Reality (2012)

2012

115 mins

Directed by Matteo Garrone
81%
69%
Comedy
Drama
Award Winner

Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger led down a rabbit hole of skewed perceptions and paranoia after a sudden obsession with... More

Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger led down a rabbit hole of skewed perceptions and paranoia after a sudden obsession with being a contestant on a reality TV show takes over his life. This reality-TV satire won the Grand Prix (effectively second place) at Cannes 2012. From the director of excellent Italian mafia drama Gomorrah.

Luciano's post-audition confidence becomes over-confidence, then outright paranoia sets in when he begins to think that anyone he doesn't recognise is part of a surveillance plan by the producers. Certain he's earned a place on the show and is being constantly monitored, Luciano begins to perform as if he is on reality television even though it would seem that he is, in fact, not.

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Where to watch Reality (2012)

Reality (2012) is available to stream in New Zealand now... More on YouTube.

There is no screening information for this title.

Reality (2012) | Ratings & Reviews

81_%77 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
69_%1,305 reviews
Audience score rating

"Reality-TV addiction is overripe for satire, yet Matteo Garrone's latest swerves from anything biting, opting for an affectionate look at a man's mad quest for celebrity."

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Variety

"The film belongs to Arena, outstanding as a man growing ever more delusional in his quest to acquire celebrity status."

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Total Film

"Garrone just about keeps things under control long enough to make the surprisingly quiet coda emotionally satisfying and resonant."

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Time Out

"Mr. Garrone offers a glimpse not only of one man, but also of the soul of a people."

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The New York Times

"It's a likable film played with gusto and heart - though fundamentally a little sentimental and predictable."

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The Guardian

"[An] astute, dreamlike gut-punch ..."

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Los Angeles Times

"A disappointingly obvious follow-up to Garrone's unsparing criminal drama Gomorra..."

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Hollywood Reporter

"As a satire on the seduction by media and our infatuation with celebrity, it's hardly The Truman Show, but Garrone's Gomorrah follow-up is wry and witty. Plenty of fun."

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Empire Magazine

"While its barbs on celebrity and reality television are expected and a little facile, they're mostly a misdirect for a story about family, community, and religion..."

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