Edit
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". Written by
frankfob2@yahoo.com
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Edit
Did You Know?
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 [
Robert Redford]? Where's [
Jack 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 (in which
Albert Brooks had a supporting role).
See more »
Quotes
Martin Brand:
[
on speakerphone]
Albert, may I interrupt for one minute please? People aren't gonna walk out of a theater saying, "I don't like that guy... that guy that holds the cup with one hand, with two hands ... "
Albert Brooks:
Absolutely.
Martin Brand:
I'll tell you what they DO have a good chance of saying: "Where the hell is Paul Newman? Where's Redford? Where's Nicholson?" Believe me they prefer Nicholson with the cup than the cup with the other guy.
See more »
Connections
References
Jaws (1975)
See more »
Soundtracks
"Something's Gotta Give"
Written by
Johnny Mercer See more »
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!