Reality (II) (2012)

Luciano is a charming fishmonger whose unexpected and sudden obsession with being a contestant on a reality show leads him down a rabbit hole of skewed perceptions and paranoia.

Director:

Matteo Garrone

Writers:

Matteo Garrone (story), Massimo Gaudioso (story),

Stars:

Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli, Nando Paone

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aniello Arena	...	Luciano
Loredana Simioli	...	Maria
Nando Paone	...	Michele
Nello Iorio	...	Massimone
Nunzia Schiano	...	Aunt Nunzia
Rosaria D'Urso	...	Aunt Rosaria
Giuseppina Cervizzi	...	Giusy
Claudia Gerini	...	TV hostess
Raffaele Ferrante	...	Enzo
Paola Minaccioni	...	Roman customer
Ciro Petrone	...	Bartender
Salvatore Misticone	...	Shoemaker
Vincenzo Riccio	...	Vincenzo
Martina Graziuso	...	Martina
Alessandra Scognamillo	...	Alessandra

Storyline

Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams together with his wife Maria. A likeable, entertaining guy, Luciano never misses an opportunity to perform for his customers and countless relatives. One day his family urge him to try out for Big Brother. In chasing this dream his perception of reality begins to change.

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Plot Keywords:

discotheque | southern italy | realism | pray | tv | 

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Taglines:

Follow Your Dreams!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian Neapolitan English Latin

Release Date:

28 September 2012 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Big House

Filming Locations:

Naples, Campania, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,072 (USA) (15 March 2013)

Gross:

$55,261 (USA) (5 April 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fandango, Archimede, Le Pacte

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

User Reviews

great actors at work on a very depressing topic

One of the things I have read more frequently about this movie is that, since it talks about the TV program "Big Brother", which in Italy has already reached the 12th season, it's supposed to be a decade late. Well: it's not, as the "Reality" mentioned in the title is obviously not the one of the TV-genre, but the actual one of nowadays Italy.

As Woody Allen wrote once, "life doesn't imitates art: imitates bad television". Following this line, the first scene is by far the more "fantastic" of the whole movie: we see an incredibly rich marriage ceremony, and we are not on TV or in any other fiction, but we are supposed to be in the real world - even if the settings and the outfits looks like a David LaChappelle picture. But later, when the guests go back to their homes, we see how theirs everyday "Reality" is made of poor dirty houses, impossibly crowded interiors, daily struggles and tricks to arrange a living. All places depicted completely lack any sign of awareness or responsible living in the world: newspapers doesn't exist, books are never read or shown, Internet is never searched – and receipts during commercial transactions are never issued. In this wasteland of culture and decency, feelings still grows. We can see that the main character still genuinely loves and care for his wife and kids, and he could be called, in his own way, a good family man. But disaster suddenly happens when his set of values proves to be not enough to properly relate with the ghosts of fame and success.

This "Bigbrother" thing, when it was introduced in Italy had some cultural appeal, and for some months represented something worthy to talk about. But it has quickly evolved in a tire and sad repetition of the same situations, that seems to aim at a lower target every further year: and after more than 10 years of lowering, now it doesn't have audiences anymore, but victims. This movie will show you how one of those victims undergoes his own sacrifice. So, be prepared: it can't be anything else than a very sad story – highlighted anyhow by some great actor performances.