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Real Life
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Real Life (1979) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   786 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Albert Brooks (written by)
Monica Mcgowan Johnson (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Real Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 March 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let he and his crew film their everyday lives... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
YOU spend the winter in Wisconsin! more (17 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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
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Additional Details

Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Albert Brooks was under a great deal of pressure to finish the film on-budget, because he would have been personally responsible for any extra costs. During one particularly difficult filming day, he sat feeling totally dejected. Charles Grodin walked up to him and said, "I have to leave at 4." This totally ridiculous request was sufficient to cheer Brooks up. more
Quotes:
Martin Brand: [after one of Albert's rants] Albert, what the hell are you talking about? Look, let's not argue - say the family's fine, say the family's perfect. Let's talk about YOU for a minute. Look what YOU'VE done. You FAILED - that's what you did, you shmuck, you failed. You started out with this artsy-craftsy reality crap and what did you end up with... more
Movie Connections:
Spoofs "An American Family" (1973) more
Soundtrack:
Something's Gotta Give more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
YOU spend the winter in Wisconsin!, 4 January 2006
9/10
Author: Justafilmwatcher from Canada

In _Real Life_, Albert Brooks makes fun of just about anything: the movie industry, the 'nuclear family', intellectuals, horse owners, furniture refinishing, urine testing, technology, Wisconsin ...

This film is a gem. Every character is played so transparently that someone could be fooled into thinking Charles Grodin really is a disoriented and bumbling father and husband. Albert Brooks plays 'himself' to the point where he must have needed therapy after making this film.

Vanity projects are usually tedious. This turns the 'vanity' genre (yeah, there is one!) on its ear. And it's probably one of the most 'American' films I've ever seen. Great stuff!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (17 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Real Life (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Montage semiretard
'Real Life' trailer in 3D! larry-618
Reality TV begins here BNJ61
Ettnauer 226XL! misternuvistor
way ahead of it's time teejay6682
Where is Lisa Urette? uncapie
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