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The Truman Show is a 1998 American psychological comedy drama film written and co-produced by Andrew Niccol, and directed by Peter Weir. The film's star character is Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man who grows up living an ordinary life that—unbeknownst to him—takes place on a large set populated by actors for a reality television show about him. Its supporting cast includes Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Paul Giamatti, and Brian Delate. Unlike the finished product, Niccol's spec script was more of a science-fiction thriller, with the story set in New York City. One of the producers Scott Rudin purchased the script and set up production at Paramount Pictures. Brian De Palma was to direct before Weir signed as director, making the film for $60 million—$20 million less than the original estimate. Niccol rewrote the script while the crew was waiting for Carrey to sign. The majority of filming took place at Seaside, Florida, a master-planned community located in the Florida Panhandle. The Truman Show held its world premiere in Los Angeles on June 1, 1998, and was released in North America on June 5. The film was a financial success, grossing $264 million worldwide, debuting to critical acclaim, and earned numerous nominations at the 71st Academy Awards, 56th Golden Globe Awards, 52nd British Academy Film Awards, and 25th Saturn Awards. The Truman Show has been analyzed as an exploration of simulated reality, existentialism, surveillance, metaphilosophy, privacy, and reality television, and described as a genre-blending work that features elements of dystopian fiction, meta fiction, psychological drama, romantic comedy, satire, and social science fiction. Plot Selected from birth and officially adopted by a television studio following an unwanted pregnancy, Truman Burbank is the unsuspecting star of The Truman Show, a reality television program filmed 24/7 through approximately five thousand hidden cameras and broadcast worldwide. Christof, the show's creator and executive producer, seeks to capture Truman's authentic emotions and give audiences a relatable everyman. Truman's hometown, Seahaven Island, is set inside an enormous dome, populated by crew members and actors who advertise products to both Truman and the audience to generate revenue for the show. The elaborate set allows Christof to control almost every aspect of Truman's life, including the weather. To prevent Truman from discovering the truth, Christof orchestrates scenarios that curtail his desire for exploration, such as the "death" of his father in a sea storm to instill thalassophobia, and constantly broadcasts messages about the dangers of traveling and the virtues of staying home. During his college years, Truman, though written to fall in love with and marry fellow student Meryl, develops feelings for Sylvia, an extra. Although Sylvia is fired from the show before she can disclose the truth to Truman, he secretly continues to dream of a life with her outside of his marriage to Meryl and hopes to travel to Fiji, where he is led to believe Sylvia moved. In the real world, Sylvia joins "Free Truman", an activist group that aims to cancel the show and have Truman released. As the show approaches its 30th anniversary, Truman begins to notice unusual occurrences around him, such as a broken spotlight (labelled Sirius) falling from the sky, a column of rain following only him, a malfunctioning radio channel precisely describing his movements, and the reappearance of his father (who is rushed away by crew members before Truman can confront him). Truman begins questioning his life and realizes that the city somehow revolves around him. Truman's suspicions lead him to spontaneously drive off of Seahaven Island with Meryl in tow. After a series of improbable disasters, he attempts to continue on foot, after which he is subdued by people in protective gear. Back at home, Truman openly questions Meryl's feelings for him as well as her attempt to change the topic by advertising a product. In the ensuing confrontation, Meryl breaks character and is removed from the show shortly afterward. Hoping to bring Truman back to a controllable state, Christof properly reintroduces his father to the show under the guise of him having developed amnesia after the boating accident. The show regains its ratings, and Truman seems to return to his routines. One night, Christof discovers that Truman has begun sleeping in his basement. Disturbed by this change in behavior, Christof sends Truman's best friend Marlon to visit and discovers that Truman has secretly disappeared through a makeshift tunnel in the basement. Christof temporarily suspends the broadcast for the first time in its history, leading to record viewing numbers. Christof orders a citywide search for Truman and is soon forced to break the production's day-night cycle to optimize the search. Truman is found sailing away from Seahaven, having conquered his fear of water. Christof resumes the transmission and creates a violent storm in an attempt to capsize Truman's boat. Truman nearly drowns, but his spirit remains unbroken, and he continues to sail until his boat strikes the wall of the dome. Initially horrified, Truman looks around and finds a staircase leading to an exit door. As he contemplates leaving, Christof speaks to him directly through a speaker system, encouraging him to stay by claiming that there is no more truth in the real world than his artificial one. After a moment of reflection, Truman utters his catchphrase: "In case I don't see you... good afternoon, good evening, and good night", bows to the audience, and exits. Viewers around the world celebrate Truman's escape, and Sylvia races to greet him. Christof's supervisors end the program with a shot of the open exit door. After the broadcast ends, Truman’s viewers look for something else to watch. Cast Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank. Though Robin Williams was considered for the role, Weir cast Carrey after seeing him in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, citing that Carrey's performance reminded him of Charlie Chaplin. Gary Oldman did a test footage for the role, though he understood Niccol's script was the star he had no interest in playing the role. Carrey took the opportunity to proclaim himself as a dramatic actor, rather than being typecast in comedic roles. Carrey, who was then normally paid $20 million per film, agreed to do The Truman Show for $12 million. Carrey also said it was the fastest that he ever accepted a role. The scene in which Truman declares "this planet Trumania of the Burbank galaxy" to the bathroom mirror was Carrey's idea. Laura Linney as Hannah Gill, acting as Meryl Burbank, Truman's wife. Linney studied Sears catalogs from the 1950s to develop her character's poses. Ed Harris as Christof. Dennis Hopper was originally cast in the role, but he left in April 1997 (during filming) over "creative differences". Harris was a last-minute repl.... Discover the Mike Mercadante popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Mike Mercadante books.