Hollywood Ending (2002)

Enjoyable if lightweight Woody Allen comedy about a pretentious film director, Allen, who's offered a chance to direct a major film while his career is on the skids by his producer/ex-wife, the excellent Téa Leoni. Things get complicated when Allen's new bimbo girlfriend, a very funny Debra Messing, wants a part in the film, and also by Allen's being jealous of Leoni's new boyfriend, studio boss Treat Williams. And top that off by Allen getting a case of hysterical blindness a the start of filming which he needs to hide from everyone in order to keep his job. The plot isn't exactly comic gold, but the witty banter between character is classic Woody Allen and more than enough to make this film well worth watching for fans of Allen's nervous little fellow character. And watch for George Hamilton, Mark Rydell, Tiffani Thiessen, and former AMC host Bob Dorian if funny supporting roles.

Although there were definitely some funny lines, 'Hollywood Ending' was incredibly boring. Ridiculous slapstick, gags that went on WAY too long, and tedious mundane bits.I know every Woody Allen film can't be as great as his 'Manhattan' or 'Annie Hall', but this movie was simply dreadful. Couldn't wait for it to be over ~ almost unheard of for one his flicks.Gave a very generous 3* out of 10.

For Woody Allen fans - this is one of the last ones with him acting so it is worth a watch. Unfortunately it's one of his weaker pictures. There are some laugh out loud moments esp his scene with Tea Leoni in the bar. The hypochondria isn't that funny. The main premise is interesting psychosomatic blindness but wears thin after a while. The supporting cast is not well utilized. Everyone is made to talk in that Woody Allen way. Tiffany Thiessen has such a small part. George Hamilton just a few lines. The Chinese cameraman and interpreter are quite funny at first. But overall it still is worth a watch for the pleasant neat storyline and the laughs in between. Just isn't that funny after all.

A pretty weak one-note joke film from Woody Allen during a period where he made a string of some of his most mediocre movies. It's not as bad as the following year's woeful "Anything Else," perhaps the very worst film he's ever made, but it's close.Allen plays a Hollywood director who's struck with a case of temporary blindness. You can imagine the kinds of jokes that ensue. Allen's reliance on vaudevillian humor had stopped being charming by this point and was just anachronistic. But no worries -- two years later he would experience a creative reboot and give us "Match Point," one of his best films and enough to erase movies like "Hollywood Ending" from our memories.Grade: C-