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Nov 17, 2015 Web Exclusive By Austin Trunick

Nick Reve is trying to make a movie. No matter how hard this independent film director (Steve Buscemi) works to realize his vision, nothing goes right; spotlights blow out, actors improvise their blocking, and smoke machines catch fire, among numerous other problems. Nick’s unconfessed love for his lead actress (Catherine Keener) doesn’t help matters, nor does the love triangle between his assistant director, cinematographer (Dermot Mulroney), and his leading man.

Tom DiCillo (Johnny Suede) conceived of the project while explaining to a friend how much of a miracle it is—given the many, many obstacles a filmmaker must contend with—that any films are ever completed at all. And surely, Living In Oblivion is a movie-maker’s movie, and anyone who’s ever had experience on a film set will get the most enjoyment out of Nick’s mounting frustrations. However, there’s still plenty of humor for any regular ol’ movie fan to enjoy, and Buscemi’s pot-ready-to-boil-over performance is something to be seen. You’ll also find an early performance by Peter Dinklage—who’s role isn’t as front-and-center as the Blu-ray’s art would lead you to believe—in the movie’s third act.

Shout Factory’s 20^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray comes with a new retrospective documentary with the cast and crew, which lays out the DIY nature behind the movie and adds another whole level of appreciation on later views. (An audio commentary by DiCillo fills in more behind-the-scenes information.) The disc’s rounded out with a live Q&A with Buscemi and the director, plus a deleted scene. We recommend this comedy—especially to former film students and anyone who’s ever been in the business.

www.shoutfactory.com/film/film-comedy/living-in-oblivion-20th-anniversary-edition

Author rating: 7/10