What Just Happened (2008)

Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer who's having a rough time trying to get his new picture made. This is without a doubt the most weird movie Robert De Niro ever starred in although the cast that follows is really great Sean Penn, Robin Wright, Kristen Stewart, John Turturro, Catherine Keener, Stanley Tucci and Bruce Willis this movie was definitely made just in order to show the inside of the big shiny Hollywood life and sure it's slow paced and boring at times but it's a fun, dumb and stupid movie with a great cast and if you turn off your brain you might like it who knows. I'm going to give What Just Happened a 7/10.

Here's the Test. Could You Find the Least Bit of Funny in a Scene where an A-List Actor is Paid Twenty Million Dollars to Star in a Movie and then is Asked to Shave Off a Lengthy Beard, Refuses, and then Throws a Tantrum Throwing Anything that isn't Nailed Down Around the Room? If the Answer is Yes, You Might Enjoy this Misfire. If the Answer is No, Forget this Mess.It is Only Mildly Amusing in Places and is Embarrassingly Bad Most of the Time. The Fun in Seeing Big Name Actors Play Themselves Wears Thin Quickly as the Cringing Begins Early and Continues for Nearly Two Hours.Robert De Niro, One of the Big Stars who doesn't Play Himself, is a Producer and this is His Life, or at Least Life While Making a Movie or Two. The Setbacks from Bad Press Screenings and Juvenile Behavior from Very Rich and Powerful People is the Story and it is Not that Funny or Even Insightful. You can get this Stuff from People Magazine. It is Maladjusted Mania of Mega Stars in a World that is Ironically Unattractive and Approaching this Thing is a Narcissistic Vent about Hollywood Seen through the Professional and Personal Eyes of a Movie Producer, and Surprise, None of it is Much Fun. When the Egotistical Bruce Willis Exits His Trailer it is One of the Most God-Awful Embarrassments that Movie Makers have Made Movie Lovers Sit Through. It is Suppose to be Charming but it Makes the Cringe Meter Explode.The Special Screening Cards that were Submitted on this Movie, Wait, On Second Thought One Doubts Director Levinson and Company had the Chutzpah to Try Any Advance Screenings on this Bomb. The Cards Would have been Brutal.

I love Robert DeNiro (don't most film fans?) and I generally watch whatever he's in regardless, as you know you'll get a good performance out of him. However, somehow I completely missed 'Just What Happened?' when it was in the cinema (was it ever?).It boasts an impressive cast along with DeNiro, who plays a film producer who's career is on the slide. He has trouble with his actors, trouble with his ex wife and trouble with his teenage daughter. Yes, DeNiro plays it as good as he always does, it's just the story that lets it down. What should have been a slick satire about the Hollywood film industry just turns into a meandering list of places DeNiro drives to and people he meets.There isn't much of a story. In fact, the central premise seems to be about him trying to get Bruce Willis to shave his beard off (incidentally, Bruce Willis does send himself up quite nicely). There are a few funny moments, but only a few.Basically, you can put a great actor in a film, but if you don't give him anything to work with, he just comes across looking a bit sheepish and almost embarrassed to be in it.I never thought I'd see the words 'Straight to DVD' associated with Robert DeNiro, but I think that would explain why this one disappeared before it came.9/10 for the impressive cast. 5/10 for what became of them.http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/

On its poster you can read this opinion : "Outright Hilarious", being written by someone from the "Washington Post" ! Well, that lie is Outright Hilarious, rather the only funny thing about that film ! Honestly, with other hands, the same story could have been good comedy, even if black one. Imagine (Billy Crystal) as the lead; WAW, that would have been more interesting than what we watched ! So it's not a comedy while it has some potential for it. OK what is it then ? I can answer that, it's a movie about "change is good". The crazy director doesn't want to change his end, the self-obsessed movie star doesn't want to change his face or body's features, while the fading producer does change his love, he doesn't want her to change him and love others.. and so on. However, what was the movie's point of view towards its issue ? Forget that. How the movie could be beautiful while doing anything ? Now that's what I can't forget since I had hard time watching it !In fact, it is poor and sullen film, without much to deliver. It sure fails at leaving an effect. I don't recall very good, or just good moment. It's like a boring reality show about boring life. (De Niro) did nothing but walking and driving all the time with bland face. That script has so little to present else couple of problems a Hollywood prouder might face. Then director (Barry Levinson), one of my favorites once, was so cold (the word is spiritless) in dealing with everything too. So what's left to catch or watch ?? Sadly none ! Big part of this film's condition got a lot to do with the horrible fact that (Art Linson) wrote it. By the way (Linson), old Hollywood producer, is the writer of the book which this movie is based on. So obviously he was retelling his story, yet by a way makes him the only person to understand or see what just happens. As you see that script needed another, more talented in cinematic writing, eye to make a complete, or at least anyway effective, script. Sorry that (Levinson), who wrote once (And Justice for All. – 1979) and the screenplay for (Sleepers – 1996), wasn't that eye. I feel even more sorry when he, as a director and producer, makes a movie such as this. Fairly, I loved the last scene; with the embarrassing photo session, and maybe the surprise of the unseen doctor's identity (who the lead and his ex go to). Save that it's a few dull shots of someone's life that ultimately formed unexpressive and unimpressive picture. In brief, if this film says something then it's that (Barry Levinson) made his worst film yet !