The Real Blonde

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The Real Blonde ★★½ 1997 (R)

Entertaining ensemble pic that daringly exposes the business of show features a disillusioned actor, his beleaguered girl friend, and a successful soap star (Caul field) searching for a peroxidefree blonde in New York. On-the-outs couple Joe and Mary (Modine and Keener) is main focus but is undercut by the industry mania that surrounds them. Intelligent writing and caustic wit provide a few memorable scenes, such as the “Il Piano” debate in a crowded restaurant over a thinly veiled “acclaimed independent film” and Bob's resolution to his blonde quest. Modine also revs things up in an emotional improv. Thomas stands out from the crowd as a pretentious fashion photog. DiCillo's latest feature tackles the movie biz from the other side of the camera than his 1995 acclaimed satire, “Living in Oblivion.” 105m/C VHS, DVD . Matthew Modine, Catherine Keener, Daryl Hannah, Maxwell Caulfield, Elizabeth Berkley, Marlo Thomas, Buck Henry, Bridgette WilsonSampras, Christopher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner, Denis Leary, Steve Buscemi; D: Tom DiCillo; W: Tom DiCillo; C: Frank Prinzi; M: Jim Farmer.