Living in Oblivion

Name: Living in Oblivion
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: July 21, 1995
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Catherine Keener, Danielle von Zerneck, Dermot Mulroney, Hilary Gilford, James LeGros

1995

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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Living In Oblivion

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Movie Details & Credits

Nea Kinisi | Release Date: July 21, 1995 | R

Starring: Catherine Keener, Danielle von Zerneck, Dermot Mulroney, Hilary Gilford, James LeGros, Kevin Corrigan, Peter Dinklage, Rica Martens, Robert Wightman, Steve Buscemi

Summary: Film about filmmaking. It takes place during one day on set of non-budget movie. Ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers.

Director: Tom DiCillo

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Steven Rea

Structured in three beautifully paced, keenly observed acts, Living in Oblivion is that rare picture that leaves you gasping in disappointment at the end - gasping, that is, because it's over and you don't want it to be. [04 Aug 1995, p.05]

Janet Maslin

Wonderfully funny behind-the-scenes look at the perils of film making, no-budget style. Read full review

James Berardinelli

This movie is keen, clever, and -- most important of all -- a nonstop exercise in hilarity. Read full review

Hal Hinson

Savagely funny satire of the world of independent filmmaking. Read full review

Marc Savlov

It's a hilarious, scathing look at one man's attempt to get a film made, whatever it takes, and it may be the most realistic depiction of that struggle so far. Read full review

Scott Rosenberg

Constructed as a sequence of deepening, worsening bad dreams, Living in Oblivion sometimes runs the risk of feeling arbitrary, and the film loses some steam in its final section. But mostly it's a smart, funny send-up of the trials and joys of filming on big egos and low budgets - subjects that writer-director Tom DiCillo and his collaborators presumably know first-hand. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

An amusing look at the perils of film production, Living in Oblivion is an inside joke with a generosity of heart that makes it accessible to anyone who would take an interest. Read full review

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User Reviews

carameldance

Feb 22, 2018

Living in Oblivion was an extremely enjoyable and ageless behind the scene movie. It wasn't too long and at the end I was craving more of it. Well written and funny.

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VictorLledo

Jan 12, 2023

"Living in Oblivion" is a satire that realistically deals with the ups and downs of an indie film production. It even dares to take aim at the industry itself to show what a frivolous world hides behind the glitz and glamour. "Living in Oblivion" makes you realize that filmaking may not be"Living in Oblivion" is a satire that realistically deals with the ups and downs of an indie film production. It even dares to take aim at the industry itself to show what a frivolous world hides behind the glitz and glamour. "Living in Oblivion" makes you realize that filmaking may not be as fun as you think it's (even if sometimes it is). There are many extra bits to it, sometimes straight unpleasant, and can be really frustrating at times, especially when you're trying to make a LO-NO budgeted feature film; there can be tension between the crew on set, and there is a limit an independent director can handle to finish a product.
An excellent Steve Buscemi plays all of this and more as an aspiring director struggling to finish his independent film. Watching him is a clear example of how stressful and scary it can be (specially when working with aficionados) to shoot the same scene over and over again, on the expensive days of non-digital shoots, while sharing the stage and responsibility with small time divas and nefarious co-stars.
The film turns out to be a satire on the clichés that abound in the seventh art. Impossible to forget that scene in which a then unknown Peter Dinklage, refuses to be part of a surreal scene, wondering and questioning the dramatic uses of dwarfs in movies. The film makes mainly a collection of gags with a certain continuity, offering a very entertaining, hilarious and accurate view of the process of making an independent film, the crew, the language and, above all, the accidents that do not let the film to be finished among many other brilliant insights. Definitely a great comedy to watch with friends, not only because of a great choral work by all the cast, but also because of the complexity of the script and the pertinence of its content. Di Cillo take the piss of indie shoots from the inside out and even being a hilarious comedy anyone can grab the feel of an honest insider´s confession. A must view film for anyone who is seduced by the idea of getting in the movie business.… Expand

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15	#15 Best Movie of 1995
90	#90 Most Discussed Movie of 1995