Even funnier (and more relevant) than upon its initial release in 1978, Albert Brooks' satirical feature debut--inspired by the landmark PBS series An American Family, chronicling the "real lives" of the Loud family--stars Brooks as himself: an opportunistic filmmaker who invades the Yeager family household (headed up by wonderful comic turns from pop Charles Grodin and mom Frances Lee McCain). Whether capturing tense family suppers, gynecological check-ups, or Brooks' incessant wheedling with his steadily unraveling subjects, Real Life is a genuine hoot that makes today's reality-based programming seem incredibly dull. The sharp looking widescreen DVD transfer is backed by Dolby Digital (mono) sound and the disc includes a characteristically entertaining interview with Brooks. Recommended. (R. Pitman)
Real Life
Paramount, 98 min., PG, $29.95 Vol. 16, Issue 2
Real Life
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