After the Reality (2016) Reviews

• Spoon-Fed Emotions and Flat STory

  vicstevinson2017-04-25

  The trailer cherry picks "deliciously pitch-perfect" when that quote applies only to the reenactments of YOUNG BUCKS, the Bachelorette-style reality TV show. Frankly, they were pushing the age of the male suitors. Top billed Matthew Morrison is 38 and his face looks every bit of it. Less successful is the family drama that isn't very interesting and reeks of "prodigal son" shtick. Morrison isn't very spontaneous and doesn't really create and inhabit characters. He brings his set repertoire to the role and takes on the character's name. That's it. The script suffers from absence of subtlety. EVERYTHING the characters are thinking comes out of their mouths. The expository dialogue reveals that the writer/director doesn't trust the audience to perceive anything. Thus we end up with emotions by braille. This would do better on Lifetime TV than the big screen.

• Funny and honest!

  cscott-413172017-08-06

  This is a great watch. A moving story with honest portrayals of grief and a tribute to those who have to each find their own different way forward. We laughed out loud. Wish I could melt into the family's cabin in northern Minnesota. The commentary on the soullessness of the reality competition world is right on. Loved it.

• Sweet and Smart Film about Loss That's FUNNY!

  swixroberts2017-04-26

  I've lost some dear friends and family and have never seen a film about grief that captures the reality of it like AFTER THE REALITY... oh... And it's an uplifting film! I laughed and cried. The Young Bucks (the reality show contestants) are so spot on funny and real to those shows. Sarah Chalke delivers a performance of a lifetime and Matthew Morrison is right there with her. I just wish there was little more Jane Lynch. She and Matthew are such a fun on screen duo. Some people might not get the shifting realities but it's a complicated emotional film Definitely gong to watch again.

• Family reawakening

  scottbc-279222017-08-05

  I was really excited to watch this as I liked some of the cast. So many things made it worth watching and it didn't disappoint. The story was real, awful, fun and poignant, with beautiful photography. I loved it and hated it as I watched brother and sister finally figure it out. I highly recommend it and will watch it again... and again.

• a love letter to family members you wish you had known better

  katevandevender2017-08-06

  This is the second David Anderson film I've seen (check out "Boats Against the Current" with Jason Ritter). Anderson has this sublime way of evoking subtext in his stories that I've come to really treasure. This film has the added delight of presenting reality TV in a way that's not quite parody, but not quite naturalism either. It makes for an interesting contrast for the narrative, which explores the depths of grief. All in all, I found this film evocative, unique and deftly made.