Cinema Verite

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Cast & Crew

Diane Lane
Pat Loud

Tim Robbins
Bill Loud

James Gandolfini
Craig Gilbert

Patrick Fugit
Alan Raymond

Kathleen Quinlan
Mary

Lolita Davidovich
Val

Shanna Collins
Susan Raymond

Thomas Dekker
Lance Loud

Shari Springer Berman
Director

Robert Pulcini
Director

David Seltzer
Screenwriter

Karyn McCarthy
Producer

Gavin Polone
Executive Producer

Zanne Devine
Executive Producer

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Critic Reviews for Cinema Verite

Audience Reviews for Cinema Verite

• Nov 05, 2014

  Interesting, but I don't know the original show this was based on, so perhaps I would rate it higher if I did. Even without knowing, it was pretty good. Very authentic 60's/70's look to the movie and cast are all good.
  Nicki M Super Reviewer
• Oct 28, 2013

  Inspired by the work of Margaret Mead, documentary filmmaker Craig Gilbert(James Gandolfini) has an idea for a teleivsion series to capture an average American family going about their everyday lives on film, worried as he is about any future cultural impact the Partridge Family might have. He is introduced to Pat Loud(Diane Lane, apparently stuck in 1973) through a mutual friend. She agrees to participate, even with the logistical nightmare of her husband Bill's(Tim Robbins) frequent business trips. The filming starts with her visiting their son Lance(Thomas Dekker) at some place called the Chelsea Hotel in New York. Like their previous "American Splendor," Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini take another pointed look at the thin line between fact and fiction with "Cinema Verite," grounded by a very strong performance from Diane Lane. Normally, I would prefer the real footage(which I have never seen) but aside from making me feel uneasy, I would rather go with this dramatizaion since the viewer can see how intrusive the cameras were into the Loud family household. As seen here, at the time of the filming, it did not change their lives that much, only after, of which even Gilbert was not immune. At least, unlike those who came later, they had no idea what was going to happen and I wonder if somebody was wondering at the time if people actually watched public television.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• May 10, 2012

  An uneven but interesting film from HBO about the behind-the-scenes making of the first family reality TV show. The acting from all is strong, especially Tim Robbins, but the writing sometimes lets them down, with some stilted dialogue. I did like the film's use of archival footage, which was often more compelling, but felt its integration was inconsistent. What really made the film work, however, was the authentic dynamics between those involved, and the especially thought provoking end of the film, exploring the show's aftermath. 3/5 Stars
  Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
• Jan 15, 2012

  An American Family was television's first reality show and Cinema Verite captures the making of the groundbreaking PBS TV documentary with this very well acted drama. While the story has some bumpy moments as it tries to cram in a complicated tale into 90 minutes the film serves as an excellent primer for the real thing. So, if you have 12 hours take a look at the real thing which detailed the break up of an upper middle class American family while opening up questions about the intrusion of cameras into American lives.
  

  Aldo G Super Reviewer

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