dougdoepke
Comedian Brooks tries hard, probably too hard, while the script makes a hash of Hollywood satire. Playing a moviemaker in the film, actor Brooks' promising idea is to document a year in the life of a typical American family. Trouble is that he's so full of himself and his ideas, he can't leave the family alone long enough to act out their own lives. Worse, he's got a battery of distracting psychologists analyzing the minutiae (coffee cups) of the family's daily life. So, what starts out as a promising docu idea, ends up a fiasco.Actually, my little recap makes events sound more coherent than they are. All in all, the movie's really a mess, despite occasionally funny moments. No doubt about it, Brooks has an inventive flair (the space-helmet cameras, for one). But in this movie, too many of his ideas simply cascade forth, remaining ill-formed (the psychologists), or plain non-starters (the dead horse, the gynecology office). Still, the latter raise a thought-provoking question- that is, just how broad should a real life account be. Should it include bathroom trips, for example. And if a line is drawn, where should it be and why. The issue is raised somewhat in the movie, but stumbles around with neither depth nor laughs. Looks to me like a critical eye was needed in addition to the three writers (Brooks & Co.). That is, someone who could weed out the losers and shape the winners. After all, the premise itself remains a promising one. Too bad that the humorous Grodin is wasted in a deadpan role that preempts his often subtle brand of comedy. I kept hoping I'd see some trace of his churlish shtick, but it's frozen deadpan all the way.Anyway, I'm not usually an advocate of re-makes, but here, in more disciplined hands, the results could be both thought-provoking and knee-slapping. As things stand, the movie fails on both accounts.
paul2001
This is, of course, a very funny film (it's Albert Brooks, after all). But it also shows the quantum uncertainty in "reality" television. By attempting to observe the experiment, the experiment is altered.
Albert Brooks and his film crew follow the hapless family in "Real Life", dressed in bizarre helmet-cams. Charles Grodin, his wife and children can't help but be constantly aware that cameras are present, and this leads to all sorts of atypical behaviour.I mention CBS' reality shows in my summary because I remember seeing one of the Survivor contestants on "Politically Incorrect" claim that after a short while they forgot the cameras were on the island with them. What she couldn't grasp -- but Albert Brooks does -- was that while the cameras weren't foremost in their minds all the time, you can't help but be influenced by the peripheral knowledge that a big Betacam camera and mike boom are just a few feet from your so-called "reality".
connerg-2
I think what most filmmakers say when they watch a great film is "I wish I made that movie". This is one of those movies. Not only is this a comedy classic, I would say that this movie is ground breaking. And way ahead of its time. Albert Brooks, proves that he is one of the funniest comedians ever, and in my opinion one of the best actors on the screen. And the ending is simply brilliant, and at the same time "Hilarious". I would like to tell you more, "But I don't have the time, or the cord!"
jcosper
This movie killed me! I got it off the PVT sale rack at Blockbuster. A major find, if you ask me. You can't even begin to describe Albert Brooks' humor. It's so complex, you have to see it to understand. Once you understand, you'll laugh your head off!
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