The Truman Show: Questioning Reality

Adam Zerihoun

What's going on? Is this real? Does my life have any meaning? These questions are all answered in the movie The Truman Show (1998), directed by Peter Weir, a true work of existentialism and the meaning of existence, choice, and life as we know it.T Truman Burbank, the main character, appears to be living a normal life, or so he believes. The truth is that his life is actually a live television show, called "The Truman Show" and every event in his life has been fixed by the creator of the show, Christof, who serves as a godlike figure. This film is filled with instances in which Truman's life shows obvious signs of being tampered with, preventing him from existing on his own and making his own choices. Christof even changes some of Truman's memories to prevent him from questioning his life and existence, all only for a profit. However Christof fails in his "godlike" duties in keeping Truman blissfully unaware of his true purpose in life.

Truman's suspicions are first aroused at the sight of his father. His father, who is really an actor, was presumed to have died when Truman was a child. However, when Truman reunites with his father, dressed as a homeless man, he begins to ask questions concerning his life for the first time. Choices are presented to Truman for the first time in his life and, at first, he is unsure how to process them. Truman has been so used to his life being predetermined, since it has been completely been controlled by his "god" Christof. For nearly 30 years, he has been completely unaware that his supposed family, friends, and wife (all actors in the show) have been lying to him. Truman's suspicions grow even larger as he begins to notice strange behaviors in his loved ones. He is completely unaware, as Christof has planned, that he is being brainwashed from trying to explore and escape his sheltered home of Seahaven. For the 30 years he has lived in his home, Truman has never been truly given any choices in life, as Christof has already predetermined every detail of how Truman's life will turn out. However, Truman's dreams and memories are the only thing that Christof has failed to completely control. While he fails to act on these dreams, Truman still has hopes of a better life which prevent him from being truly happy in this paradise that was built for him. The one memory of his that hints to the truth of his existence is his first meeting with Sylvia (Lauren in the show). Since Christof has determined who Truman's wife will be, he interferes with this meeting and, as a response, Sylvia attempts to reveal the truth to Truman. Because of these events, Truman harbors feelings of confusion and anger throughout his life concerning whether he is truly in control of his destiny.

At one point of the film, Truman eventually becomes convinced that something is wrong with his life. With the reappearance of his father and the lingering memory of the encounter with his first love Sylvia, Truman feels unsure whether he can trust anyone anymore. He begins to act rashly, nearly endangering his and his wife's lives by trying to escape in his car. In this instance, Truman does begin to make choices for himself, but his efforts are all for naught. What is different about these choices is that he is not in his right mind while he makes them. He is irrationally acting out his own frustrations from realizing that his whole world might be turning against him. Truman's decision to finally act on his dreams shows his growth as a character. However, his true growth is shown when he decides to act out his greatest dream, which he has been to escape and explore the rest of the world.

The issue of choice manifests itself to its fullest at the climactic ending of the movie, where Truman finally learns the truth about his life when trying to escape. Truman discovers that his world is completely false and when accepting defeat, he coincidentally finds the exit to this prison he has called home for 30 years. In the clip below, Truman is finally confronted by Christof (who in this clip, almost seems like a God himself) and is presented with the choice to either stay in this life, or go out into the real world. Christof attempts to persuade him to remain in his home, convincing him that he is more secure here than he ever would be out there, even if all that security is a complete lie. What makes this movie a true example of existentialist film is the fact that Truman finally decides for himself right at the end. By deciding to leave, Truman has broken free from the influence of Christof and has finally decided to make his own choices in life. Truman finally becomes the master of his own destiny by saying one simple line: "In case I don't see you... good afternoon, good evening, and good night". His choice to finally escape the prison he has called his life is indicative of the evolution of his character. The Truman Show shows how a character can grow and evolve to making choices on his own from a sheltered and controlled life and for Truman Burbank, he is able to finally realize his purpose in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o5APFI6kH0