Aniello Arena and Giuseppina Cervizzi in Matteo Garrone’s film “Reality.” (Courtesy of Oscilloscope films)
Even though reality television’s ratings are slowly on a downward trend, there’s no denying the impact of the programming format in our lives.
From “American Idol” to the overly obtrusive “Big Brother,” reality television has practically transformed the way we consume media.
In the Italian import, rightly named “Reality,” director Matteo Garrone follows his protagonist Luciano, played by Aniello Arena, as he vies to be on the Italian version of “Big Brother” and experiences the pitfalls that persist when you’re trying to get a camera to capture every frame of your life.
At its core, Garrone’s “Reality” is a cautionary dark, sometimes too dark, comedy that serves as a warning for those hoping to gain fame like Kim Kardashian.
Springing to life is the film’s lead Arena.
With an easy demeanor that slowly erodes as the quest for a fame-filled life takes its toll, Arena has a knack for making the audience feel for his character. Luciano is slowly going crazy and Arena wants you to not just know it, but to feel it as well.However, Arena’s efforts would have been in vain if it weren’t for the slick direction of Garrone.
Italian cinema is known for its quick pace and often cuts and Garrone stays true to his roots and he creates a lightning quick film from these aspects.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to have the picturesque Italy as your backdrop.
The film’s supporting cast is quite good, too. Particularly Loredana Simioli and Claudia Gerini.
Perhaps the only real problem with Garrone’s work is that, with the subject of reality television at its forefront, the content seems a bit old and dated. As previously mentioned, reality television’s ratings are seeing quite the decline, so an entire movie devoted to the subject can come across as stale.
However, there is an argument to be made that “Reality,” much like “The Truman Show,” will stay relevant long after its commercial release.
For Garrone, “Reality” is a stellar follow up to the movie that made him famous, at least on American soil, “Gomorrah.”
Even though the two films are wildly different, they both carry Garrone’s distinct cinematic watermark. Could he be the next Fellini? Perhaps.
“Reality” opens at the Angelika Dallas today.
