Earlier than actuality TV was a popular culture mainstay, there was The Truman Present. It is thought-about certainly one of Jim Carrey’s finest movies, in addition to arguably delivered his most critical efficiency. Within the 25 years for the reason that satirical dramedy arrived in theaters, secrets and techniques in regards to the acclaimed movie have come to mild. In celebrating the milestone, the comedy’s author revealed an alternate closing line Jim Carrey virtually stated, in addition to one of many scrapped potlines from the darker, authentic script.
The Truman Present author Andrew Niccol spilled secrets and techniques from the cult traditional’s set to THR. The Oscar-nominated screenwriter revealed that the film was written earlier than his different sci-fi cult traditional Gattaca. Talking about Truman’s catchphrase “Good morning! And in case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good night, and good night time,” Niccol admitted to the well-known line was an ad-lib by Jim Carrey himself. Citing the signature phrase allowed the acclaimed movie author to disclose one other potential phrase Truman might’ve uttered.
For some time, I feel the final line was, ‘You by no means had a digicam in my head.’ Curiously, I’ve a movie within the works the place they do have a digicam in your head. Sort of.
At the least these phrases could get utilized in one other challenge. The coy line might’ve performed properly, particularly after the title character got here to phrases with the world watching his each transfer. Nonetheless, Carrey’s ad-lib gained out. Every little thing labored out in the long run because it’s probably the most memorable traces from the film.
Niccol referred to the comedy traditional because the “religious predecessor” to Gattaca. The In Time scribe talked about the unique script fell extra in step with the sci-fi thriller’s dystopian worldview. In fact, as soon as Peter Weir jumped on board, he was steered towards a tonal change. Greater than twenty years after The Truman Present’s launch, Andrew Niccol opened as much as the publication about one of many authentic plotlines.
I did envisage one thing darker. Within the authentic script, there was an harmless passenger attacked on the subway as a solution to take a look at Truman’s braveness, and Truman had a platonic relationship with a prostitute who he dressed as Sylvia [Natascha McElhone].
It appeared the unique script may’ve painted the producers as extra sadistic and conniving than even the ultimate movie did. The connection between Truman and Sylvia would’ve been remarkably totally different from the candy one portrayed within the Oscar-nominated dramedy. The darker plot would’ve made the movie extra miserable in comparison with the ultimate movie’s bittersweet tackle the idea.
Andre Niccol went into extra element in regards to the authentic Truman Present script within the interview. He revealed the movie was set in an alternate New York Metropolis earlier than switching to the brilliant and idyllic Seahaven. The Hollywood screenwriter additionally admitted it took 16 rewrites to grasp the lighter tone Weir needed.
Fortunately, every little thing labored out for Niccol, Weir and the movie. The Truman Present grew to become a essential and industrial hit in 1997, grossing over $264 million worldwide, whereas scoring popularity of Niccol’s writing, Weir’s course, and Jim Carrey’s dramatic flip. The essential acclaim translated to a number of awards and nominations, together with three Oscar nominations for Finest Image, Director and Unique Screenplay.
If you wish to revisit Andrew Niccol’s satirical send-up of actuality TV, go stream The Truman Present with an Amazon Prime Video subscription. After watching the dramedy traditional, look over our 2023 film schedule to see what new comedies and dramas are hitting theaters.
