The Truman Show – Materialistic (Recommendation)

Year: 1998

Director: Peter Weir

Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Natascha McElhone, Noah Emmerich, Holland Taylor, Peter Krause, Paul Giamatti, Drian Delate

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loTIzXAS7v4  

 

 

Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) is the unknowing star of the global phenomenon that is The Truman Show, a TV series that has followed him from the womb to present day, documenting his every move, live for the world to see. Truman’s life has always been dictated to him, through hidden cameras and choreographed scenarios. Eventually the veneer covering his life starts to fade, and Truman realises that his world may be smaller than he ever imagined.

 

The concept of The Truman Show is that it is aired 24/7, with the objective of bringing joy and happiness to its global viewers. However, the true purpose appears a lot less altruistic. Due to the lack of add breaks, the cast are made to use product placement and awkward script deliveries as a means of promoting purchasable goods, from coco powder to lawnmowers. These awkward moments of advertisement are overtly telling us how easy it is to become drawn into the consumerist market, especially when it is revealed by creator Christof (Ed Harris), that “Everything on the show is for sale,” creating a revenue that reflects the “gross national product of a small country.”

 

Every person, bar his true love Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), has entered Truman’s life with a disingenuous agenda, from his adoring wife Meryl (Laura Linney) to his best friend Marlon (Noah Emmerich). Both lied and manipulated Truman; and all for their careers and a pay check. Every artificial line highlights that Truman’s only genuine relationship had been with Sylvia, during their half hour interaction before she was thrown off of the show.

 

Personally, I would suggest that The Truman Show could be a large metaphor for capitalist culture; as we become immersed into the ethos of having to buy the latest gadgets and products, we lose sight of the important things in life. Additionally, I’d say that Seahaven (the town) is reflective of how we see material goods; they both look polished and perfect on the outside. However, over time they break as they aren’t sustainable forever. In the end, The Truman Show teaching us not to be drawn in by the ploys of big corporations, as you become captive to their schemes.

 

The only thing left to say now is – “Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”