Real Life
An American Comedy
In his directorial debut, Albert Brooks (The Muse, Mother) brings his special brand of madness to the screen in "Real Life." A precursor to the reality based TV shows which have become part of America's pop culture, Brooks' film presents a hilarious account of what happens to a typical American family when a group of filmmakers moves in with them to record "real life." Brooks heads up the crew that invades the Phoenix household of Charles Grodin, Frances Lee McCain and their children. The results are disastrous...and hysterically funny.
Member Reviews
A prescient landmark - rnhaas
This is quite the film. It is remarkably prescient; like Network that way. It's not necessarily the funniest thing but that isn't the point. It shows reality TV the dangers of reality TV before reality TV existed. It would be a true classic if only for Brooks. I know he wrote and directed it, but there is a little too much of his shtick, especially at the otherwise fantastic ending. A classic, though.A Movie Ahead of ITs Time but Perfect for Now - Mookie
I was amazed while watching this movie that it was done in 1979 before the glut of reality TV, because it is a perfect commentary on reality TV - much better than any of the more recent looks (Truman Show, Ed Tv). Albert Brooks' humour is very deadpan and understated but I love it for that reason. The things that are happening are absurd but played so straight it takes a while to catch on to the humour. But there is a lot of humour in this film and I was laughing aloud throughout the film.
If there is one critique I had of it, it is the fact that there seemed to be a few directions it wanted to go with the story. Is it a failed experiment? Is it about him failing as a director? Is it about this perfect family not being so perfect when put under the microscope?
Aside from that, this is a great comedy, and it's a shame we don't get more comedies like this; Witty commentaries on a flaw in our society, with sharp, understated (but very funny) humour.Decent Early Albert Brooks Movie - SkyWatcher
While this movie doesn't even come close to Albert Brooks classics like Lost In America or Defending Your Life, Brooks is always fun to watch, and the concept is way ahead of it's time. Real Life is about a TV show that follows a real family, and all the problems that ensue. It's not as funny as one would hope, but it's entertaining enough and displays Brooks' future promise.
Member Reviews
Read All...
A prescient landmark - rnhaas
This is quite the film. It is remarkably prescient; like Network that way. It's not necessarily the funniest thing but that isn't the point. It shows reality TV the dangers of reality TV before reality TV existed. It would be a true classic if only for ...A Movie Ahead of ITs Time but Perfect for Now - Mookie
I was amazed while watching this movie that it was done in 1979 before the glut of reality TV, because it is a perfect commentary on reality TV - much better than any of the more recent looks (Truman Show, Ed Tv). Albert Brooks' humour is very deadpan and ...Decent Early Albert Brooks Movie - SkyWatcher
While this movie doesn't even come close to Albert Brooks classics like Lost In America or Defending Your Life, Brooks is always fun to watch, and the concept is way ahead of it's time. Real Life is about a TV show that follows a real family, and all the problems ...