On June 5th, 1998, The Truman Show was released. The American satirical sci-fi film was directed by Peter Weir, produced by Scott Rudin, written on spec by Andrew Niccol (which ended up being re-written over 12 times). The picture stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, who is adopted and raised by a corporation inside a simulated television show revolving around his life, until he discovers he is on said show and wants to escape. It co-stars Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Paul Giamatti and Ed Harris.
The film’s script was inspired by an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Special Service". It was more of a science-fiction thriller than the dramedy it became, with the story set in New York City, in a darker time. Brian De Palma was set to direct before Peter Weir signed on, making the film for only $60 million; cutting $20 million out of the original budget. Niccol rewrote the script while the crew was waited for Carrey to sign on.
The film was a financial success and was critically acclaimed. It earned numerous nominations at the 71st Academy Awards, 56th Golden Globe Awards, 52nd British Academy Film Awards and The Saturn Awards. Check out some of the crazy facts about this fantastic satire/drama.
Ed Harris and Jim Carrey never met during filming.
In an interview, director Peter Weir said he wanted to have cameras installed in every theater the film was shown in, having the projectionist at one point cut the power, cut to the viewers, and then cut back to the movie.
People on the set were forbidden speak lines from Jim Carrey's past movies like “Ace Ventura” or “The Mask.”
Jim Carrey was Peter Weir's first choice to play Truman from the start but, Carrey and Weir initially found working together difficult (Carrey's contract gave him the power to demand rewrites), but Weir was impressed with Carrey's improvisational skills, and the two became more interactive.
This was Jim Carrey's first time taking on a serious dramatic leading role. "It was one of the best scripts I ever read. It works on so many levels."
Director Peter Weir presented Ed Harris a 10 page biography of his character, Christof. Part of this biography consisted of Christof doing a film on the homeless which he won an award.
The original script had Truman living in a recreation of New York City. But Peter Weir changed it to an idyllic town to make the movie feel less "sci-fi."
Paramount was cautious about the film which they dubbed "the most expensive art film ever made" because of its $60 million budget. They wanted the film to be funnier and less dramatic. Peter Weir also shared this vision, feeling that Andrew Niccoll's script was too dark, and declaring "where Niccol had made it depressing, I could make it light. It could convince audiences they could watch a show in this scope 24/7."
Dennis Hopper was originally cast as Christof, but walked off the set on his first day. Ed Harris replaced him. Hopper went on to a supporting role in Edtv (1999), which has striking similarities to the premise of "The Truman Show."
Peter Weir cast Jim Carrey after seeing him in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) because Carrey's performance reminded him of Charles Chaplin.
Robin Williams was considered to star as Truman Burbank.
In 2008, a psychiatrist shared that he had met five schizophrenic patients and heard of another dozen who believed their lives were reality television shows. One patient climbed the Statue of Liberty believing that his high school girlfriend would be at the top, which was the key to him being able to leave the show.
Truman's first name is a play on the words "true man." His last name is from studio city Burbank, CA, which is also the location of the dome where the show is filmed.
Brian De Palma was under negotiations to direct before he left United Talent Agency in March 1994. Directors who were considered after De Palma's departure included Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, Sam Raimi, David Cronenberg, Barry Sonnenfeld and Steven Spielberg before Peter Weir signed on in early 1995, following a recommendation of Andrew Niccol. Bryan Singer wanted to direct but Paramount decided to go with the more experienced Weir.
Hope Davis was in the running for the role that ultimately went to Laura Linney.
Ed Harris had an idea of making Christof a hunchback, but Peter Weir did not like the idea.
It was the only film that year to be Oscar nominated for Best Director, but not Best Picture.
This is the only time that Peter Weir was nominated for a Best Director Oscar in a non-Best Picture nominated film.
The boat Truman sails on at the end of the movie is named the Santa Maria, the same name of one of Christopher Columbus' ships when sailing to eventually find 'a new world'.
The Truman Show has been analyzed a number of times as a thesis on Christianity, meta-philosophy, simulated reality, existentialism and the rise of reality television. It is a true testament to the horrible “reality” of reality TV and its subjective of criticizing the true nature of reality tv not being real at all. Rumor has it they are trying to do a remake of the film but, being Jim Carey’s first “dramatic” work, I feel it should be left alone. It’s a great film with a constant poignant point that remains just as important today if not more so in the world we live in.
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