The Truman Show (1998) quotes
Director
Peter Weir.
Cast
Jim Carrey.
Ed Harris.
Laura Linney.
An insurance salesman/adjuster discovers his entire life is actually a television show.
Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!
– Truman
Christof, let me ask you, why do you think that Truman has never come close to discovering the true nature of his world until now?
– Mike Michaelson
We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented. It’s as simple as that.
– Christof
For God’s sake, Chris! The whole world is watching. We can’t let him die in front of a live audience!
– Network Executive
He was born in front of a live audience.
– Christof
[last lines]
[the Truman Show has ceased transmission] What else is on?
– Garage Attendant
Yeah, let’s see what else is on.
– Garage Attendant
Where’s the TV guide?
– Garage Attendant
I know you better than you know yourself.
– Christof
You never had a camera in my head!
– Truman
[after scaring the two control room directors by seemingly talking to them, then easing them by seeming to revert back to his eccentricity, while they look at their notes temporarily] That one’s for free.
– Truman
Somebody help me, I’m being spontaneous!
– Truman Burbank
[first lines]
We’ve become bored with watching actors give us phony emotions. We are tired of pyrotechnics and special effects. While the world he inhabits is, in some respects, counterfeit, there’s nothing fake about Truman himself. No scripts, no cue cards. It isn’t always Shakespeare, but it’s genuine. It’s a life.
– Christof
[Emotional, almost to the point of tears] The point is, I would gladly step in front of traffic for you Truman. And the last thing I would ever do to you…
– Marlon
[Feeding Marlon his lines] … is lie to you.
– Christof
…is lie to you.
– Marlon
[Sailing in the artificially-roughened winds and seas – he shouts to the sky] Is that the best you can do?
– Truman
[Christof, in the “moon room”, whips around to face the screen, shocked]
You’re gonna have to kill me!
– Truman
[sings]
What do ya do with a drunken sailor? What do ya do with a drunken sailor? What do ya do with a drunken sailor ear-lye in the mor-nin’!
– Truman
[to an unseen Christof] Who are you?
– Truman
[on a speaker] I am the Creator – of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions.
– Christof
Then who am I?
– Truman
You’re the star.
– Christof
Was nothing real?
– Truman Burbank
You were real. That’s what made you so good to watch…
– Christof
We need more light, we’ll never find him this way. What time is it?
– Christof
It’s… way too early for that.
– Chloe
Cue the sun.
– Christof
How can anyone expect me to carry on under these conditions? It’s unprofessional!
– Meryl
[brandishing the “Chef’s Pal” kitchen multi-knife to keep him away from her] Truman! You are scaring me!
– Meryl
No. You’re scaring me, Meryl. What are you gonna do? Dice me, slice me or peel me? There’s so many CHOICES!
– Truman
As Truman grew up, we were forced to manufacture ways to keep him on the island.
– Christof
[flashback to Truman at school]
I like to be an explorer, like the great Magellan.
– Young Truman
[rolling down a map of the world] Oh, you’re too late. There’s really nothing left to explore.
– Teacher
The early bird gathers no moss! The rolling stone catches the worm!
– Truman
Christof, what’s going on? Do you know that there’s a rumor circulating that he’s dead? You hear me? The media is having a feeding frenzy with this, all the phone lines are jammed, and every network has a pirated shot of Marlon making an ass of himself in front of the cameras!
– Network Executive
The sponsors are threatening to rip up their contracts.
– Network Executive
[pointing at the “Technical fault. Please stand by” graphic] Why? We’re getting higher ratings with this graphic than we’ve ever had on this show.
– Christof
[holding up a jar of cocoa, slipping into advertising mode] Why don’t you let me fix you some of this Mococoa drink? All natural cocoa beans from the upper slopes of Mount Nicaragua. No artificial sweeteners.
– Meryl
[looking around] What the hell are you talking about? Who are you talking to?
– Truman
I’ve tasted other cocoas. This is the best.
– Meryl
I hereby proclaim this planet Trumania of the Burbank Galaxy.
– Truman
Lauren, right? It’s on your book.
– Truman Burbank
Lauren. Right. Right.
– Lauren
Well, I’m Truman.
– Truman Burbank
Yeah. I know. Look, Truman, I’m not allowed to talk to you. You know.
– Lauren
Yeah, well, I can understand, I’m a pretty dangerous character.
– Truman Burbank
Look at that sunset, Truman. It’s perfect.
– Marlon
Yeah.
– Truman
That’s the big guy. Quite a paint brush he’s got.
– Marlon
It was Dad. I swear! Dressed like a homeless man. And you know what else was strange? A business man and a woman with a little dog came out of nowhere and forced him onto a bus.
– Truman Burbank
Well! It’s about time they cleaned up the trash downtown before we become just like the rest of the country.
– Truman’s Mother