By: James Watson The centerpiece of an otherwise low-key Sunday was GSE’s first film screening of the session, Peter Weir’s postmodern masterpiece The Truman Show. The film is a reality TV-esque reimagining of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” chock full of classic 90’s cynicism and career defining performances from Jim Carrey and Ed Harris. The film, although unknown to many students, was a smash hit. Instrumental music student Cole Walton explained, “I thought The Truman Show offered an interesting perspective on the way that we perceive reality. My favorite part was when Truman overcame his fear of the water-- I found it inspiring.” Walton added, “It’s a top 2 movie for me!” Throughout the week, students in their Area II classes had already begun to examine some philosophical principles ahead of Sunday's screening. However, seeing these abstract concepts come to life in a major film was undoubtedly an enlightening experience for many. In the movie, the titular Truman Burbank (played by Jim Carrey) lives in a picturesque seaside town known as Seahaven. He has a cushy, mundane job in insurance and a loving wife. Truman’s life, however, is a lie. In reality, it is a (quite literally) made-for-TV spectacle engineered by the fictional television auteur known only as “Christof” (Ed Harris). When Truman begins to observe strange occurrences within Seahaven, he starts to understand what millions of viewers worldwide already know: reality as he knows it is fake, and his friends and family are actors. Even the seemingly genuine bonds Truman forms with the people of Seahaven are merely cleverly disguised means of advertising. However, The Truman Show was more than just entertainment. The disruption of one’s perceived reality is a central theme of the film, and this idea is also central to GSE's Area II classes, where challenging preconceptions, ideas, and values is the norm. Questions that arose from the film have led to thought-provoking discussions in Area II classes across campus, and many students have begun to wonder if what they perceive is real about their own lives.
The Truman Show is without a doubt a remarkable movie. It is a classic of modern cinema and an endearing fable on reality and the nature of truth. It’s hilarious, tragic, and perplexing, and it has quickly garnered the affection of the GSE student body. Given the success of this screening, it is a safe bet that students are eagerly anticipating the next film, whatever it may be. Comments are closed.
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