Cinema Verite (2011)

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the first American family to be the subjects of a reality TV show.

Directors:

Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Writer:

David Seltzer

Stars:

Diane Lane, Tim Robbins, James Gandolfini

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 31 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diane Lane	...	Pat Loud
Tim Robbins	...	Bill Loud
James Gandolfini	...	Craig Gilbert
Thomas Dekker	...	Lance Loud
Caitlin Custer	...	Delilah Loud
Kaitlyn Dever	...	Michele Loud
Nick Eversman	...	Grant Loud
Johnny Simmons	...	Kevin Loud
Patrick Fugit	...	Alan Raymond
Shanna Collins	...	Susan Raymond
Jake Richardson	...	Tommy Goodwin
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Mary Every
Lolita Davidovich	...	Val
Matt O'Leary	...	Cameron
Stephen Caffrey	...	Tom

Storyline

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the first American family to be the subjects of a reality TV show.

---

Plot Keywords:

reference to the rolling stones | reference to mick jagger | reference to andy warhol | reference to joe namath | reference to richard nixon | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Lance Loud is on the phone with his family, he reads a media description of himself and his "flamboyant, leech-like homosexuality". That's a direct quote from an article written for The New York Times by Anne Roiphe. She made equally scathing remarks about the entire Loud family.

---

Goofs

During the band's rendition of "Won't get fooled again" the bass player obviously is not playing what we hear.

---

Connections

References Jeopardy! (1984)

---

Soundtracks

Can't Find My Way Home
Written & Performed by Steve Winwood
Courtesy of Wincraft Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Strong film about a documentary series that rocked the nation

Surprisingly successful HBO film, which takes on the tricky multi-layered task of making a fictionalized docudrama about the making of "An American Family" a 10 hour PBS documentary that was the direct forerunner the surreal and semi-real world of 'reality television' we know today.

James Gandolfini plays James Gilbert, who has the brilliant idea to study a 'typical' American Family on film, almost as if it were an archaeological document. But of course no family is 'typical' (particularly the upscale Loud family), and all sorts of sticky moral, ethical and cinematic walls are crashed into. How objective can a documentary really be? What is, or should be off-limits of a prying camera? How much do the personalities and needs of the film-makers effect the behavior and choices subjects, subtly or sometimes very dramatically?

It also explores questions about family, as did the original series, but with the value of the passage of years to give context and distance. What is normal? Who are the heroes and villains in the complexities of family life? Are things ever that simple? Why do so many of us want to be seen, known? Or at least think we do?

It's very impressive that an 86 minute film can address so many of these questions so intelligently, entertainingly, disturbingly and ultimately movingly. The acting is all solid, with Diane Lane giving what may be the most impressive performance of her career, disappearing into the role of Pat Loud, the confused, self-searching mother.

While one could validly argue that there was more to explore (e.g. why was this series such a phenomenon? Why are we so driven to watch the train wrecks of other's lives?) this film does a terrific job of self-awarely playing with multiple layers and meanings of 'reality'. Not least when we briefly see footage of the real family cut in. Not surprising from these filmmakers, who also played with various levels of drama vs. reality so well in "American Splendor".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cinema Verite

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Pariah

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1