Truman Show
Jim Carrey, main actor of the "Truman Show" is known for comedies like
"The Mask", "Dumb and Dumber" or the "Cable Guy". He is famous for weird, but
funny mimics. This is now his first serious role.
The film deals
with a 24h show about the life of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), filmed without
his knowledge. From his birth on he has been filmed. He lives in a huge studio,
a dome on the hills of Hollywood. It is equipped with every means of technology
to maintain the impression of a real city. Truman was psychologically
manipulated in his youth: he lost his father during a sailing cruise, so he
developed a phobia against water - it was planned in order to make him stay on
the island where the artificial city is situated. He is married to Meryl, his
job is insurance agent. He lived his live in the dome for about thirty years
and never wondered about some strange happenings on the island because he did
not knew it better. One day, he falls in love with another girl, who tries to
tell him about the circumstances of his life. He does not know what she is
talking about first, but slowly but sure he finds out the truth. The actor for
the role of his father attempts to tell him the truth, too. A little later, he
is re-integrated in the show to avoid Truman suspecting anything. But Truman
suspects - a flashlight falls from the ceiling, his new love is "removed" from
him, he suddenly recognizes the product placement when his wife advertises
coffee to the TV - audience: he simply wonders to whom she is talking to. He
begins to split with his wife and decides to get off the island. He is now
absolutely sure that something is wrong: for example he watches a couple, a
biker and a car going round a house every five minutes. He begins to act
strange, abnormal to his daily rhythm of life. One day he manages to escape the
5000 cameras installed everywhere on the island, overcomes his phobia against
water and leaves the city via sea with his sailing boat. The crew of the show
tries to make him return with simulated awful "weather", but he does not give
up and finally reaches the border of the dome. He decides to leave it, though
the creator of the show tries to persuade him to stay. He leaves and starts a
new life in the "real" world.
Advantages of the dome: Truman
lived a protected life without any crimes, pollution or other problems like
drugs. He reached all he wanted in his life.
Disadvantages of the dome: It
is no real life, Truman is kind of a slave for Cristof, the show's creator, he
is deprived of an emotional life, and he has no free will.
