esrosedotblog

I know, inside, there is something scarily wrong about the "reality" phenomena.

Matteo Garrone puts his finger on part of this in the fine, funny, scary film

Reality (2012)

A gregarious guy who is something of a showboat gets bitten by the fame bug and tries out for a Big Brother kind of show. Well, it actually says it is Big Brother. One of those where people live together and are shown on video 24/7.

Cheap tee eve.

As he waits to be interviewed and goes through the steps toward fame and fortune we actually only see his own experience of it although we can read between the lines. He is getting way out of proportion in his expectations and his beliefs that he has a chance on the show.

His family, less so his wife, support him to a fault and reinforce his fantasy.

Too big for his boots is just the beginning of it.

He also does some really stupid things.

There are some parts of this film where awkward doesn't quit describe the extent of his denial. At times, I wanted him to be right and at others to fail so miserably that he would quit. Or they would just call him and tell him it was no dice.

The film is very well done by the director of Gommorra a film that still makes me a little shaky when I think about it.

There are some people in this film who were in the first film. There is a fine exhibition of the type of actors and extras that Fellini made such a crucial part of his work. Garrone has the same inclinations and has made some great choices.

I told my husband that this was the other side of Italy, the one he may not see on a trip there. But there are some really spectacular locations and the family lives in a house that could only be there. Old, seemingly dilapidated with modern insides and totally beautiful to see. It steals every scene it supports.

This is a 4 or 5 out of Netflix5. It is very good but I am not sure that I could watch it again.

Labels: films