Real Life (1979)

A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their everyday lives, in the manner of the ground-breaking PBS series "An American Family". However, ... See full summary »

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers:

Albert Brooks, Monica Mcgowan Johnson,

Stars:

Dick Haynes, Albert Brooks, Matthew Tobin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Haynes	...	Councilman Harris
Albert Brooks	...	Albert Brooks
Matthew Tobin	...	Dr. Howard Hill
J.A. Preston	...	Dr. Ted Cleary
Joseph Schaffler	...	Paul Lowell
Phyllis Quinn	...	Donna Stanley
James Ritz	...	Jack from Cincinnati
Clifford Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Harry Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Mandy Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Karen Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
James L. Brooks	...	Driving Evaluator
Zeke Manners	...	Driver
Charles Grodin	...	Warren Yeager
Frances Lee McCain	...	Jeannette Yeager

Storyline

A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their everyday lives, in the manner of the ground-breaking PBS series "An American Family". However, instead of remaining unobtrusive and letting the family be themselves, he can't keep himself from trying to control every facet of their lives "for the good of the show".

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Plot Keywords:

documentary crew | husband wife relationship | actor playing himself | family relationships | spoof | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aus dem Leben gegriffen

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Albert Brooks was under a great deal of pressure to finish the film on-budget, because he would have been personally responsible for any extra costs. During one particularly difficult filming day, he sat feeling totally dejected. Charles Grodin walked up to him and said, "I have to leave at 4." This totally ridiculous request was sufficient to cheer Brooks up.

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Quotes

Albert Brooks: I don't remember a time in my whole life when I haven't been close to complete personality disintegration! And how the hell would you know what these people are feeling anyway? From your Mickey Mouse tests?
Dr. Hayward: Don't blame the tests for what they tell us.
Albert Brooks: Oh, I don't blame them. They're great! Why don't we do more, huh? More tests! I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you, Nolan? Want to get that cup again? Come on, we'll get you lots of cups! Maybe a hundred cups! I'll tell you something about you ...

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Connections

Spoofs An American Family (1973)

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Soundtracks

"Something's Gotta Give"
Written by Johnny Mercer

User Reviews

"I'm a comedian, not a liar..."

Albert Brooks, earlier in his career, may not have been the most appealing person in show business, but his screen persona was then certainly one of the funniest: insecure, obsessive, vain, and obnoxious enough to make his low-key, self-deprecating satires a definite acquired taste. In this mock cinema verité parody of a then topical PBS reality series he attempts to document on camera one year in the life of the second-most typical family in America (the runner-up was preferred in order to avoid a winter in Green Bay, Wisconsin). But the scientific enquiry meets with several unforeseen obstacles, not the least of which is a complete breakdown of the actuality Brooks wants so desperately to capture. Charles Grodin's typically deadpan performance sets the proper comic mood, and the scenario includes plenty of cinema in-jokes sure to raise a chuckle from any film student (it might have been titled 'Reel Life'). One highlight is the slow-motion family frolic meant to show highbrow French critics what the word 'montage' is all about.