Real Life (1979)

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers:

Albert Brooks (writer)
Monica Mcgowan Johnson (writer)

Release Date:

23 March 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let he and his crew film their everyday lives...

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star | Documentary Crew | Reality TV | Fake Documentary | Film In Film

Cast

Dick Haynes	...	Councilman Harris
Albert Brooks	...	Albert Brooks
Matthew Tobin	...	Dr. Howard Hill
J.A. Preston	...	Dr. Ted Cleary
Joseph Schaffler	...	Paul Lowell
Phyllis Quinn	...	Donna Stanley
James Ritz	...	Jack from Cincinnati
Clifford Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Harry Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Mandy Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
Karen Einstein	...	Role Reversal Family Member
James L. Brooks	...	Driving Evaluator
Zeke Manners	...	Driver
Charles Grodin	...	Warren Yeager
Frances Lee McCain	...	Jeannette Yeager

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

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 Redford? Where's 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 (1976) (in which Albert Brooks had a supporting role).

Quotes:

Albert Brooks: I think we're very much alike. See that's why we can get into these kind of debates. I think you'd be surprised at much alike we really are.
Dr. Ted Cleary: I'd be more than surprised. I'd be suicidal.

Movie Connections:

References Jaws (1975)

Soundtrack:

Something's Gotta Give

Albert Brooks is the ultimate farceur.

'Real life' is the perfect send-up of the worst scenario possible for a film maker shooting a documentary, i.e., what happens when your subject matter loses interest in the project before completion? Albert Brooks, as the seemingly besieged director of this 'loaf of reality' year long vigil with a typical American family, walks a fine line between egomania and neuroticism and scores with broad belly laughs both ways. Charles Grodin as the head of the suburban clan from which this film within a film emanates exudes his special brand of bland exuberance at the beginning of this captive camera stakeout inside his home(and everywhere else he may go) provided his life is depicted as letter perfect from day to day. When such is not the case and the obtrusive lenses are interfering with his job as a veterinarian, (in a sequence that has to be seen rather than described) then Grodin regards the camera presence as nothing more than an albatross and mentally switches himself off. Albert Brooks, meanwhile, never says quit. Every so-called hair in the eye of the lense is still a perfect scene regardless of the participation or lack of it, thereof, from his celluloid family. For Brooks regards this film as 'paramount'(oops) over the desires of his cast of characters. Brooks facile mind works methodically from beginning to end. From his perspective, nothing can go wrong, everything is in its place with a place for everything. So when his documentary and the human equation around it blow up in his face , his conferences with colleagues are hilarious as he tries various remedies to salvage not only his project but his self-image. Brooks is a comic delight as a man who cannot take criticism regarding his methods and his interaction with project staff are decidedly one-sided, but in the capable hands of this farceur, his myopic viewpoint is always good for guffaws galore. Real life should be this funny.