Echt blond

I will start by saying Tom Dicillo's "Box of Moonlight" was the very best film I have ever had the great pleasure in watching. It was a highly symbolic, magical experience that had almost a spiritual feel to it. I knew his 1998 release, probably an attempt to return to his "Living in Oblivion" themes, "The Real Blonde" wasn't going to be nearly as good, and I was right. It was a good film, don't get me wrong, but I just couldn't help but be disappointed.

His signature style is ever present here, and that is one of the delights about "The Real Blonde". There is a lot of clever, almost subliminal use of devices that require a second, third, (or sometimes more) viewing, great dialogue and dead on satire, and great acting and photography.

Matthew Modine (an actor I never did care for) wasn't bad as a man struggling to make it big, and fed up with the sickeningly fake and shallow people that make up the entertainment and fashion industry. His girlfriend (Catherine Keener, great as always) shares his pain, although she is the only true, genuine character in the entire movie.

I checked some of the comments below and see there's quite a few people trashing this film. Perhaps those people were the type of audience expecting lots of action scenes and explosions. (Or maybe they're just too young to understand a character-driven plot!) This was a great satire on the Entertainment Industry, and what kept it all together were the characters. Joe Finnegen (Played by Matthew Modine) was not too bright, but there was a good cause in his character which made it sympathetic. The plot may be a little thin but it was more of a series of interwining characters and their everyday occurencies.

Forget the negative reviews about this movie and check it out, there's nothing to dislike about it. Another great gem from Tom DiCillo! (Living in Oblivion)

"The Real Blonde" is an easy going romantic comedy with the emphasis on comedy which sticks Modine and Keener in the midst of an ample cast of familiar faces as it spins its lukewarm but likeable story of sitcom type couple vicissitudes. Somewhat ill focused and lacking in coherence but always upbeat and busy, "TRB" makes a good couch potato flick for those in the mood for romantic comedy. (B-)

I rented 'The Real Blonde' on video at the same time that I rented 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion', because my favourite actress (Elizabeth Berkley) is in both and I wished to have a quiet afternoon in watching two of my favourite screen star's movies. 'The Real Blonde' was not only funny, it was well-scripted, well-acted and well... great!

The cast all did an absolutely fine job of bringing their characters to life, despite the fact that some didn't get a lot of screen time. Honestly, I had no idea that Bridgette Wilson could be so funny! I've only ever seen her on TV a few times, and she didn't really strike a huge chord with me there. But in 'The Real Blonde'... wow! Kathleen Turner, Daryl Hannah, Christopher Lloyd and my favourite, Elizabeth Berkley, are nothing short of hilarious as well. The satire was excellent and the ending was practically inspired. Great!

Does anyone happen to know the title of the song that was played in the Madonna video scene? That song was goofy. I liked it! :)

Set in the world of struggling actors and models, this is an intelligent comedy with just a hint of seriousness. It's well-written with good performances by its large, mostly younger cast. The humor is for adults, so if you're looking for big belly-laughs and gross-out situations, you'll be disappointed. The number of characters threatened to be a bit too many but that's not a major problem. I found 'The Real Blonde' funnier and more entertaining than lots of comedies that get far more publicity and have much more box-office success.