The Real Blonde (1997)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Tom DiCillo

Writer:

Tom DiCillo (written by)

Release Date:

27 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

What you see isn't always what you get.

Plot:

Joe and Mary have been living together in Manhattan for six years. Joe is an actor, who has no agent and no thesping credits...

Plot Keywords:

Photographer | Actor | Waiter | Soap | Flatulence

Cast

Matthew Modine	...	Joe
Catherine Keener	...	Mary
Daryl Hannah	...	Kelly
Maxwell Caulfield	...	Bob
Elizabeth Berkley	...	Tina
Marlo Thomas	...	Blair
Bridgette Wilson	...	Sahara
Buck Henry	...	Dr. Leuter
Christopher Lloyd	...	Ernst
Kathleen Turner	...	Dee Dee Taylor
Denis Leary	...	Doug
Beatrice Winde	...	Wilma
Schecter Lee	...	Chang
John Tormey	...	Harassing Man
Wayne Parent	...	Blair's Assistant

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Belgium:KT | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Lakeshore Entertainment

Trivia:

Bronson Pickett's character's name, Rubio, means "blonde" in Spanish.

Movie Connections:

Follows Living in Oblivion (1995)

Soundtrack:

Atom Bomb

a delight

Tom DiCillo is a young director with a strong personal style much reminiscent of some of Hollywood's great directors of the 40's such as Lubitch, Leisen and Sturgess.

Like them his films are light, socially critical and above all reveal a genuine affection for his characters so often lacking in the films of his contemporaries.

This is a world of ruthless superficiality. Appearance is

everything and hence the ultimate prize, a real blonde.

In this world we find Joe (Matthew Modine) and Mary (Catherine Keener), he a somewhat gawky 35 year old struggling actor waiting tables while waiting for his big chance for a real acting role, preferably "Death of a Salesman". But instead there's a role in a Madonna video, the chance of a soap opera part, and maybe a serial killer in the offering.

Mary is a makeup artist for photographic models needing constant attention as well as emotional support in their delusional lives. By night she attends a self defence class to deal with men on the street who see her as a female for their pleasure.

The problems of their survival in such a world, both as individuals as well as a relationship in danger, are dealt with insight and above all affection. In true Hollywood tradition the true values prevail.

Both Matthew Modine and Catherine Keener give marvellous performances and their are some fine cameos from Marlo Thomas, Dennis Leary and Steve Buscemi.

DiCillo is a director to watch and hopefully he will continue to develope and make movies as charming as this one.