Real Life 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 79
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Albert Brooks’ 'Real Life' is an eerily prescient satire on reality TV, now presented in a fabulous 4K restoration by Criterion with high-quality video, audio, and valuable extras.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Video: 83
Criterion’s 4K UHD remaster of 'Real Life' offers a clean and crisp visual experience with bold colors, noticeable grain, and enhanced detail; despite the film's unpolished look, the HDR in the 1.85:1 transfer brings improved clarity and color balance, making this the definitive version.
Audio: 90
The 4K UHD Blu Ray of 'Real Life' features a restored English LPCM 1.0 mono audio track, delivering clear, stable dialogue and rich music with no signs of aging. Despite the inherent limitations of mono, the track is well-preserved, maintaining crisp vocals and minimal distortion, suited for its late-1970s origin.
Extra: 57
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of 'Real Life' lacks bonus features on the 4K disc, but offers a substantive collection on the Blu-ray disc including new interviews with Albert Brooks and Frances Lee McCain, a 3D trailer, and an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic A. S. Hamrah.
Movie: 71
Albert Brooks' 'Real Life' (1979), now on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Criterion, sharply satirizes the concept of reality television with innovative head-mounted camera systems and a mockumentary format that predates modern reality TV. Despite moments of absurdity and unintentional self-destruction, it remains a fascinating, hilarious glimpse into Hollywood's delusion of "real" America.
Video: 83
Criterion's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Real Life" boasts a 1.85:1 anamorphic 2160p transfer restored from the 35mm original camera negative. This new 4K restoration, supervised and approved by director Albert Brooks, is impressive. The high dynamic range (HDR) presentation elevates the visuals, offering bolder and brighter colors along with dramatically improved detail compared to previous releases. While the film's intentionally un-polished look, accompanied by a heavy grain in certain sequences, may not showcase the full potential of 4K, the image remains clean, crisp, and well-balanced.
When comparing the 4K disc to the included Blu-ray, there are definitive advantages in native 4K resolution. Backgrounds appear slightly better defined, and the dynamic range is notably enhanced, although the difference is subtle. The overall color reproduction is superb, with primary colors and supporting hues looking lush and well-balanced. Image stability is excellent, devoid of problematic digital corrections. Despite some density fluctuations inherent to the original cinematography, the tight visuals in native 4K help minimize these inconsistencies.
Overall, this 4K restoration complements the intentionally unrefined aesthetic of "Real Life," making it the best home video experience available for the film. The Blu-ray version offers a comparable visual experience though with marginally reduced fine detail. This release solidifies its place within Criterion's high standards, ensuring that fans can appreciate this classic film in its finest possible form.
Audio: 90
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Real Life" features an English LPCM 1.0 mono audio track, meticulously restored from the original 35mm magnetic track. Dialogue clarity is outstanding, with crisp, sharp, and stable exchanges throughout the film. Dynamic intensity is understandably modest, reflecting the late-1970s production era, which lacks high-octane action sequences. Notably, even in chaotic scenes with random noises, the track maintains an impressive balance without noticeable dynamic fluctuations.
Despite its inherent limitations as a mono track, the audio presentation is both clean and well-replicated. The dialogue remains the centerpiece, delivered at a proper volume level and free from significant distortion or degradation, highlighting Mort Lindsey’s memorable, whistled theme score. Occasional instances of harshness are present but do not detract significantly from the overall experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are also provided, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.
Extra: 57
The 4K UHD release of "Real Life" offers a succinct yet valuable collection of extras, all hosted on the Blu-ray disc. Albert Brooks provides an engaging 31-minute reflection on the film’s conception and its behind-the-scenes nuances, shedding light on his comedic deconstruction process. Actress Frances Lee McCain contributes a concise but insightful 15-minute segment, sharing her experiences working with Brooks. The package includes a fascinating 4-minute 3D trailer directed by Brooks, which serves as a nostalgic nod to the film’s original release. Additionally, an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic A.S. Hamrah enriches the contextual understanding of the film.
Extras included in this disc:
- Albert Brooks: Brooks reflects on the conception and production of Real Life.
- Frances Lee McCain: McCain shares her experience working on Real Life.
- 3D Trailer: Original trailer directed by Albert Brooks.
- Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by A.S. Hamrah and technical credits.
Movie: 71
Albert Brooks’ "Real Life" (1979), arriving on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion, is a perceptive and prescient satire that humorously dissects reality television long before it became cultural mainstream. Directed, written, and starred in by Brooks, the film is a mockumentary inspired by PBS's 1973 series "An American Family," where Brooks takes his aim at the ordinary Yeager family in Phoenix, Arizona, with the use of unconventional head-mounted cameras. The narrative initially follows a structured path but soon spirals into a vivid portrayal of the overwhelming impact of constant surveillance and fame on regular lives. The Yeagers’ brush with the chaotic intrusion soon escalates, exposing the darker, often ironic clash between real life and its portrayal.
Brooks portrays himself—or rather a heightened version of himself—diving into the Yeagers' suburban existence with ambitious plans of academic research and cinematic revolution. However, as the family members adjust their behavior to the omnipresent cameras, the project quickly derails. Jeanette Yeager (Frances Lee McCain) destabilizes family dynamics, and Warren Yeager (Charles Grodin), in a tragically comedic turn, botches a crucial veterinary case. Brooks's mock-serious interruptions aim to clarify but oftentimes reaffirm the absurdity underlining his project. The film culminates in an absurdly chaotic sequence, leaving the audience amidst a firestorm both literally and figuratively—the narrative implosion itself becomes an inadvertent comedic spectacle.
Real Life’s significance lies in its unintended self-destruction and sharp critique of Hollywood's delusional grasp on authenticity. Each scene meticulously layers humor with profound commentary on fame’s corrosive nature, amplified by Brooks's neurotic, nearly farcical guidance. Collaborating with screenwriters Monica Johnson and Harry Shearer, Brooks ensures each moment strides between satire and absurdity, cementing the film’s legacy as pioneering the mockumentary genre. Decades later, Real Life’s sharp depiction of manufactured reality remains hilariously relevant and timelessly insightful.
Total: 79
Criterion's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Real Life" offers a compelling and multi-faceted experience that appeals to both film aficionados and comedy enthusiasts. Albert Brooks' 1979 directorial debut, inspired by the landmark 1973 PBS broadcast "An American Family," brillianty satirizes the burgeoning reality television culture while providing a masterclass in early mockumentary filmmaking. Brooks navigates the nuances of human behavior with an assured hand, predicting an era where reality TV would become a dominating force. This Criterion Collection edition boasts a fabulous new 4K restoration, resulting in stunning visuals and impressive audio clarity that elevate the viewing experience.
The Criterion release truly shines with its additional supplements, providing substantive contextual content that deepens the appreciation for Brooks' work. The restoration ensures that "Real Life" holds up magnificently on modern displays, thanks to careful attention to detail during the transfer process. Despite some critical discourse comparing it unfavorably with Luis Bunuel's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie," there's no denying Brooks' film's authentic humor and insightful cultural commentary. The package is not just a presentation but an immersion into Brooks' visionary but thoroughly relatable world.
Even though Albert Brooks' directorial debut was inspired by a popular 1970s reality TV series, it actually spends most of its time mimicking what Luis Bunuel's legendary film "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" does. It mocks with great enthusiasm, deconstructs, and tries hard to be illuminating. Unfortunately, Brooks cannot replicate the savage wit and humorous satire of "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie," even after he effectively begins competing for the spotlight with the Yeagers. Criterion's combo pack introduces a fabulous new 4K restoration of "Real Life," which looks terrific on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. RECOMMENDED only to the fans.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content....
Audio: 100
Dynamic intensity is modest, but this is to be expected from a late-1970s film without any high-octane action material....
Extras: 50
BLU-RAY DISC Albert Brooks - in this new program, Albert Brooks talks about his love of "deconstructing comedies" and discusses the conception of Real Life, what the film was supposed to accomplish, and...
Movie: 50
Like The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, it is supposed to produce a mix of absurd and hilarious material, and, in the process, bombard its audience with a wide range of truths about real America and...
Total: 60
Unfortunately, Brooks cannot replicate the savage wit and humorous satire of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, even after he effectively begins competing for the spotlight with the Yeagers....
Blu-ray Authority review by Matt BrightonRead review here
Video: 90
Real Life has gotten a new 4K re-master and though it’s not the kind of film that screams “I need to be seen in 4K”, it does help with the overall image (obvious pun intended)....
Audio: 90
The music and sound effects are well replicated and full, but like I said, this is mono and as such, the range is limited from the start here....
Extras: 50
Frances Lee McCain – We get a knocked down version of the above segment with actress Frances Lee McCain, but it’s also new so there’s something to be said for that....
Movie: 0
Albert Brooks thinks so and to prove his belief, he and a team of cameramen have invaded a typical home, to document what real life is like for these people....
Total: 80
Criterion’s disc looks and sounds great and the addition of a few new supplements is always welcome....
Home Theater Forum review by soonercineasteRead review here
Video: 70
There is a heavy amount of grain at various points, but the bulk of the film is clean, crisp and clear, with certain sequences standing out with a bit more visual pop than others....
Audio: 90
The original monoaural (1.0) soundtrack has also, per the included booklet, been restored from the original 35mm magnetic track....
Extras: 80
“Albert Brooks on Real Life” (30:25; 1.85:1 anamorphic) is an engaging, newly filmed interview with the now 77-year-old actor, director and writer, who expounds about the making of his debut feature film,...
Movie: 100
The heightened version of Brooks eagerly lays out the stakes, explaining that a dedicated camera crew will film every scrap of the Yeagers’ lives for 12 months, and the resulting film will change the very...
Total: 80
Released in 1979, a good 28 years before “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” entered the cultural lexicon, writer-director-star Albert Brooks deftly satirizes the entire concept of reality television (drawing...
Director: Albert Brooks
Actors: Dick Haynes, Albert Brooks, Matthew Tobin
PlotA self-absorbed filmmaker embarks on an ambitious project to revolutionize the documentary genre by capturing the real, unfiltered life of an average American family. He selects a seemingly ordinary household in Phoenix, Arizona, comprised of a veterinarian, his wife, and their two children. Armed with a highly advanced, obtrusive camera system, he aims to document their every action and conversation. Expecting raw authenticity, the filmmaker finds that his constant presence and intrusive equipment gradually start to influence the family's behavior, creating an atmosphere of exaggerated, self-conscious performances rather than genuine moments.
As days turn into weeks, the imposed scrutiny from the ever-present cameras begins to strain familial relationships. The intended pure observation morphs into a disruptive force, leading the family members to question their interactions and decisions. The filmmaker's increasing obsession with obtaining groundbreaking content only exacerbates the situation. The once-cohesive unit starts showing cracks, both emotionally and psychologically, as they struggle to reconcile their real selves with the projected personas dictated by the omnipresent lenses. This experiment in "real life" slowly unravels into a chaos reminiscent of a scripted drama, highlighting the paradox of capturing true reality under artificial observation.
Writers: Monica Mcgowan Johnson, Harry Shearer, Albert Brooks
Release Date: 23 Mar 1979
Runtime: 99 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English