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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

Craig Gilbert, portrayed here by James Gandolfini, was the award-winning documentary filmmaker who created, wrote, directed, and produced the original An American Family (1973) series on PBS. Thanks to the controversy surrounding the iconic series, it would prove to be his final credit.

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Goofs

The Louds' Mercedes has a California plate with the number style 1AAA000. These plates did not appear until 1980.

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Quotes

Pat Loud: You do realize that we're being followed by a camera crew.

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Connections

References Jeopardy! (1984)

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Soundtracks

So Far Away
Written & Performed by Carole King
Courtesy of Epic Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Slight but enjoyable, with good work from Diane Lane

Minor, though still entertaining cable-made docudrama from directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini chronicling the would-be Sturm und Drang that went on behind-the-scenes of PBS's "American Family", an 11-hour television series in 1971 which presented the lives of The Louds, a "typical" family from Santa Barbara, CA. The Louds, who have since cemented their legacy as the first reality-TV family, brought in big ratings for the so-called "education network". Ordinary people, they were picked out of a society column by an ambitious producer and were followed around by a small camera-crew for some 78 days; still, high drama was hard to come by (patriarch Bill Loud had the wandering eye; eldest son Lance Loud was a flamboyant singer who had already moved to New York City when production began; while spouse Pat Loud, strong and confident, was the glue who kept kids and husband together). There wasn't much happening behind--nor in front of!--the lens, except for some mild flirting between Pat and the crafty, cunning producer, and Pat's discovery that her husband had been carrying on affairs with a number of different women. The editors of the actual show had a tough time piecing together enough watchable product, while this rendering of events, penned by the estimable David Seltzer, suffers the same fate. The groovy production-design is spot-on, and Diane Lane has several strong moments portraying Pat...yet this American family simply wasn't cliffhanger material. It all seems much ado about nothing.

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