Product Description How have the internal machinations of the film industry changed since Robert Altman expertly dissected them with the biting satire of THE PLAYER (1992)? Not a whole lot, according to this witty picture from Barry Levinson, which has been crafted from Hollywood producer Art Linson's memoir of the same name. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? follows film producer Ben (Robert de Niro) as he deals with precocious directors and stars, tends to the needs of various ex-wives, and makes multi-million-dollar deals from his car. The film mixes fantasy and reality, with Sean Penn and Bruce Willis playing themselves, while a fictional director (played by Michael Wincott) and producer (played by Catherine Keener) feud over the editing of a new feature. Starring Robert de Niro, Bruce Willis, John Turturro, Sean Penn, Stanley Tucci, Director Barry Levinson Special Features: Full Frame - 1.33 Widescreen - 2.35 Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 - English Subtitles - Spanish Optional Running Time 104 Minutes. .com Somebody once dubbed Hollywood "the Dream Factory"; What Just Happened aims to make sad, occasionally zany comedy of the proposition that unreality is the keynote of Hollywood as place, process, and lifestyle. Art Linson wrote it, and as producer of The Untouchables, Fight Club, Heat, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, et numerous al., he must know the territory. Trouble is, after Robert Altman's way-superior The Player (1992), several seasons of Entourage, and wraparound entertainment coverage on cable TV and the Internet, most of What Just Happened feels secondhand and superfluous. Robert De Niro gives a low-key comic performance as Ben, a seasoned producer being relegated to the edge of Tinseltown's Big Picture. The test screening of his latest movie was a disaster because his arty Cockney director (Michael Wincott, savoring a rare comic opportunity) insists on killing off not only hero Sean Penn but also, unforgivably, his dog. And Ben's next movie may not get made at all because Bruce Willis is adamant about playing his part with an outlandish beard the studio won't stand for. Meanwhile, our beleaguered protagonist is living in a soulless plastic-and-chrome apartment while supporting two ex-wives in their respective Houses Beautiful. The second wife (Robin Wright Penn) has lined up a divorce counselor to help them get on with their separate lives, even as Ben yearns for reconciliation. What Just Happened re-teams De Niro with director Barry Levinson eleven years after Wag the Dog (1997), their surreal black comedy about Hollywood and Washington, different kinds of dream factory, collaborating on a politically expedient fiction and an unnecessary war. Nothing comparable is at stake here--though at one point studio boss Catherine Keener does evoke memories of President Lyndon Johnson issuing directives while perched on the commode. There are funny bits and deft touches from such redoubtable troupers as John Turturro--playing an agent terrified of talking to his clients--and Stanley Tucci, as a screenwriter who may be moving in on that wife Ben hopes to win back. However, Levinson's direction is so lackadaisical, there's barely a moment that doesn't nudge the whole enterprise toward the direct-to-video bin. --Richard T. Jameson
D**N
"What Just Happened" (2008) is a good "behind the scenes" movie about Hollywood big shots.
"What Just Happened" (2008) is a good "behind the scenes" movie about Hollywood big shots.I screened a used DVD of "What Just Happened" (2008) starring Robert DiNero last night alone in my living room in my Lancaster County PA apartment, and concluded it was a good, intelligent "insider" movie about "behind the scenes life" in Hollywood."What Just Happened" (2009) stars and was produced (and probably mostly owned) by Robert DeNiro, directed by Barry Levinson, originally from Baltimore MD USA...my home town.... (directed WAG THE DOG with DeNiro, who likely also owned that movie, too).Curious movie about two weeks in the work and personal life of a major Hollywood studio movie producer, prima donna movie stars and directors he has to coddle and coax, his two ex-wives and children from each he still visits and misses (wives and children), politics with studio big shots, his trip to Cannes Festival to show a controversial movie he produced, etc. etc.The movie was made cheap (33 days, reported cost was $25 Million) with cameo roles by Sean Penn and others, but comes in a DVD package with two discs....a second "bonus" disc I haven't screened yet....what could be on that?Story (WHAT JUST HAPPENED) is based on two movie producer memoir books written by a now aging (born in 1942) producer, Art Linson. who spent 30 years in Hollywood, was the producer of CARWASH (1970's?) cult movie starring Richard Pryor and others.In 1995, Linson published his first book, A Pound of Flesh: Perilous Tales of How to Produce Movies in Hollywood. His second book, What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales From the Front Line, was published in 2002.Linson states in the "special features" interview part of the "What Just Happened" DVID that he originally wrote a book of anecdotes he thought would make interesting and scandalous reading, and Robert DeNiro (interview provided with DVD..."Special Features") read the book, asked the author to write a screenplay with DeNiro playing the aging producer dragging around baggage of two ex-wives and children from each (all still housed in big mansions the producer paid for....the wives got when divorces happened), wierdo Hollywood personalities including movie stars, agents, writers, VIP major studio execs who ride around in chartered jet planes, etc. etc."What Just Happened" (2008) was one of many movies I screened recently about "how movies are made, what goes on behind the scenes"Other movies of the "movie movies" type screened recently for the first time include "The Player" (1992) directed by Robert Altman (MASH, NASHVILLE, etc.), "The Stunt Man" (1978) starring Peter O'Toole, and "Wag The Dog" (1997) starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert DiNiro (about a Hollywood producer who goes to Washington DC to help the US President, and is murdered by the people who hired him for his trouble!...."Nice guys finish last," eh?)I also got "White Hunter, Black Heart" (1990) starring Clint Eastwood (about a John Huston type movie director making a movie in Africa and hunting big game on the side), and "The Last Stunt Player" (1993) starring ex-California Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger before his Governor days.Addional "movies about the movies" include: "Sullivan's Travels" (1941), "Sunset Boulevard" (1949), "The Bad And The Beautiful" (1953), "Get Shorty" (1995), "Hollywoodland" (2008), and "Hollywood Hotel" (1937).I've already seen (often) "The Last Command" (1928), The Life And Death Of 9413: A Hollywood Extra" (1927), "A Star Is Born" (both 1937 and 1954 versions), and "Singin' In The Rain" (1952). Also "The Last Tycoon" (1970's) starring young Robert DeNiro and Robert Mitchum.There are many other similarly themed movies to see, no doubt.So many movies, so little time!I find these movies are very edgy and not a bit restful....just like Hollywood and just like the movie making biz I've been part of so long (BTW, I'm a SAG-AFTRA movie actor who started Hollywood paid actor work in 1970).All very educational and cathartic....but not restful or edifying.Back to better, classic movies for me after the current "festival" is over. (I'm like a retired sea captain or sailor who buys a cottage on a hillside overlooking the ocean, and stares out over it and remembers his days at sea.)Many "movies about the movies have been made over movie history including "The Last Command" (1928) starringh Emil Jannings and also starring William Powell, directed by Josef Von Sternberg, set in silent movie big studio Hollywood.Many "movie movies" followed "The Last Command" (1928) quickly, including "A Star Is Born" (1937 and the Judy Garland version in 1954), "Singin' In The Rain" (1952), and many others, including important good movies never famous (e.g. "The Life And Death Of 9413: A Hollywood Extra" (1927) silent experimental movie by then young Greg Tolan, who went on to help film "Citizen Kane" (1941)."The Life And Death Of 9413: A Hollywood Extra" (1927) is one of several "movies about the movies" included in the Library Of Congress National Film Registry List.Four of the movies on the list were stories about "extras" (background actors) who rose to movie stardom or died at the end of the movies (the two silent era movies had tragic ends about the "extras" starring in them, and the two sound era movies had happy endings....the "extras" became movie stars!).I started work as a paid Hollywood movie actor 43 years ago (1970) and am now sort of retired.I still work on major Hollywood studio movies shot "on location" on the East Coast of the USA, also major TV drama projects, when I get called, but mostly I'm retired these days, thankfully.Much more restful life than I used to have when I worked full time as a movie actor.I'm "Threescore And Ten" as the Bible calls age 70 (Psalms 90:10), and naval gazing about "What's it all about?" (or "What was it all about?")I met many "What Just Happened" (2008) type movie producers during my Hollywood years (I lived there twice), and this good movie supplied me a lot of "food for thought," part of my present "Remembrance Of Things Past" retirement life.------------Tex Allen is an accredited SAG-AFTRA union Middle Atlantic States movie actor. (Visit WWW.IMDb.Me/TexAllen for a detailed list of SAG movie credits since 2004....includes 15 major Hollywood studio feature movies and 8 major national TV drama projects).
D**O
The Movie Sucked, Thats What Happened!
I'm A BIG De Niro fan. I respect a lot of his movies. But this is the worst movie I have ever seen him in, by far the worst! The characters are boring there is nothing fun or memorable to get you interested in the characters themselves, or there lives for that matter. The story is all over the place. It was suppose to poke fun or the industry but can I get a laugh in the process. It was a real let down for a man of his talents. I can't imagine him looking over the script and thinking this was a good idea. I've never even heard of this movie and I see why. If I were able to give it a lower score I would. It doesn't have a single moment when you can say(honestly) to someone I atleast got 1 good laugh out of it, not one! This movie is so awful that I had to take a breaks because I couldn't stand to watch it for a long period time. It was that bad in my opinion. It took me 3 days to watch the whole thing. I was looking for 1 silver cloud in the other wise cesspool of a hurricane you would call a movie, also I try to finsh every move I watch so I can be fair. Don't waste your time, or money wait until it comes out on T.V. for FREE. Even then you should still get a refund.
A**Z
Characters
Most of what has already been said about this movie rings true. No need to repeat it all. The story can be interpreted in many ways, satire on divas, Hollywood dramas blown out of biblical proportion, competition of twisted lives, sad everyday experiences etc. It all boils down to regular folks, famous people, wealthy people and the poor experience pain, anguish and the injustices of life.Our culture appears addicted to the escape of larger than life realities of the rich and famous. Punctuated with the intimacies of their lives, we feel privileged to know all the details under the guise of tension relief from our personal boredom and seemly helpless trapped reality. The draw to this movie is this. Wiping the kookiness out but keeping the quirkiness, all of the actors did a great job portraying the characters they represented. Don't envy the next guy, for one really doesn't have a clue what he's dealing with.
S**O
Honestly..Really..What Just Happened?
"The dog needs to die" that's all I pretty much heard all the time in this movie. This flick is really something, at times you laugh, and then at times you're completely bored. This is one of those movies that have A-list stars, decent budget, released theatrically...but it is quickly forgotten.Robert De Niro stars as a producer who is having problems at home with his wife...or ex wife, they don't clarify that well. De Niro as always gives a good performance, but the plot is to hard to follow...even at times its just ludicrous and over the top satire. Anyway De Niro's Character is trying to save a film from becoming a box office disaster. It seems that the director doesn't want to change the ending involving a dog getting shot in the head! Yeah I know it's weird. Still the movie goes in circles with other subplots that are just fillers for the movie; they needed the fillers because the movie wasn't written well.It's a shame because the movie's story had potential, but it wasn't handled right. Not to mention the irrelevant story of Bruce Willis playing himself and not wanting to shave his beard. Some moments however are handled neatly with humor and wit, but as I said it's just "some". The cast however managed to bring their all, even though the plot was not as great. I will admit that if Robert De Niro didn't Star in this movie, I would have not sat all 104 min of this mess. I don't recommend buying this movie, even if you're a De Niro or a Bruce Willis fan; which reminds me...all Bruce Willis does in the movie is throw tables around, act grumpy and swears...That's all. Just rent it, don't buy.MY PERSONAL RATING: 2 ½ OUT OF 5
F**M
Divertente
Divertente, riesce ad ironizzare su situazioni molto tristi dello star system
C**N
C'est cool
Le DVD que je souhaitais
D**E
Five Stars
wHAT A GREAT CD.
L**.
Interessante Abwechslung
Ich will meinem Vorgänger nicht ganz widersprechen, ich empfand die Handlung auch nicht als wahnsinnig mitreißend und weltbewegend. Aber würde ich nicht so weit gehen, dass der Film eine Enttäuschung ist - im Gegenteil. Ich fand es eine interessante Abwechslung, einmal diesen Teil von Hollywood präsentiert zu bekommen. Der Film ist durchaus unterhaltsam und lebt insbesondere von Hauptdarsteller Robert de Niro, der sehr überzeugend und unterhaltsam seine Rolle als überforderter Filmproduzent & Vater & Exmann & .... spielt. Der Film ist nett für einen gemütlichen Abend vorm Fernseher.Das Zusatzmaterial zum Spielfilm ist wirklich sehr empfehlenswert, wenn man sich für die Vorgänge in Hollywood hinter der Kamera interessiert. Auf der DVD ist ein langes Interview mit "echten", erfolgreichen Produzenten, die über ihre Erfahrungen in Hollywood berichten und interessante Einblicke in ihren Werdegang und ihre Überzeugungen und auch in die Geld-Maschinerie Hollywood geben.Film: 4 SterneZusatzmaterial 5. Stern!Alles in allem würde ich durchaus zu dem Film raten!Viel Spaß dabei!
か**ん
ニューヨーク派のデ・ニーロが、ハリウッドの大物を演じる面白さ。
本作は、実際の大物プロデューサーであるアート・リンソンの手記を映画化したものだ。アートが２０世紀フォックスの重役だった頃の思い出らしいが、思わずimdbでフィルモグラフィーを観てしまった（笑）。ショーン・ペンはアートの「リッジモント・ハイ」でチャンスをもらったから、その恩義からの出演だろうし、デ・ニーロとは言わずもがなの「アンタッチャブル」「ヒート」で一緒だった他、「俺たちは天使じゃない」ではデ・ニーロ＆ペンという顔合わせも実現させている。ゆえに、これは現実か非現実か、というのもわかりにくい。とりあえず、観客もハリウッドセレブの中に入っていける点で、本作は面白い。ハリウッド業界ものは数多あるが、これだけ実務に寄った作品は少ない。ドラマティックじゃない分、真実味があるのだ。本作も製作費２，５００万ドルを掛けているが、全米興収はたった１１０万ドルに終わっている。ウソではなく、本当のことだ。ブルースやＳ・トウィッチも出ていて、この成績はある意味で「異様」である。峠を越えたとされるＢ・レヴィンソン監督＆Ａ・リンソンの業界での立ち位置と被ってしまったのは自分だけだろうか？業界から見れば、普段はニューヨーク派のデ・ニーロやＳ・ペンが、ハリウッド業界人気取りなのが気に入らなかったのかも知れないね。特典映像では、監督＆アートのコメンタリーが面白い。どこかのスタジオの食堂で話しているのを聞いているみたいだ。ハリウッドを目指しているのなら、必聴である（笑）。星は４つです。
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