Real Life (1979)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers:

Albert Brooks (written by)
Monica Mcgowan Johnson (written by)

Release Date:

23 March 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let he and his crew film their everyday lives...

Plot Keywords:

Reference To Paul Newman | Veterinarian | Film Maker | Film In Film | Suburb

Cast

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

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

In the first production meeting scene, producer Martin Brand rattles off some possible big-name stars that could be recruited to star in the reality movie -- "Where the hell's Paul Newman? Where's Redford? Where's Nicholson? . . ." He then suggests that the movie would make more money with Neil Diamond as the "star". A producer actually suggested Diamond for the Travis Bickle role in Taxi Driver (1976) (in which Albert Brooks had a supporting role).

Quotes:

Albert Brooks: I think we're very much alike. See that's why we can get into these kind of debates. I think you'd be surprised at much alike we really are.
Dr. Ted Cleary: I'd be more than surprised. I'd be suicidal.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "An American Family" (1973)

Soundtrack:

Jump Into The Fire

YOU spend the winter in Wisconsin!

In _Real Life_, Albert Brooks makes fun of just about anything: the movie industry, the 'nuclear family', intellectuals, horse owners, furniture refinishing, urine testing, technology, Wisconsin ...

This film is a gem. Every character is played so transparently that someone could be fooled into thinking Charles Grodin really is a disoriented and bumbling father and husband. Albert Brooks plays 'himself' to the point where he must have needed therapy after making this film.

Vanity projects are usually tedious. This turns the 'vanity' genre (yeah, there is one!) on its ear. And it's probably one of the most 'American' films I've ever seen. Great stuff!