Burbank is told, ever so subtly, 'Shut up, and we'll get you the best life you could ever have.' When his mariage breaks down, a new wife is conveniently found, because he's behaving to plan. When he misbehaves, he's quietly shown back to his house.
And yet he keeps persisting, now certain that something lies beyond his life, and that somehow, that something else is better. The final confrontation, deliberately cast with biblical overtones, emphasises this point. And when Truman passes even this test, with his life in the balance, Christof talks to Truman with infitite pride and love. This is his son.
And, as we learn, a prodigal son.