This dystopian comedy movie explores the power of media, commercialism and simulated reality. Truman has the all-American life: A loving wife, kids, a house complete with a picket fence… Then he starts noticing the occasional oddity. Whether it be his wife sounding like an infomercial or the people around him doing everything in their power to keep him from leaving town, he knows something isn’t right. Not only is he being watched, but his whole life has also been filmed and aired as a reality TV show. A fake marriage, fake town… fake life? In his desire to uncover the truth, he leaves everything he’s ever known behind.

The film is a great starting point for discussions surrounding surveillance, reality TV, American stereotypes and the American Dream.

Film · United States · 1998