The Reality of Love (2004)

Wonderful Movie

That was an excellent one.

Admirable film.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Ryan Banks (Jason Priestley) starts out faking as an actor in Hollywood with his best friend Todd Doherty (Bradley Cooper). He becomes a big star and Todd is his agent. However, his latest film is a bomb. He's being downgraded to the B-list. Todd is given 3 months before his boss Ed lets go of both Ryan and Todd. Todd sees the outlandish reality TV being pitched and comes up with a reality show to find Ryan a bride. Charlie Norton (Emma Caulfield) is one of those girls who was entered by her sister.Looking back, it's crazy that Bradley Cooper was the sidekick but that's the pecking order of the time. In the end, he's the romantic lead anyways. The digs at the reality TV system are tame for today's standard but they're sharp jabs back in the day. It has a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac. As a rom-com, there are no surprises. This is a nice cute rom-com with some touches of its times.

Longtime friends Ryan Banks (Jason Priestly) and Todd Doherty (Bradley Cooper) are resorting to rather desperate measures. You see, Ryan was once a major film star and Todd has been his equally successful agent. Ryan was Todd's first client, a job that resulted from Ryan needing an agent, fast, when he was approached by a producer at a casual party. But, alas, show biz is always on to the next big thing and Ryan is in a slump. Therefore, in order to save BOTH their jobs, Todd tells his firm that he has a plan to boost Ryan's profile and have future jobs come pouring in. What is it? Well, there is going to be a new reality television show launched called I Want to Marry Ryan Banks. A dedicated bachelor, Ryan will finally find the woman of his dreams among ten beautiful finalists, like The Bachelor. It will end with Ryan on one knee, ring box in hand. The agency likes it. Meanwhile, a struggling book store owner/barmaid, Charlie (Emma Caufield) has had trouble in the romance department, too, despite being very pretty. To remedy this, her sister and brother in law sign her up for a tryout on the Ryan show, without her knowledge. After some reluctance, she agrees to do it. Wouldn't you know, Charlie ends up being one of the finalists! But, uh oh! This book seller actually spends more time with Todd and likes what she sees. Also, unknown to her, Todd, the smarter one, actually feeds conversation bits to Ryan, via earphones, so that she is unwittingly falling for lines Todd invents, not Ryan. What a merry mix-up might be brewing! Yes, ladies, here is your chance to see Cooper, before he was more famous, in a sweet, nice romcom. Priestly, natch, was the bigger star at the time, having been on 90210. He was and is handsome and talented, giving a charming turn here, too. As for Caufield, she is quite lovely and has the added bonus of coming off as bright and chipper. No, this reviewer won't reveal the ending, but with such great looking stars and fine costumes, sets, and lines, what's not to love romance fans? Reality says take the time to find it for a near future showing.

This film was the sweetest and most easy watching film i've ever seen. I don't think it's a guy film but all those girlie's out there should get watching. The film was a lot better than I anticipated. It started a bit naff, especially when I saw Jason Priestly with long hair and pretending to be no more than 18 years old, when he is clearly in his thirties. But trust me it did get better.Here in the UK the film is called 'The Reality of Love' but 'I Want to Marry Ryan Banks'is an equally good title, as the film is based around the show of that name-let me explain........Ryan Banks is famous actor who's career is ready to be written off. Something drastic needs to be done. So loyal friend Todd, and agent to Ryan, thinks of a new reality TV series (I Want to Marry Ryan Banks) where Ryan lives in a house with 15 women, whom he must interact with and share dinner with etc. Every week America votes out those women they don't feel Ryan is bonding with well. The finalist is the one American viewers choose for Ryan to marry. Being a 'ladies man' or should I say, 'womaniser', Ryan isn't really into settling down, but the thought of getting his career back on track and also staying in a house with 15 women, it can only make him the happiest guy.A certain young lady, named Charlie, catches the eye of Ryan throughout the film but she bonds well with Todd, Ryans agent who works closely with the girls when filming the show.This is where the complications begin because Charlie happens to be Americas favourite to win and marry Ryan Banks much against her wishes with the alternative being to face a million dollar lawsuit. Like all cheesy TV films, there is a happy ending.This film is predictable but enjoyable. There are a few funny moments which can only make it the sweetest film I have watched recently. It's a film only fit for TV but is still watchable and cute!

After viewing a few scenes of this picture, I soon realized who was going to be the finalist. It was a cute, simple minded type of film, very down to earth about a humble waitress/bartender trying to rise above her position in life who had great qualities for being a great lover, wife and mother of your children. Emma Caulfield(Charlie),"Darkness Falls,"'03, gave a great performance to her role along with Bradley Cooper,(Todd Doherty),"Carnival Knowledge",'02. It was interesting to see how the actors were able to have their lines read to them with ear pieces, no cue cards were necessary at all and it made acting look real easy! Jason Priestly(Ryan Banks),"Die Mommie Die",'03 did not impress me in this film, but maybe that was the way he was suppose to play his role. Nice light minded film to sit back and enjoy if you CAN!!