After the Reality (2016) User Reviews

Spoon-Fed Emotions and Flat STory

[vicstevinson · 2/10 · 25 April 2017]

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.

Lacked something, but not sure what...

[aristotle7575 · 6/10 · 5 August 2018]

I spent a lot of time fast forwarding during this because some parts were just flat and I was expecting something more. Maybe I was expecting a bit more depth from the other characters (the only one who seemed to have it was Kate) and I wanted to see the connection between the reality show and actual reality a bit more clearly. It's as if the movie needed about 10 more minutes for us to have an ah-ha moment. It really just fell flat for me.

Funny and honest!

[cscott-41317 · 9/10 · 6 August 2017]

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!

[swixroberts · 10/10 · 26 April 2017]

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-27922 · 9/10 · 5 August 2017]

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.

Solid all around. Highly recommended

[matt-55245 · 9/10 · 5 August 2017]

I found myself totally engaged in the story and cared about the characters. It has a good balance of humor and engaging drama to propel it forward and make it a totally great viewing experience. I loved the acting; Jane Lynch and John Heard round out a sold cast. I liked Matthew Morrison on Glee, but here he gets to show a wider range of his talents. I also thought the cinematography was great. Being from the Midwest I so enjoyed the landscape and wanted to be on that lake!!

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

[katevandevender · 9/10 · 6 August 2017]

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.

Thought provoking

[hopeamartinez · 8/10 · 13 August 2017]

I am a fan of the two leads of this movie and this seemed like an easy film after I put the kids down to sleep, so a no-brainer....I am so genuinely surprised to be thinking about it days later.It struck a chord with me. It made me really think about real reality and the reality that I am hooked on (embarrassingly). It made me consider parenting and the sibling relationship, it made me think about why we choose our partners and what tools we have available to us in our "emotional" tool belt-sounds heavy but then there are hysterical parts. I really enjoyed it!

Great indy debut with all-star cast

[nickguroff-09618 · 9/10 · 7 August 2017]

Was so delighted to stumble upon this heartwarming, yet hilarious, independent film from first-time director David Anderson. I was frankly drawn in by names like Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch, but left excited to see more from Anderson, who demonstrates an intriguing ability to defy genre.