-THE TRUMAN SHOW-

Starring Jim Carrey 'The Truman Show' was released in 1998. Directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol. Also starring Laura Linney, and Natasha McElhone. - BBFC Rating: PG - Genre: Fantasy/Comedy/Drama. - Running Time: 103 Minutes. -

Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) is a man who has grown up in, and is now living his life unaware, within a reality TV programme. Hand chosen from five unwanted babies, he is legally adopted by the television company. Truman is then placed in the specially constructed set ready for the unveiling of the ground breaking reality show. Killing his father off within the programme by a 'staged' boating accident ensures Truman's fear of water and therefore leaving him no option for escape should he discover the truth behind his scripted life, as the only way out of the town is by crossing the sea. The whole history of the programme which has charted Truman's birth, childhood and progression to manhood is shown globally 24/07. Functioning within this structured reality, the world watches on. Within the programme he lives a typical mundane existence, unaware of the cameras which follow every move he makes.

Truman Burbank is a happily married man with a steady job in a local office, which again is a total sham, as the wife is in fact an actress provided by the TV Company. As are the towns population, who are the 'Extras' in effect. The whole cast involved in the entire production of the Truman show are all actors and Truman is the only 'real' person existing within his manufactured life. Set in the fictional town of Seahaven, Truman is a model citizen and a regular 'all American guy'. The whole town loves Burbank and they all wave to him on his way to work. The 'Truman show' is major and the network make a lot of money off the back of it. The reality TV programme is headed by a fanatical boss who sees it as his brainchild and he is overly possessive with every aspect of it. America loves Truman and the citizens tune in at all hours to see what he is up to. The show has become a National institution. But there is something just too perfect about his existence, too routine, too clockwork, and something happens one day which makes Truman question the very origins of his whole existence.-

I love this film; it struck a chord with me. The story is just so original. I loved the whole concept of it, and of course quite predictive in the whole reality TV thing. Drawing on George Orwells 1984 possibly,

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