The Truman Show Paper
Jack Bernstein
Period-2
Everyone these days watches reality TV, like shows on MTV from classics like “the real world” or the newest hits like “Jersey Shore.” The movie “The Truman Show” was one of the 1st examples of reality shows in the US. In 1998 “The Truman Show” revolutionized reality TV, through its plot and story line to its great characters and amazing camera and video work.
“The Truman Show” plot and story line was decades ahead of its time. The thought one someone’s life and every moment of it being recorded and documented on live TV was a ridiculous thought before this movie. The story line was even more interesting in this movie because Truman had no idea he was being recorded 24/7 and was living his whole life on a movie set. The movie won many awards and I feel it started the era of reality TV in the US. It sparked the idea for shows like “The Real World” and “Jersey Shore.” So I feel that the reason “The Truman Show” was so great was because it was years and years ahead of its time.
The characters were another aspect of why this movie was so great, and made this movie a classic. First off I don’t think they could have picked a better actor for the role of Truman. Jim Carrey is one of the funniest people on the planet, and deservingly won many awards for his role as Truman. These included a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1998, and best comedy role as well. Marlon, who was played by Noah Emmerich also played a great role in this movie as Truman’s best friend. He was very smart and witty and even though he was an actor you could tell he cared about Truman as a person and not as a character in the #1 TV show in the world. He won a Golden Globe in 1998 for best supporting actor. Also Christof, played by Ed Harris was another great character in “The Truman Show.” He played the role of the creator of the show and controlled everything that went on. He represents the “Christ” “Of” the show and Truman’s life. One of the reasons this is a great movie is because of the outstanding cast.
“The Truman Show” was one of the most creative and well thought out movies I have ever seen, mainly because of its great camera work. On the set of the movie, there were over 5,000 uniquely placed camera’s, they were so clever that Truman never found one his entire life! There were even cameras on his body that he never saw, like on his shirt buttons for example. There were also great camera shots, like zoom in’s and outs and great panoramic views like the one of him in his boat on the ocean for example. So for its time I feel like this movie was one of the best and most creatively filmed movies ever.
I really enjoyed watching “The Truman Show” and thought it was a grwat way to end this class because it was a perfect example of great movie making and camera work along with video and audio. It had a fantastic story line, cast of characters and camera work that made it one of my favorite movies. I just wish there was a sequal…. How would Truman’s life be now that he is in the real world and out of “Seahaven?”
