Albert Brooks is psychic.
I mean, how else can your explain his first feature film, Real Life? The movie that predicted reality TV in such a biting way that you would think it was made today instead of thirty-plus years ago? Whatever dark forces you bargained with to get such powers, Mr. Brooks… I hope it was worth it.
Real Life is a movie right in my wheel house: a dark documentary-style film with a deep rich layer of satire. A spoof of the first reality show ever, An American Family, It’s also very very funny, with exceptional performances by Brooks and Charles Grodin. Brooks stars as the creator of a documentary about “the typical American family” (lead by Grodin), a documentary that goes so very very wrong.
You see, TV viewers don’t want to see everyday boring life…they already live that life, everyday. They want thrills, they want drama… And if the Arizona family that is being filmed doesn’t give “good footage,” well… Something has to be done about that.
This movie is one of the few films ever made that showcases how many of the Hollywood elite think of middle America, and the culture clash is both organic and brilliantly portrayed.
Brooks wrote directed and (as already mentioned) starred in this one… It’s his Citizen Kane. And it’s wonderful.
And it bombed.
He was recently interviewed in Vanity Fair (by Judd Apatow, of all people) and when he speaks of this film, he reminds us that “There’s no line at the bank for event ahead of your time.” A sad reminder that audiences sometime appreciate movies like this… And many other entries in this Neglected Cinema series… Long after it matters.
After being out of print for many man years, Real Life is available on DVD. Do check it out.