Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Real Blonde (1997)
Director: Tom DiCillo
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This attempt at combining satirical comedy with deeply felt emotional drama is only fitfully successful. One minute, he's mocking the inanities of the New York film, fashion and music industries. The next, he's scratching over the relationship between his antagonists, struggling actor Modine and make-up artist Keener, with Bergman-like intensity. There are some wonderful moments along the way - Keener beating up her martial arts tutor (Leary) or Modine as a pimpled, white-skinned extra in a Madonna video. Caulfield is sardonic and funny as the louche young seducer/soap opera star who shrivels up when he has the chance to make love with a real blonde (Hannah). Modine is enjoyably sanctimonious as the Arthur Miller-spouting young thesp, but, bizarrely, director DiCillo, while mocking everybody else, seems to take him at face value.Author: GM
Cast & crew
Director: Tom DiCillo
Producer: Marcus Viscidi, Tom Rosenberg
Cast: Matthew Modine, Catherine Keener, Daryl Hannah, Kathleen Turner, Maxwell Caulfield, Elizabeth Berkley, Buck Henry, Christopher Lloyd, Denis Leary, Steve Buscemi full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 105 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now