The Real Blonde (1997) User Reviews (32)

Bizarre but in a good way, and nostalgic too

[bellino-angelo2014 · 7/10 · 23 November 2022]

I heard for the first time about THE REAL BLONDE in May 2020 and when I looked at the cast I told myself that I knew I had to see it. Last March (after nearly two years) I finally saw it and while I didn't loved it, I still liked it for what it was.

Joe (Matthew Modine) is an aspiring actor that works as a waiter in a restaurant. His girlfriend Mary works as a cosmetician and supports him in money. Joe wants more to express himself than work a job with a salary, and is frustrated for not having accepted roles that were up to his standards. In the meanwhile his colleague Bob lands a role in a soap opera and has a fetish for blonde, leading to date a model and then dump her when he discovers her hair is dyed. Joe swallows his pride and meets agent Dee Dee Taylor (Kathleen Turner) that arranges for him to be an extra for the new Madonna music video while Mary goes to a self-defense and anger management class with an instructor (Denis Leary) that encourages her to express her anger. Bob has success with his soap opera and starts a relationship with real blonde Kelly (Daryl Hannah). During the Madonna video the director (Steve Buscemi) treats the extras like contest dogs and Madonna has been replaced by Tina (Elizabeth Berkley), and for an anti-semitic statement Joe is fired.

Dee Dee takes pity for Joe and arranges for him to play the part of a sexy serial killer in a play with Tina as her co-star, and he succedds and goes in bed with Mary after months. In the meanwhile Bob is negotiating a longtime contract for the soap while Kelly taunts him constantly, and Bob hopes to have Kelly's character killed in the show.

While the plot is a bit convoluted and the language a bit too adult in spots, it's still funny and managed to make me crack some smiles here and then. Matthew Modine gives a decent leading man performance and he actually surprised me, Daryl Hannah comes off good along with being gorgeous as the sultry soap opera star, while Maxwell Caulfield was a bit buffoonish with his fetish and needed a break. The supporting cast (Kathleen Turner as a pretentious but still warm-hearted agent, Christopher Lloyd as the head waiter and Joe's boss, Steve Buscemi as a loud video director, Elizabeth Berkley as a sexy Madonna double and part time actress, Denis Leary as the defense instructor) is a hoot and gives their best with the material given. The soundtrack was catchy, with not only Madonna's HANKY PANKY but also BE MY LOVER by La Bouche (a song I really love and now I can't associate it without thinking of this movie) and various other hits of the 1990s.

In substance, this movie is like a satire on the entertainment and fashion industry, and it does it in a nice and, I dare to say it, kid-friendly way. With a star studded cast, lots of great songs of the unforgettable 1990s and some funny moments, do you need more? Perfect for having some sort of voyage back in the 1990s even for folks who haven't lived them (like me that I am soon to be 24).

What's not to like?

[=G= · 6/10 · 4 November 2002]

"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-)

What a Cast!

[Honkon · 7/10 · 27 March 2004]

The best thing about this film is the acting - an astonishingly stellar cast most of whom are content to play very minor roles in the most understated way with no hint of showing off. A testament to the pulling power of a respected director instead of the usual Hollywood hacks perhaps. Catherine Keener is magnificent as always - see "Malkovich" and then this for an example of what acting is all about. Elizabeth Berkeley even gets a chance to show that once out of the clutches of Verhoeven she can actually act.

After de Cillo's Bunuel-esque flourishes in "Living in Oblivion" this quiet little comedy about artifice, authenticity and relationships was perhaps a slight disappointment, however this is no doubt due to approaching it with preconceptions. It's a quality piece of work throughout, an affectionate satire of the entertainment business, and a cautionary tale about not giving up what you need to get what you want. I liked it.

Muddled but has good moments

[bob the moo · 6 July 2002]

Joe is an out of work actor who is also struggling with his relationship with Mary who has lots of rage inside. Joe's actor friend Bob has just got a job on a soap opera but is caught up in his desire for a `real' blonde despite having fallen for the available model Sahara. The films follows their lives in the world of minor celebrity.

Despite having done good with the subject of film making in `Living in Oblivion', the director doesn't do as well when it comes to the world of the minor celebrity. The plot is a little jumbled – it wants to make fun of the world but also seriously follow the people it makes fun of in their relationships. Also it makes fun of Bob's acting but yet has plenty of respect for Joe simply because he keeps quoting `Death of a Salesman'. The satirical edge is nice and produces some funny moments but the relationship stuff is muddled.

There are plenty of famous cameos and most are good. Lloyd, Turner, Leary, Buscemi, Chappelle, Von Bargen etc all show their faces. In the leads Modine is OK but because the director doesn't know if he's part of the joke or a serious character then we don't know how to approach him either. Keener tries hard and is OK but Caulfield is the best of the bunch simply because we know he's meant to be a bit of a comedy figure.

The film manages to loose it's laughs in a sea of serious asides. The worst being the theme of the old black woman and her dog getting stolen. We keep going back to her and she has the last theme in the film – why? If there was a message I must be too dumb to get it and it certainly didn't really fit in with the rest of the movie.

Overall this has enough good moments to justify watching but it clearly lacks focus and loses it's way really easily.

The Real B...ore?

[RavenGlamDVDCollector · 6/10 · 27 January 2017]

I'm sorry, for I just read the review of the guy who rented those two Elizabeth Berkley videos and gave this one a glowing report. But no, guy, there's what you didn't consider. There is a whole lot of talent and beauty that went onto this movie, but what came out the other end? A big bore. Yawn. Zzzzzzz and zzzzzzz some more. Really, what a disappointment. I took one look at the trailer and thought I'd be on to a winner. No. What a loser. It doesn't hold my interest. I feel less than feathers for the male characters. Of the male cast, the best performance is by the little old dog at the end, I sure felt something for him.

Catherine Keener. Uhm, yes, she shows spark. I suppose she plays a role model. Sad that our freaking world has produced a society where 'girls' (in the true sense of the word) now are outdated, passé, in favor of 'efficient women' who strive to take care of themselves (and damn well can, but that is not the point, the point is that it is tragic that the 21st Century's ideals will have to be thrown out, for 'girly girls' cannot survive in The Big Nasty.

Daryl Hannah. Ooh, SPLASH. You could even stick with her till DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA. But as far as the erotic heroine goes, here she is a sad disappointment. Sorry.

Bridgette Wilson. Ethereally beautiful.

Elizabeth SHOWGIRLS Berkley. Striking performance. Especially that seen- from-the-sidewalk scene.

The male characters/actors: one big boring bore! What weakling bores!

An ensemble cast of couples and their relationships.

[ltlacey · 7/10 · 5 October 2008]

To start off, this movie was not as bland as some have written. It's actually a fairly decent movie about relationships and how losing, or gaining, them affects our daily lives. The movie starts out with an elderly lady walking her dog which then gets stolen and she's crying out for her Buddy. The woman and her dog are a relationship, as throughout this movie we see her now and then watching TV (more relationships, if only fleeting) and it's obvious she is all alone and all she had was her dog. The main relationship in the movie is between Joe and Mary. They have been together for 6 years and are experiencing issues. The 2 actors worked well together and actually this was one of the better performances I have seen from both actors. I liked how Joe and Mary worked out their issues and knew when to back off. Then we have fringe relationships and shallow characters who only want one thing. In one case, the woman must be a real blonde (hence the title), and in the other, the character, played by Hannah, just wants sex. Another surprise was Denis Leary in the film and his character as the teacher of a self-defense and self-esteem class for women. All in all, everyone portrayed a character that was real and with plausible lives.

A romantic

[ahmed_razzak-15605 · 7/10 · 27 December 2021]

Okay so here's a another movie of Bridgette Wilson . She isn't the main star but has a good role . The complexities in a relationship when you're in show business is what this film is about I guess from a few couples point of view. This film is funny, romantic and has a slow vibeful attractive pace which let's you keep watching it . Oh and btw it's really funny at some points 🤣 ..

Total is less than the sum of its parts

[un · 7/10 · 6 September 1999]

The director did a good job on simple plot like Living in Oblivion. The Real Blond may be too complex for him too handle. The elements of the movie do not work together very well (at least as expected), resulting in the weakness of coherence between two main couples, and other small episodes.

What's wrong with this film:

[bernie-122 · 5/10 · 3 November 2007]

I have to admit being disappointed in this; having been exposed to some of Tom's good stuff, I expected more of the same.

What blew it for me is that, although it is largely entertaining, it has about as much depth as your typical TV sitcom, and so it's pretty hard to regard it as anything but superficial fluff.

Also, the whole thing plays like a huge New York in-joke, but a lot of it will be lost on people who can't identify with that megalopolis.

That might explain why most of the rave reviews are by people from, guess what, New York.

Anyway, it serves as a good example of the hazards of a brilliant Indie filmmaker venturing too close to the mainstream.

Above average spicy romantic comedy about Blonde girls at New York's daily life upon Modine's look!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 8 June 2023]

Almost unintentionally I've purchase this small picture with great casting speaking in those fine actors/actress of recently past, as Christopher Lloyd, Daryl Hannah that is no longer a gorgeous teenager as she supposed to be, the beautiful baby girl from the eighties Kathleen Turner, Buck Henry among others, however see again my favorite actress Elizabeth Berkley is too much, delightful sexy woman on the nineties, a true eye-candy as phony Madonna.

Matthey Modine playing a full-bodied as a newbie loser actor Joe often looking for a place in the sun, working as waiter, living with his girlfriend Mary (Katherine Keenner) that afford all smallest apartment's costs in her regular job, he has a snotty friend Bob (Maxwell Cauldfield) obsess by blonde girls, although they never is enough a sort of overbearing guy, actually he is a lackluster that already do not released yet, Joe in fact is a fine guy and because so he usually lost good opportunities to spoke the truth, in other hand Mary has been harassed on street by a man, looking for a psychiatry Dr. Leuter (Buck Henry) to dealing it and is advised to him seeking a aid from his friend Doug (Denis Leary) that has a exercises formula to avoid and face it properly.

Joe got an audition with agent Dee Dee Taylor (Kathleen Turner) that doesn't enjoy him too much for Joe's frankness, at last got a smallest job in a Madonna's videoclip that ends up knowing that it he isn't dealing with the real Madonna, but his stand-in blonde girl Tina (Elizabeth Berkely) among ups and downs the movie unfolds in an New York's daily life, aside a bit slow sometimes it's a spicy romantic comedy, Daryl Hannah as voluptuous blonde actress, and a solid performance of the stressed couple Joe and Mary, worthwhile a look.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.

Boringly Funny...

[Stealth-5 · 5/10 · 28 May 1999]

I hired the real blonde because i wanted to check out one of my good actors Elizabeth Berkley. she basically had a fairly small role in the film,and displayed a dull emotion throughout the whole film,the real blonde was not funny at all,it was a joke really,only a few scenes which actually were funny worked out,it has a great cast though,but all the cast didn't seem so open or alive,especially Kathleen Turner.Altogether the film wasn't too watchy....

5.3 out of 10 C-

A real pleasure.

[Hermit C-2 · 8/10 · 13 July 1999]

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.

The issue of blondeness is important only to one man but not to the story

[pete-293 · 25 March 2001]

When I looked at the poster for this film at the theater in Brandon, Florida (I believe the only theater in Florida to show "The Real Blonde") one would assume that the only blonde in the film was Elizabeth Berkley. Elizabeth is the only person displayed on the poster (four times as a matter of fact). Actually there are three blondes (Elizabeth, Daryl Hannah, and Bridgette Wilson) but only one is a real blonde(I won't say who). But the issue of blondeness is important to only one man (Maxwell Caulfield)and strangely considering the title not of any real importance to the story. The story instead revolves around a man (Matthew Modine) and his live in girlfriend (Catherine Keener) who are having problems with their relationship and their individual lives. The film centers around the resolution of their problems making various side trips on the way. Some of these side trips are entertaining and help the basic story. Other do not. Yet the film moves at a nice pace and while sometimes a little confusing is never boring. All persons involved with this film perform very nicely. Bridgette Wilson plays the dumb but loving blonde very well. Darryl Hannah for the first time I know of plays a rather bitchy character but does so with style. Elizabeth in a role smaller that her billing would suggest never-the-less brings life to her character of a young woman who seems to be always left behind. I found this film worth driving 40 miles to the theater.

Making ends meet in Manhattan

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 3 October 2005]

Tom DiCillo is a wonderful director who should be seen more often. As he has demonstrated with his previous films, he is a man that brings a great dimension to the subjects he selects for his movies. Mr. DiCillo's strength lies in the magnificent performances he gets from his casts by making them underplay their roles and the irony behind his plots.

"The Real Blonde" was Mr. DiCillo's third film and he shows a firm hand in moving all the characters in so many interesting ways as they go about their lives in this complex city of New York. The film deals with the way young people are trying to cope with careers and relationships in this complicated city.

At the center of the action we find Joe, a good guy who works as a waiter in order to pursue his ambition of becoming an actor. Joe seems to be a bit confused about what he wants to do and doesn't have his feet planted on the ground. He doesn't have anyone pushing for him, no experience to speak of, yet he perceives himself into doing roles such as Biff in "The Death of a Salesman". Talk about reality!

Joe is living with a down to earth woman, Mary, who is a makeup artist and knows her way around the city and the people she has to deal with. Bob, who is Joe's best friend, and fellow waiter, lands himself in a soap opera that nets him a lot of money. Joe, the idealist, believes Bob is selling out, going too commercial.

Mr. DiCillo brings together the different worlds in which these characters are living into perspective with great style in a fun movie that is a lot of fun, at the same time.

Catherine Keener, who has worked with Mr. Dicillo in several films, comes out the best in her role of Mary. Ms. Keener is one of the best actresses working in films today and has a natural charm that graces everything she does. Matthew Modine gives a good performance as Joe. Daryl Hannah, Maxwell Caulfield, Elizabeth Berkley, Marlo Thomas, Bridgette Wilson, Buck Henry, Christopher Lloyd, Katheleen Turner and Denis Leary, are seen in supporting roles.

A charming film by one of America's best kept secret director: Tom DiCillo!

What a pleasant surprise!

[Verbal-17 · 10/10 · 10 February 1999]

I have to say that I was somewhat skeptical of seeing this movie; I'd seen similar movies before and a lot of them ended up just looking weird and unappealing to me. But, I decided to give this one a try because it had some of my favorite actors in it (Matthew Modine, Denis Leary, Kathleen Turner), and I was very pleasantly surprised. It was extremely funny, well-acted, entertainingly satirical, and an overall joy to watch. Easily one of my personal favorites this year. If you've overlooked this one, I suggest you check it out.

A Comic Gem!

[writerwoman1au · 5 October 2002]

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! :)

"Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans"

[thewakingone · 10/10 · 24 May 2000]

A great yet overlooked film with interesting and thought provoking messages. Excellent cast. Excellent direction. Any one living in new york city as a struggling artist will appreciate its take on success, exploitation, Holding to your beliefs, and handling life when things don't happen exactly how you wished they would. A very funny offbeat movie!

I can't believe some people didn't like this movie!

[MovieAlien · 19 July 1999]

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)

An imperfect movie with strokes of genius

[BrooklynBum · 8/10 · 6 February 2004]

Though this movie is not perfect, I thought it was a lot better than what many people felt, looking at the comments and the box office. The acting, for the most part, is excellent. Modine does a great job of seeming clueless and clumsy in his approach to his acting career, but I rooted for him because his character REALLY wanted it, he just hadn't figured on how to get it. Keener was at her sparkling, sassy best.

I think it's main problem is not so much the meandering, or the foibles of the characters: it's that the entire setting is so particular to New York I'm unsure about how much of the humor translates. This is not a patronizing jab at the

universe beyond the five boroughs; my experiences made me howl at things

that others may find completely stupid. Anyone who's ever been an actor or in the fashion industry in NYC would find so many scenes uproariously funny. The catering scenes, especially, would be dear to the heart of any working actor

who's struggled in New York.

This, by the way, was not an independent movie, it was a Paramount release.

DeCillo, after the dismal box office, is back on the indie side of the fence. Good luck to him, I hope he continues to make movies.

Good, but I couldn't help but be disappointed

[Nick_Dets · 4 November 2002]

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.

Phenomenal

[atzimo · 10/10 · 13 August 2002]

I believe that Imdb's policy should change as far as the front page comment is concerned. They should include reviews by the Imdb stuff or other official sources and not by anonymous users. Take this idiot for example who's comments on the main page we see. "The Real Blonde is a dull disappointment". It ruins it for people who haven't seen this deeply perfect movie.

Everything works right in "The Real Blonde". The story, the script, the humor, the acting, the direction. Tom DiCillo delivers another independent (in nature) masterpiece, that is so smart and at the same time, so simple and direct.

The frustrations of young people in a big city, are given in such a lyrical yet subtle way, that only an extremely gifted artist could realize. The cast is magnificent, especially Catherine Keener.

Watch this movie, the ending is absolutely elevating.

10/10

Fake Blondes, Good Film

[Karl Self · 24 April 2001]

This is a bizarre movie, an intelligent and and fairly subtle story wrapped in a glossy Melrose Place setting. OK, so the title didn´t have much to do with the movie itself, maybe the intended message got a bit lost on the way; but overall it comes out as a solid and entertaining piece of film making.

Hey!

[SmileyMcGrouchpantsJrEsqIII · 8/10 · 7 February 2024]

This is a class act - you can tell from the opening credits, and already you're wondering why it didn't find its way around some more ... after 'Living in Oblivion' (Tom DiCillo notes, in his filmmaker's diary published with the complete screenplay, that he lost for best original script at the Independent Spirit Awards to "the guy who wrote 'The Usual Suspects'"), it seems that DiCillo slipped off being front-and-center stage, but this is the sort of thing he *specializes* in: the weird, vain, crazy world of filmmaking (and actors! And art! And ... ) *itself*, and all the shots are lively and the set-ups, too, filled with personal investment and affection for all these human types and the foibles they encounter, and perpetuate, and fall *victim* to, themselves ... again, a class act all-around, and doesn't seem to have a lot to do with Billy Wilder in terms of style and *noir* shadings and blah-blah-blah *specifity*, but the overarching concerns are abundantly. He cares about us humans, and makes sure we are able to laugh at ourselves - as though losing our ability to do so would be dire, or at least *detrimental*.

And Matthew Modine made this movie not long after Abel Ferrara's 'The Blackout!' It goes to show that some people were willing to "tweak" thr film industry and themselves, even if public/critical/distributor response wasn't *great*. I didn't see either of these two pictures in the *theater*.

Two thumbs up! (From *me*, anyway ... ha-ha!!!)

;)

#WINK

#WINKAROONY.

why the dog is the key to it all

[cocreate · 29 November 2002]

The business with the old lady and her lost-then-found dog does have a reason for being in the movie. It's always a hefty clue when a filmmaker places something at the beginning or end that it IS something especially significant. In this case it has to do with the entire meat of the story (not to be confused with its distractions) and is emphasized by its placement at BOTH the beginning AND the end of the movie. The tiny, seemingly random tale of the old woman and her dog thereby brackets everyone else's story. Why?

The central question of the movie is, is simple comfortable domesticity with another being enough? Enough to give up your ideals, however out of whack they may be, enough to really confront your personal issues, enough to turn down the chance to explore intriguing new territories with someone else? Is it worth everything you go through and give up just to save a relationship that seems closer to mere companionship than to your earth-shattering romantic fantasies? One look at the old lady's face when she stares at her dog's empty dish, and then again when she sees him limping back to her, will give you the filmmaker's answer.