Watch Real Life

Real Life is a 1979 American comedy film directed by Albert Brooks, who also co-wrote the screenplay along with Harry Shearer. The movie follows a documentary filmmaker, also named Albert Brooks, as he attempts to turn an average American family's life into a television show. Along the way, he becomes fully immersed in the family's life and neuroses, leading to unexpected consequences.

The opening scenes of the film introduce us to Albert Brooks' character, whose obsession with capturing real life on camera leads him to dismiss his previous successes and venture out into new territory: creating a show that documents the lives of real people. He pitches the idea to executives at a major network and is given the green light to choose a family and begin filming.

After an extensive search, Brooks selects the Yeagers, an average family from Phoenix, Arizona. The family includes a father, mother, and two teenage children. Brooks instructs the Yeagers to carry on with their lives as they normally would, while he and his team follow them with cameras and microphones. Initially, the Yeagers are hesitant but eventually warm up to the idea and allow Brooks to document their every move.

As filming progresses, Brooks' obsession with capturing the perfect shot leads him to manipulate the Yeagers in order to create more interesting television. He encourages them to engage in arguments and conflict, and even stages a fake burglary to add drama to the show. The Yeagers become increasingly uncomfortable with the cameras constantly following them and begin to feel like prisoners in their own home.

Things reach their breaking point when Brooks falls in love with the Yeager's teenage daughter, and his desire to capture their intimate moments for the show causes him to overstep his boundaries. The family finally revolts, demanding that the cameras be turned off and forcing Brooks to confront the consequences of his obsession with his work.

Throughout the film, Brooks' character navigates the challenges of creating an authentic documentary while dealing with his own insecurities and obsessions. The movie is a satirical take on reality television, and how the pursuit of 'realness' can sometimes lead to the exploitation of real people. It also explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.

Real Life was groundbreaking in its use of metafiction and self-referential humor. Though it was released over 40 years ago, it remains relevant today in its commentary on the impact of media on our lives and the dangers of valuing 'realness' above ethics and human dignity.

The film is carried by Albert Brooks' trademark dry humor and deadpan delivery, as well as his sharp observational skills. The rest of the cast, particularly the Yeager family, deliver believable performances that capture the confusion and discomfort of being constantly under a microscope.

Real Life is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of cinema, particularly in the realm of comedy and satire. It's a witty and thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning the role of media in our lives and the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

Real Life is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes.