Burbank, Truman Burbank

Although everyone seemed to love The Truman Show, it seems for every different reason. It was like Forrest Gump, but nobody seems to exactly no why. I never saw Forrest Gump, but I'm fairly sure I would not have liked it as much as good ol' Truman Burbank.

Truman was adopted by a corporation, raised and surrounded by actors from his birth. He thought he lived a normal life, but was actually living his entire life on a town sized set, and everyone around him was performing. He was living his life to entertain the masses. His wife, friends, and parents are simply there to fill in plot points. He eventually figures out what is going on, and attempts to escape.

There are thousand possible themes for dealing with the theological and philisophical issues in this film. You could focus on the names "Truman" the True Man, "Burbank" as in Burbank, CA, the show's creator "Christof" doing an impression of a less than perfect God. Some of the scenes ring with irony, such as when Truman sees the light, while others touch to deeper images, like when he walks on water.

Robert Johnston's Reel Spirituality has a chapter on director Peter Weir, which discuses underlying themes in several of his works, including The Truman Show. These issues include alienation, cultural concerns over establishment, myth, and inability to deal with feminity. In addition to these, I feel the film touches on issues of identity, power, and voyerism.

Weir seems to be making a point about the power of Media. When Chrisof says "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented." He seems to be speaking for the controlers of the media. As Pugente and Williams point out, Christof, and the media powers that be he represents, controls most of what goes on in Truman's little world.

Elle makes a strong case for this in our private lives as well, as we chose to see what we want to see, or what we expect to see. A truth learned long ago playing hide and seek: People won't see what they aren't expecting.

There are at least a dozen diferent interpretations for this film. Some are good, some are good for a ramble. Because of the "worldwide" deception, I see this film as an effective salvation metaphor. While Truman lives in Seaheaven (no, I can't) , he is blinded by the fact that he is not living life to the fullest. He is aware vaugly of his incompletenss, but cannot put his finger on what is wrong. As he explores the world he lives in, he sees clues that indicate not everything is as it seems. In the same way, as the Holy Spirit nudges us toward salvation, we begin to realize the this world does not offer us everything we want, or everything we need. We see clues pointing us to a larger reality. Also working for this metaphor is Christof. He is the "god" of this little world, and offers anyone who wishes to leave distraction and discouragement. Wow, haven't heard any that before, have we?

Just as Truman slowly becomes aware of the someone trying to distract him from the reality of where he lived, so the Holy Spirit brings us to slowly understand the nature of the worthless system designed to distract us. The consistent discouragment for Truman to leave the island is directed squarly at him. This world does not specifically discourage individuals, but rather casts a wide net to ensnare everyone. This elaboratly intertwined trap works more effectively han Christof's more direct approach because everything doesn't revolve around one person, making cracks are harder too see.

Sam Vaknin argues that Truman's choice can be viewed as imoral, along the lines of Eve's choice in the Garden. I find his logic impossible to follow, unless one denies the nature of God and the nature of Satan. God did not decieve Adam and Eve in the garden for his enjoyment or profit, and Satan was not trying to free us. That was the lie he presented, but do we really believe we're better off since we listened to him? I think Sam tries to hard to stretch a small parable into a long allegory.

One final thing I'd like to comment on is the exchange between Truman and Christof toward the end of the film:
Truman: [to an unseen Christof] Who are you?
Christof: [on a speaker] I am the Creator - of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions.
Truman: Then who am I?
Christof: You're the star.

In the slight pause after Creator, Christof displays his tremendous hubris. He's really quite impressed with himself. He has tried to become God, and ended up only confusing and nearly destroying his "creation." On the other hand, Trueman has not been able to effectivly form an identity, becuase he was not allowed to develop as an individual.


Other reviews I enjoyed, and would have liked to work into this posting:
InterVarsity
Thomas Trevenen
Mark Shea