DVD Review: What Just Happened
Robert De Niro Stars as Overworked Neurotic Tinseltown Producer
Mar 16, 2009
Based on Hollywood veteran producer Art Linson's book What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales From the Front Line, this latest film by Barry Levinson examines the inner workings of Tinseltown magic, and all of the unheard of logistical nightmares which occur behind the scenes.
What Just Happened Synopsis
Ben (De Niro) is an aging producer in modern day Hollywood, who is trying to deal with the various unforeseen emergencies that come up in the process of making several high profile films. On one project, a high octane action drama called Fiercely starring Sean Penn (playing himself in this reviewed film), Ben has to convince (as best he can) the movie's gung ho director (Michael Wincott, The Crow) to change the ending, as both the protagonist and his dog get shot dead, which may alienate the audience altogether.
On another project, Ben has to deal with a decidedly stubborn Bruce Willis (playing himself up here as well), who refuses to lose weight and shave an unsightly beard, in order to start shooting his next movie. Ben's insistence that Willis' agent (John Turturro, Miracle at St.Anna) talk some sense into his client, seems to go nowhere. All the while, Ben is constantly reminded of his shaky predicament, by the studio boss, Lou Tarnow (Catherine Keener, Synecdoche, New York), who is counting on these films to come through for the studio, for the sake of everyone involved.
If these logistical nightmares weren't enough, Ben is still dealing with moving on from his failed relationship with his latest ex-wife (Robin Wright Penn, Beowulf, Forrest Gump), attending divorce therapy, and maintaining whatever relationship he can with his estranged daughter Zoe (Kristen Stewart, Twilight), the fruit of his first failed marriage.
All of this occurs over the course of one hellish, fast-paced week in Hollywood. Whether Ben manages to come through in the end, makes for an interesting yet unremarkable film about the real story behind the magic which graces our silver screens.
What Just Happened Overall Analysis
Though Art Linson's book did contain some juicy elements about working in the real Hollywood, let it be said that not all books can be made into movies, especially one such as this tell-all piece of non-fiction.
Sure, it'd be hard to have had produced this film as, say, a documentary piece, expecting to have the cooperation of all of its implied subjects (the book tells of problems on films sets such as The Edge, Pushing Tin and Great Expectations, among others).
Instead, Linson works with Barry Levinson (himself now a veteran of the industry), to re-imagine similar problems on made up movies, while remaining honest to the original intent of his own book. The resulting film is sadly uneven, and uninspired.
Robert De Niro, no stranger to working with Levinson (the two cooperated on Sleepers, as well as another uneven Hollywood-inspired piece, Wag the Dog), tries to convey stress and angst in his role as Ben, however it's almost as if he's been "overly cast" in the role, and is the wrong fit. His Method acting talents are well known, near legendary in the business, however his performance doesn't seem to come off as honest, almost as if he'd decided to do this film as a favor to a good friend.
The same can be said for the other major actors involved, such as Bruce Willis, Robin Wright Penn, Sean Penn, John Turturro, and several others. Each of them go through the paces, but either the tone of the film masks their efforts, or they just can't seem to enliven this dry (though sometimes humorous) piece of non-fiction writing, turned comedic fiction.
The best praise is reserved for character actor Michael Wincott, who embraces his character of British director Jeremy Brunell, temper tantrums and all. His reaction to seeing a potential loss of creative control over his own film, makes for one of the very few highlights of What Just Happened.
Either way, it's certainly interesting to watch a re-enactment of what appears to be a genuine glimpse into a tough business, despite the irony of the film itself failing to make its mark as an entertaining product.
The film's DVD extras include the usual handful of deleted scenes, audio commentary, and an insightful making of featurette, which should almost be watched first, before watching the final product.
5 out of 10, for trying to sell this concept as a piece of true Hollywood insider fodder, while forgetting its main goal of sustaining viewer interest.
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