Sunday, May 24, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Hollywood's PR experts are often its most creative people. Spinning tales of smooth film production, their skills in shaping truths for their own benefit is remarkable. What Just Happened attempts to hold a mirror to such gurus with vanity and deception apparently running rampant. Based on an insider's memoirs, the titanic story of bruised personalities and imaginative madness shows how the artistic process can be halted by one's sense of self worth. Tinseltown producer Ben (Robert De Niro) is in a state of constant harassment. Feeling the heat from a studio unhappy with the ending of his latest movie, he deals with the dramas engulfing his next film. When its recalcitrant star refuses to shave his beard, a potential catastrophe arises. Caught between stars, agents and two ex-wives, Ben's everyman abilities are stretched to breaking point with an ego more than matching their own. Having directed many hits over the decades, What Just Happened offers Barry Levinson a chance to bite the hands that feeds him. Ultimately throwing his punches rather than aiming hard at his targets, his general disdain for the Hollywood money-men is clearly seen. From turning thoughtful pieces into 'products' to stay on top, their influence has dimmed the lustre the dream factory once had. In a way you feel wistful sadness in that the audience become the losers as they view images seemingly light years away from the writer's original intent. There are still many amusing moments to be had, even if they aren't as funny as they should have been. To be genuinely satirical rather than bitterly cynical is a gift few directors possess with Levinson unfortunately plumbing for the latter. Occasionally meandering through its episodic script, salient points become lost as events try too hard in gaining traction. Making up for this is some great acting from De Niro whose talent for roles requiring repressed rage is well utilised. Playing themselves, Sean Penn and Bruce Willis have a great time with John Tuturro as a stressed agent being good value. A middling effort rather than a cracker of a comedy, What Just Happened seems as empty as the people it presents. Not without merit, it raises the point in how such powerfully dysfunctional people find the time to make films in between their own personal dilemmas. Movie Reiew Rating 6 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore Just What Happened Official Home page click here Just What happened released in Australia on Thursday 21st May 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Just What Happened. Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

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