Jim Carrey in The Truman Show
Themester intern Imari Walker looks at how The Truman Show wrestles with ideas of authenticity and reality. Spoilers ahead for the film!
Released in 1998, Peter Weir’s The Truman Show follows the life of Truman Burbank on Seahaven Island, a seemingly perfect little town. The only catch: everyone is an actor, and everything is perfectly staged. Everything but Truman. He is the unknowing star of this absurd reality show. People from all around the world watch Truman thanks to the cameras hidden everywhere from the ring his father gave him to the dashboard of his car. They are all drawn to the genuineness of Truman.
The film subtly shows the viewer the true nature of Truman’s world. Carefully framed shots evoke the restricted lens of a camera.
The film presents the juxtapositions of truth and lies, which is why it is a part of Themester’s focus this year, Lux et Veritas (Light and Truth). Unknowingly trapped in this fake reality for 30 years, Truman is the only true part of his world. While Truman’s reactions and life are real, they are both influenced by carefully controlled events arranged by Christof, creator of The Truman Show.
Christof orchestrates the death of Truman’s father at sea in an accident that gives Truman thalassophobia. This trauma serves the double purpose of deterring Truman from ever leaving Seahaven Island and providing a fear that the audience can hopefully watch Truman try to overcome. This plan backfires as the man playing Truman’s father sneaks back on set, confusing Truman. Ultimately, Christof writes Truman’s father back in with the excuse of amnesia and uses their raw, emotional meeting to tug on the heartstrings of the audience.
Truman with the actors playing his mother and wife
Truman’s relationship with his wife is just as unreal. In their wedding photos, she crosses her fingers symbolizing that it is all one big lie. She is working to create an exciting new addition to the show: a baby. Truman’s best friend, Marlon, drops by with beer whenever Truman starts to question his life. Playing at friendship, the clueless actor needs Christof to feed him lines.
And while Seahaven Island is precisely coordinated, it isn’t perfect. There are glitches. Studio lights fall from the sky; Truman stands in the only rainy spot on the beach; and the radio broadcast follows Truman’s exact location. After these strange events, Truman begins to question everything and eventually concludes that the world somehow revolves around him — that he has some sort of power.
“We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented,” Christof says to explain why Truman has not figured out the truth. “Truman prefers his cell,” he continues, which is still very much applicable today. Take misinformation, for example; it’s often easier to accept what we’re told on social media instead of looking deeper into the often-disappointing or complicated truth. And sometimes the process of bringing the truth to the light can be long or difficult.
Jim Carrey as Truman
25 years after the release of this film, influencers intentionally perform “real life” on Instagram and TikTok. Where Truman’s life is completely commodified without his knowledge, influencers choose to reject a private life for fame.
“There’s no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. The same lies, the same deceit. But in my world, you have nothing to fear,” says Christof after Truman almost dies at sea seeking the truth. Truman rejects this pessimistic view and instead decides to take the risk of the real world. The lies and half-truths we accept to avoid fear and discomfort confine us. Be like Truman: question what you know. The truth is worth the risk.
The Truman Show will be screened at IU Cinema on September 19 as part of the Themester film series.
Imari Walker is a Themester 2023 Senior Intern and program assistant in the OVPDEI Office of Overseas Studies and Scholarship Program. In 2024, she will obtain degrees in International Law and Linguistics with a minor in African Languages and Certificate in Global French.