*** SPOILER ALERT ***
The Truman Show was released in 1998 and starred Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, and Ed Harris. Truman doesn’t know it, but his life is the central plot of a worldwide phenomenon TV show, and cameras follow his every move.
When Truman learns of his situation’s reality, his desire to venture into the unknown territory past the borders of his TV show set life draws him to escape.
As a child, I was mesmerized by The Truman Show.
My aunt owned a copy of The Truman Show on VHS, and I would often ask her to play it in her room and watch it with me.
I remember thinking how interesting it would be to be Truman, with your entire life filmed for all to see. Would they be impressed? Would the world be shamed at your behavior? Would people like your true self on display? I liked to think I was a good boy, so I was hopeful it would be a positive experience to have one’s life played out on television.
We must live our own lives and not ones planned by others.
The Truman Show’s crux comes when he leaves — a bittersweet moment when the world is happy to see Truman live authentically but also sad to see him leave the world prepared for him.
Although Truman’s life was set up desirably, almost perfect and prepared, it wasn’t his own life. Even when needs are met, we see that we must all live as directed by self — otherwise, we can lose our purpose by following what others have set forth for us.
Watch for those in your life which prepare your next step without approval, and decide your destiny for yourself.
Whether watching The Truman Show now or when I was a child will forever capture my mind.
