How does the film The Truman Show tell the audience about the influence of the media?
Barney Grove 30.09.06
How does the film The Truman Show tell the audience about the influence of the media?
The Truman Show is showing us how often the media influences our everyday lives and that we are sometimes not even aware of it. For example, although Mrs Truman is going a little over the top when she advertises some branded coco powder, whilst having a conversation to Truman - we don't think about it when we talk about a brand, but in a way we are advertising it. It also reminds us that sometimes our social lives are often based around the media. For example the two old ladies sitting on the couch watching Truman whilst clutching Truman cushions. There is also the Truman bar- a bar themed on a TV show. Another point brought to my attention was that Truman listens to basically whatever the media tells him. An example being at the start of the film when a light falls off the ceiling and lands by Truman's house, this is then explained on the radio to be a part from an aeroplane that was dropped a few minutes earlier over Seahaven and Truman thinks nothing more of it. Christoff seems to know that Truman will listen to what he is told by the media, when he turns on the TV it is almost like he is listening to his god. In the 21st century there are less religious people in the world than century's, it might well be we don't need religion any more. Alternatively it could be down to scientific progress which has made us less superstitious. Personally I think the media may well have something to do with this, religious people do what god wants them to do as in the same way we will dress like our favourite pop star. Truman however is so use to the media as that was how he was brought up, that he will listen to it for more serious advice than what to wear.
Truman is a kind, humorous and likeable character. He is a happy chap and always has a smile on his face. For example every morning two twins pin him up against a billboard, but Truman just smiles even though they often make him late for work. Truman is the sort of "what you see is what you get" type of guy, but by the end of the film this changes and he purposely becomes unpredictable. To sum up, Truman Burbank is "the man with no enemies". In a way Christoff turns this model citizen into an unpredictable wreck. Truman also seems to the audience to have a great family. Truman wanted to settle down and have children who they could bring up together in Seahaven. Although Truman does some strange things (normally under Christoff's control), he is generally kind at heart.
How does the film The Truman Show tell the audience about the influence of the media?
The Truman Show is showing us how often the media influences our everyday lives and that we are sometimes not even aware of it. For example, although Mrs Truman is going a little over the top when she advertises some branded coco powder, whilst having a conversation to Truman - we don't think about it when we talk about a brand, but in a way we are advertising it. It also reminds us that sometimes our social lives are often based around the media. For example the two old ladies sitting on the couch watching Truman whilst clutching Truman cushions. There is also the Truman bar- a bar themed on a TV show. Another point brought to my attention was that Truman listens to basically whatever the media tells him. An example being at the start of the film when a light falls off the ceiling and lands by Truman's house, this is then explained on the radio to be a part from an aeroplane that was dropped a few minutes earlier over Seahaven and Truman thinks nothing more of it. Christoff seems to know that Truman will listen to what he is told by the media, when he turns on the TV it is almost like he is listening to his god. In the 21st century there are less religious people in the world than century's, it might well be we don't need religion any more. Alternatively it could be down to scientific progress which has made us less superstitious. Personally I think the media may well have something to do with this, religious people do what god wants them to do as in the same way we will dress like our favourite pop star. Truman however is so use to the media as that was how he was brought up, that he will listen to it for more serious advice than what to wear.
Truman is a kind, humorous and likeable character. He is a happy chap and always has a smile on his face. For example every morning two twins pin him up against a billboard, but Truman just smiles even though they often make him late for work. Truman is the sort of "what you see is what you get" type of guy, but by the end of the film this changes and he purposely becomes unpredictable. To sum up, Truman Burbank is "the man with no enemies". In a way Christoff turns this model citizen into an unpredictable wreck. Truman also seems to the audience to have a great family. Truman wanted to settle down and have children who they could bring up together in Seahaven. Although Truman does some strange things (normally under Christoff's control), he is generally kind at heart.
