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“Utopia is an illusion. Dystopia is the reality” A utopia is a fictional society or state imitating a perfect simulation. The film, The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir demonstrates how Truman's definition of “perfection” contrasts from Christof’s perspective. The movie teaches viewers that one man's Utopia is another man’s Dystopia, through the defamiliarizing of common ideas, blurring the lines between what's real versus what’s fake, and defining the layers of reality.
Everything Truman Burbank thought he knew to be normal or real is no longer familiar to him. Ever since the studio light fell from the sky, Truman has been increasingly suspicious towards his existence. Followed by his father who drowned years ago, appearing in front of him as a hobo, Lauren attempting to reveal the truth on the beach, and the news channel describing his every move on the radio. Truman is seen having a conversation with Marlon, his best friend since childhood, and explains his suspicions towards the irrational behaviour of his reality: '...it feels like the whole world revolves around me somehow.'(The Truman Show). In an effort to discredit Truman's paranoia, Marlin explains, 'It's a lot of world for one man, Truman. Are you sure that's not wishful thinking? You wishing you'd made something more of yourself.'(The Truman Show) . As Truman continues to do unexpected things in an effort to escape, the actors continue to dissuade him from leaving. He realizes what Christof would describe as a heaven is slowly becoming a hell and the line between what's real and fake increasingly becomes more apparent to him.
The movie blurs the lines between fiction and reality, Truman is born, takes his first step, and grows up on Seahaven Island. Everyone he knows and interacts with is a hired actor, but his reactions towards them are genuine. When looking through his wedding album, Truman realizes that Meryl, his wife crosses her fingers during their vows, symbolizing that she doesn't mean her feelings towards Truman. The next morning, Truman “cross[es] [his] fingers for [her].' (The Truman Show), indicating to her that he knows what's going on. Truman decides that he is going to fight back in a search for the truth, he sails off in an effort to find answers beyond what he sees in front of him and reaches the end of the dome, coming to the realization that he's living a life of lies. He speaks to the creator of the television show, Christof, and asks, “Was nothing real?” (The Truman Show), Christof responds , “You were real... that's what made you so good to watch.”(The Truman Show). Truman is left confused and questioning the falsity of his actuality. What Truman once thought was his home is now a prison. Christof tells him that the real world is full of deceit whereas in Seahaven he has paradise and nothing to fear, but Truman responds: “You never had cameras inside my head.” (The Truman Show), implying that Christof doesnt know him as well as he thinks he does. Truman has a different perspective on paradise from Christof, therefore, he opens the door, and leaves into the next layer of reality.
The film determines the layers of reality as Truman's reality, Christof's reality, and the viewers of the Tv shows reality, but only Christof can directly communicate with each layer. Before the interview connecting Christof to the viewers, the TruTalk Newscaster says: 'Before we begin, I'd like to thank you on behalf of our audience for granting this exclusive interview. We know how demanding your schedule is and we all know how jealously you guard your privacy.' (The Truman Show). It is ironic that Christof, who has broadcasted every moment of Truman's life, avoids publicity unless completely necessary, such as when Christof reveals himself as a voice in the sky as a final effort to keep Truman inside the simulation, he says, 'Truman, you can speak, I can hear you!' (The Truman Show). In this moment the relationship between Truman and Christof, the symbol of christ, is apparent. God and Man. Just as God did for mankind, Christof created a world for Truman. While Christof claims he has created a worry free heaven, Truman believes he is trapped in hell.
The film educates watchers on the different perspectives on Utopia and Dystopia, through making ones typical knowledge unfamiliar to themselves, undefining the difference between reality versus fiction, and determining the 3 layers of the movies reality. Furthermore it has been made apparent that according to truman, it is better to live in a world full of deceit than to live a life of lies.
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