The Real Blonde (1997)

Joe and Mary have been living together in Manhattan for six years. Joe is an actor, who has no agent and no thesping credits, but whose ambitions are very high. He works as a waiter at a ... See full summary »

Director:

Tom DiCillo

Writer:

Tom DiCillo

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Catherine Keener, Daryl Hannah

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Modine	...	Joe
Catherine Keener	...	Mary
Daryl Hannah	...	Kelly
Maxwell Caulfield	...	Bob
Elizabeth Berkley	...	Tina
Marlo Thomas	...	Blair
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras	...	Sahara (as Bridgette Wilson)
Buck Henry	...	Dr. Leuter
Christopher Lloyd	...	Ernst
Kathleen Turner	...	Dee Dee Taylor
Denis Leary	...	Doug
Beatrice Winde	...	Wilma
Schecter Lee	...	Chang
John Tormey	...	Harassing Man
Wayne Parent	...	Blair's Assistant

Storyline

Joe and Mary have been living together in Manhattan for six years. Joe is an actor, who has no agent and no thesping credits, but whose ambitions are very high. He works as a waiter at a cafe. Mary works as a make-up stylist for hot fashion photographer Blair, and she pays most of the pair's bills. Joe finally lowers his standards and accepts a degrading bit in a Madonna video, while his friend and co-waiter Bob gets a high-paying job on a soap opera opposite siren Kelly.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | waiter | photographer | soap | underwear | 

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Taglines:

What you see isn't always what you get.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

27 February 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Verdadeira Loura

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$83,488 (USA) (27 February 1998)

Gross:

$247,745 (USA) (13 March 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lakeshore Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bronson Pickett's character's name, Rubio, means "blonde" in Spanish.

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Crazy Credits

A big wet one to SNIFFY MELONHEAD At D.W.M. Bulldozers

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Connections

References Falcon Crest (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Atom Bomb"
Performed by Fluke
Written by John Fugler, Michael Bryant and Michael Tournier

User Reviews

a delight

Tom DiCillo is a young director with a strong personal style much reminiscent of some of Hollywood's great directors of the 40's such as Lubitch, Leisen and Sturgess.

Like them his films are light, socially critical and above all reveal a genuine affection for his characters so often lacking in the films of his contemporaries.

This is a world of ruthless superficiality. Appearance is

everything and hence the ultimate prize, a real blonde.

In this world we find Joe (Matthew Modine) and Mary (Catherine Keener), he a somewhat gawky 35 year old struggling actor waiting tables while waiting for his big chance for a real acting role, preferably "Death of a Salesman". But instead there's a role in a Madonna video, the chance of a soap opera part, and maybe a serial killer in the offering.

Mary is a makeup artist for photographic models needing constant attention as well as emotional support in their delusional lives. By night she attends a self defence class to deal with men on the street who see her as a female for their pleasure.

The problems of their survival in such a world, both as individuals as well as a relationship in danger, are dealt with insight and above all affection. In true Hollywood tradition the true values prevail.

Both Matthew Modine and Catherine Keener give marvellous performances and their are some fine cameos from Marlo Thomas, Dennis Leary and Steve Buscemi.

DiCillo is a director to watch and hopefully he will continue to develope and make movies as charming as this one.