REALITY QUEEN<\/strong><\/a> from a scripted written point of view which results in a solid structure of storytelling and a film well crafted in its overall construct. This film is fun. Brilliantly conceived, it is spot on with the zeitgeist of today. Characters are defined with specificity which is carried through into strong performances. The dialogue, much of which is pulled from the headlines and the over-the-top antics of what we see in reality television, goes beyond what we typically see with satire or parody. Bernheim pushes the envelope as far as he can push it without the film becoming a foray into ridiculum and stupidity. Visuals thoroughly embrace the story and the characters and boast some nice cinematic elements.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/behindthelensonline.net\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rq-7-1024x576.jpg\")
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\u201cLondon Logo\u201d, celebutante extraordinaire, was at the top of the reality hype game in television and on newsstands everywhere. Her resume consists of sex tapes, panti-less flashing of genitals, nip-slips, celebrity catfights with her former BFF, and more. Her branding of herself and products could rival the Kardashians, Paris Hilton, and others (you get the drift). But now, London has lost her luster and is looking to reinvent herself and tell the story of the \u201creal\u201d London Logo. To that end, she has written a book – a whole book – and is ready to sit down for a tell-all documentary with famed BBS1 correspondent Diana Smelt-Marlin to show the world she\u2019s really just the girl next door; smart, funny, caring, and shouldn\u2019t be looked down upon for being beautiful.<\/p>\n
Adding fuel to the funny, \u201cKristy Kim\u201d, one of the “three Kims” and fellow influencer and rival of London\u2019s, has also written a book, sparking a social media battle for the most likes, most shares, best fans. Adding to the mix, London\u2019s former BFF, \u201cRochelle Ritzy\u201d, whom London blames for her own demise when Rochelle walked away from their reality tv show, is also back on the scene. Needless to say, the stage is set for hijinks of reality proportions with BBS1 cameras capturing it all and then some.<\/p>\n
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Casting is exemplary starting with Julia Faye West as London Logo. West has impeccable comedic timing with delivery and movement, excelling in physical comedy a la Lucille Ball. She makes London a master manipulator who can turn on a dime, playing dumber than dumb one minute and in the next moment be reasoned and articulate, and all with resonance and believability. And in a wonderful third act turn, West lets us see that London is completely self-aware; the lights are on and somebody’s home upstairs and she knows it.<\/p>\n
Going beyond West, for some real entertainment look no further than Kate Orsini as BBS1 interviewer \u201cDiana Smelt-Marlin\u201d. An American in real life, Orsini plays Smelt-Marlin as an upper-crust Brit with exaggerated facial responses that are particularly effective by way of winks and nods to the camera. This is what separates REALITY QUEEN from just being a throwaway mockumentary and pushes it into a straight-up satire. Then put West and Orsini together and the result is delicious.<\/p>\n
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My initial draw to REALITY QUEEN was seeing Denise Richards on the cast list and then reading the film\u2019s synopsis. It immediately recalled shades of the early Richards vehicle, \u201cDrop Dead Gorgeous\u201d and then enhanced by the fact Richards is currently on a \u201cReal Housewives\u201d show. As \u201cAngelina Streisand\u201d, current \u201cbestie\u201d to London Logo, Richards shines with comedic physicality and facial expressiveness, while adding moments of knowing exasperation trailing behind London.<\/p>\n
A real joy is actor John Colley. A pure delight as “Simon Debris”, another one of London\u2019s beck and call minions, he serves as a perfect counter to West while showing us that Simon is really cut from the same cloth as London, with just more slightly misshapen edges. There is not a moment he\u2019s on screen that one isn\u2019t enjoying what Colley brings to the table. Also joining in the casting fun is Loren Lester as \u201cWinston Spritz\u201d, Shelli Boone as \u201cRochelle Ritzy\u201d, and Candace Kita as \u201cKristy Kim.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Directed by Bernheim and co-written by Bernheim and a team consisting of Schuyler Brumley, Chris Cobb, Gabby Gruen, Greg Lindsay, Allan Murray, John-Paul Panelli, and Chandler Patton, it\u2019s easy to see that a great deal of time and research went into script development, mining the reality show mindset and the world around us and finding a balance between blatant joking and truth and honesty both within the character of London and as a societal commentary. Celebrating the absurd, such as London\u2019s micro-Chihuahua aka a guinea pig, while on the surface appears ridiculous, lends to capitalize on deeper personality traits that make London more than a caricature. While the humor in REALITY QUEEN may not be for everyone, those that appreciate ridiculousness that has purpose and meaning, should enjoy the film.<\/p>\n
Key is that Bernheim stays within this \u201creality\u201d world but takes it up a notch thanks to his visual design and visual tonal bandwidth. In addition to the script, the story, and the performances, great attention is paid to the production values, particularly with costume design and production design. But showcasing everything is Cody Stauffer\u2019s cinematography. Bernheim and Stauffer keep it light both in tone and in actual lighting. Light and bright with just enough color saturation to heighten the surreal experience of London Logo\u2019s world. Shooting widescreen, we are treated to the sense of everything being open with no shadows or secrets, a nice contrast to what is actually happening with London. Widescreen metaphorically speaks to the global phenomena of reality queens, reality tv, and that ilk. Compounding that experience, Bernheim doesn\u2019t shy away from expansive locations with mansions and vast lush grounds, yachts on the wide open sea, planes, and closets larger than a 1000 square foot apartment.<\/p>\n
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REALITY QUEEN belies Steven Bernheim being a first-time director. He knows his craft. He definitely knows comedy. And the reality is, he knows how to make it all work, make us laugh, and entertain us, all at the same time.<\/p>\n
Directed by Steven Bernheim
\nWritten by Schuyler Brumley, Chris Cobbm Gabby Gruen, Greg Lindsay, Allan Murray, John-Paul Panelli, Chandler Patton<\/p>\n
Cast: Julia Faye West, Kate Orsini, Denise Richards, John Colley, Loren Lester, Shelli Boone, Candace Kita<\/p>\n
by debbie elias, 12\/05\/2019<\/p>\n
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