This HBO made-for-TV film stars Diane Lane, Tim Robbins, and James Gandolfini. It is about the making of An American Family, the first reality TV show to be broadcast on a major American TV network. The Loud family become the subjects of this groundbreaking experiment when visionary producer Craig Gilbert (Gandolfini) asks Patricia 'Pat' Loud (Lane) to allow a camera crew to film her family's daily routine for several months. The show and the film largely concentrated on the breakup of Pat and her husband Bill's (Robbins) marriage. They also focused in on the eldest of the five Loud children, Lance, considered to be the first openly gay man on television (sadly, he died in 2001 at the age of fifty of complications from HIV). The film is a very interesting look inside the first example of what now has become a pop culture phenomenon, which back then was unprecedented and scandalous. The acting performances are terrific as well. It isn't particularly striking or memorable, but it was a very enjoyable film.
In 2010, I went to the International Documentary Awards, which were honoring Bill and Pat Loud. They gave a very interesting speech and it was nice to learn more about their revolutionary experience.
Should you see it: Sure
Grade: B
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