Movie Review: What Just Happened?

Knives come out fast and often in What Just Happened? Call this Alliance film somewhat of a big screen Entourage as it focuses on the goings on inside the movie business. Admirers of cinema should lap up this story now seeking converts

Stars don’t guarantee box office success but a smart script can. Savvy writer Art Linson teams up with top notch director Barry Levinson (Diner) to get down and dirty exploring the ins and outs of what it takes to be a producer. Though we’ve seen stories like this before and there’s nothing new here its fun to watch some big name actors go through the motions and poke fun at the Hollywood establishment and literally bite the hand that feeds them.

Oscar winning actor Robert De Niro (Goodfellas) nails down the role of Ben, a hardened producer in a whole bunch of jams. Rough times at home see a separation from his lovely wife, played by Robin Wright Penn. Marriage on the rocks can create considerable consternation but that’s a picnic compared to Ben’s problems at work.

Making a movie is hard enough as it is. Here Levinson shows us the process and egos that confound the opening of a film. We go behind the scenes to see how Ben navigates the sharks at the studio when his latest project named Fierce runs into some unexpected difficulties. That dynamic between director, producer and studio head is meticulously handled with each respective party trying to naturally protect their own turf. Onlookers get a bird’s eye view of the pressure and pain that goes into making and marketing a prospective piece of celluloid gold.

Nothing really new is covered in What Just Happened? Nice support from the likes of Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada) and John Turturro (Mr. Deeds) provide us with some realistic characters with stars Sean Penn and Bruce Willis also appearing in this star-laden entry.

Part send-up part real this 107 minute movie should appeal to those curious about the business of movie making while fans looking for more substance and fantasy may prefer the real thing. That said, De Niro is very good as the producer trying to juggle a bunch of things to come out on top.

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