"The Truman Show": Hidden Camera Social Commentary

1998's poster for "The Truman Show".

“The Truman Show” (1998), directed by Peter Weir, is a film fixed on deception. It opens with a scene reminiscent of 1950s “Leave it to Beaver” – picket fence and all – as viewers follow Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) through the beginnings of what seems to be a normal day. He exits his one-story ranch style home with briefcase in tow, waves at his neighbors, bids farewell to his wife (who, of course, is staying at home to eagerly await the return of her bread-winning husband, and perhaps bake or sew), and leaves in his Buick for work. He never stops smiling.

                But soon, things seem to change. The film begins to reveal to the viewers that things are not as pleasant in the town of Sea Haven. We witness actors leaving for breaks, set pieces being moved, and hidden cameras following Truman everywhere he goes. In time, Truman begins to catch on too, and before you know it, everything that he had ever thought was true has to be questioned. His wife, boss, best friend; they’re all fake. Actors. Everything is a lie. The bulk of the film comes when Truman realizes and begins to react to this.

                “The Truman Show” isn’t afraid to make you ask questions; or, if need be, ask them for you. It is a satire that makes no qualms about urging you to question your surroundings, the things you trust. It is darkly humorous in the way that it highlights and exposes the natural compulsion we all feel as humans: the one that gives us the ability to cheat, steal, lie, and hurt others for our own personal gain. With the help of a stellar performance by Jim Carrey, ”The Truman Show” is largely successful in poking fun at these desires, but I assure you that the lesson that is present at the film’s core won’t leave you laughing.

                And it isn’t supposed to. The irony within “The Truman Show” is that it uses dishonesty to remind its viewers of one universal truth: people, in general, are inherently bad. These qualities are on display in nearly every character in the film. Truman’s best friend Marlon (Noah Emmerich) is only an actor who has pretended to grow up alongside Truman, living in the same world that he does for Truman’s entire life. And the savage director of the television show that Truman unknowingly stars in, who pulled him from the crib at birth and made him a test subject for millions of people to watch, sees Truman through eyes with dollar signs in them. To him, Truman is nothing more than a cash-cow. Even Truman himself shows flashes of badness, from the way he so easily accepts the world he has been given, to the way that he reacts once he finally discovers that something is up.

                The film’s biggest success is that it manages to communicate these ideas without being overbearing or trying to say too much. The social commentary tucked beneath the humor of Jim Carrey and the unique plot are so tasteful that they are barely noticeable. The cast is superb and the plot is second to none, and it all combines to create what seems to be a timeless classic film.

The rest of the world sees Truman through hidden cameras like this one.

                “The Truman Show” is nothing if not unique. It warns viewers of the dangers of complacency, demands that they question the world around them, and it reminds us all that people, no matter how close, are still people, failures and all. It is successful as an entertaining film, featuring a high profile actor that is guaranteed to make you chuckle from beginning to end. What really makes it soar though – the thing that will keep people watching over 12 years after its initial release – is the delicacy with which it handles the touchy subjects, the way that it encourages folks to want better, and the way that it does all of this without you even realizing it.