Question for those who have seen "The Truman Show"?

Question

I noticed that in order to keep Truman's world existing, the actors had to basically sacrifice their whole life to keep it going. Specifically Meryl (Linney) and Marlon (Emmerich). They were friends from college and Truman "married" Meryl, that would mean she spent all of her time there.
Wouldn't that then mean that Seahaven became a real world for them as well? They sometimes act like everything is brand new for them.

And why is it such a shock when Truman wanders somewhere he shouldn't? They've had thirty-something years to perfect their story and plan for all eventualities. Shouldn't they have a plan for everything he does and not have to scramble to make up a reason something happened?

And another thing. How in the world could all the people on the outside spend so much time watching this show? How did they know everything that happened to him? The only way to accomplish this would be to have people sit and watch non-stop all their life.

I'm not a space cadet, I know it's a movie. I just think that these questions should have been addressed or at least clarified.

Answer 1

I love that movie. Makes you wonder.....

Anyway....

1) Yes the actors/actresses had to sacrifice their personal lives for the show, but it wouldn't have bothered them as much because their actions were all scripted and whenever Truman was at work, they probably could have talked to their non-Truman-show friends or done whatever they wanted.

2) They can not plan for everything Truman does because Truman is a human being, and they change and develop and are unpredictable in how they do so. Plus, don't you think it's impossible to plan for EVERY possibility? They trained him to be afraid of water, and since he believed he lived on an island, this probably would have kept him there indefinitely had he not had such a drive to explore. Even if Truman had decided to wander on his own, they should have been able to keep track of him with the cameras. Who would have ever guessed he would figure out a way to avoid the cameras?

3) In the diner they keep flashing back to, one of the servers mentioned that the diner is Truman show-themed, and that the Truman show is running indefinitely and at all times on its own channel.

4) I'm sure the most important events on Truman's life could be recorded and shown on other channels or the Internet -- or heck, even while Truman is sleeping.

5) I got the impression that people don't spend their entire lives watching the Truman Show, just that they can tune in every now and then to see how he's doing. If anything important happens, they can watch the "reruns" like I mentioned above. In a way, they are kind of treating Truman like a hamster you don't have to take care of. Supposing you own a pet hamster, do you watch it every moment of your life to see what it's doing? No. You just check on it every now and then to see what it's doing.

Hope I answered everything.

Answer 2

NOTE -- These are my opinions, please don't take them as anything else :)

A: For the actors, this is not just a job for them. They have been groomed from birth that this is their life. They are also probably very well paid and enjoy the idea of fame. Maybe when they leave Truman, they get to go outside Sea Haven and be normal people for a little while. Meryl and Marlon are very dedicated to the show and it has become real for them in a way.

B: Truman was easy to control when he was young and naive. I don't think the director every really thought Truman would ever misbehave and try to escape...that's why they don't have a plan ready.

C: I see it as this is a whole new world where society has become addicted to watching television and it has become their lifestyle to watch everyday at every moment to see what is happening to Truman. Finally, when Truman escapes that world, the rest of society can get back to being human beings and not living their lives through Truman.

Answer 3

I'm only going to address the last question: How in the world could all the people on the outside spend so much time watching this show?

Well, people watch The Bachelor, American Idol, The Apprentice. It seems that the networks have ratings data which suggests that anytime there's a "reality" show that does nothing but show you someone else's life, we'll tune in and watch it. I don't think the concept of "The Truman Show" is that far off-beat. There's probably a whole cable channel in the making.

Answer 4

The world of Truman would be real in some aspects to some of the more involved characters, but since Truman didn't spend all of his time with any one character, then they would have opportunities to involve themselves in aspects of the outside world, too.

Nothing can be anticipated entirely. And after awhile of thinking that you know someone quite well, you can become complacent and then set yourself up to miss something. This happens a lot in long standing friendships and marriages.

Different people would watch different parts of the show, obviously, and talk about it to/with others. And magazines would be devoted to details of the show, as well as highlights of important events being played on TV.

Answer 5

I too wanted to comment on your last part.

Have you not seen all the stupid questions about American Idol & I Love New York on here? It's not so far fetched to think people would follow it that closely.

But in the end, it's just a movie. If they had planned for everything Truman did out of the normal cycle of his day, then it wouldn't be very fun to watch.

Answer 6

I really like this movie and those are all very good observations...I agree that the outsiders must have watched the show obsessively. I think it all reflects on how obsessed society is with knowing everything about other people's lives instead of living their own. In reality, it's worse now. Reality shows have become so popular...the movie was sort of predicting our future, but I doubt anyone would go to the extreme of the movie.

Answer 7

Amen! Truman show was a very unique film and it made alot of money, it was well made but I think your missing the focus a tad bit.

You are 100% right in your examination and I do not disagree. Its just that the whole film was making a much needed point about the price that we pay for entertainment. There were spiritual under tones and quite a bit of philsophical arguments that can be made.

Truman never wandered because they kept him living in fear, and it was not till he had truly begun to discover himself and overcome his fear that he broke out. It shows that process.

Answer 8

The show raised him they supposedly knew his every move, which is why there were surprises along the way.

No matter what being human things will always surprise you, some way, some how.

In the movie there was a network dedicated to The Truman show, so it ran constantly.

Answer 9

A. It's a movie.
B. it was a real world for them sort of. the difference is, their actions were mostly scripted.
It was a shock when they couldn't find him because they had everything under control, cameras everywhere, and they kept him in town by his fear of water.
and the people on the outside watching is another thing you'll have to forgive being that it is a movie...maybe they cut out the time he sleeps (although it does show them airing him sleeping)

Answer 10

1st question: I guess you are right. Having to play her wife, she probably spent most of her time with Truman, so she didn't or couldn't really have another 'real' life.
2nd: Yes again, 35 years sound as enough time to perfection the show.