The Truman Show (1998)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

This pairing, which we're calling "Surreality Television," focuses on films that examine the dividing line between truth and fiction in television. First up is a film that aptly predicted the reality television craze in a somewhat frightening way! Directed by Peter Weir, 1998's "The Truman Show" takes the standard reality television program and ups the ante in a daring and possibly illegal way. Award-winning director Christof (Ed Harris) created a television program where a baby was born into an artificially-created world, and it's become the longest-running TV show in history. Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) is the star of the show, and viewers have watch him from even before his birth up to just weeks before his 30th birthday. Surrounded by his "wife" Meryl Burbank (Laura Linney) and his best friend Marlon (Noah Emmerich), Truman has led an idyllic life. But the surprise connection between Truman and an extra on the program, Sylvia, whose real name is Lauren (Natascha McElhone) plants a seed of rebellion in Truman. And when his constructed reality starts to fray at the edges, Truman begins to realize that he may have more choice in his life than he ever thought possible!