What Just Happened?

Robert De Niro and John Turturro in What Just Happened?. Photo / Supplied

Herald rating:

* * *

Verdict:

Not an insightful look into movie-making but well-acted, easy entertainment.

Based on his memoir and adapted for the big screen by film producer Art Linson (

Heat, Fight Club

),

What Just Happened?

is a behind-the-scenes look at life in Hollywood. With an all-star cast it's an amusing, but not terribly enlightening, watch for those with a passing interest in the crazy antics of Hollywood's so-called players.

Director Barry Levinson (also a veteran writer and producer) has plenty of experience working the Hollywood system, as does his star Robert De Niro. This is the first time Levinson has directed De Niro since their last film industry based comedy, 1997's

Wag the Dog

. Regrettably

What Just Happened

doesn't quite have the same satirical bite as their previous collaboration.

Needless to say, De Niro nails the character of Ben, a well-respected Hollywood producer whose life is one big juggling act. The success of his latest film lies in the hands of a powerful studio exec (Catherine Keener) who is demanding a re-cut and if she doesn't get it, Fierce, starring Sean Penn, won't see the light of day. To get it screened in Cannes, Ben has to convince his rebellious, drug-addicted director Jeremy (Michael Wincott) to find a compromise.

Another of Ben's productions about to start filming is also jeopardised by its star, Bruce Willis, who is threatening to arrive on set overweight and with a beard, a look that does not suit his character. It's up to Ben to convince Willis' agent (John Turturro), who is terrified of his client, that the beard must go.

Ben's personal life is about as chaotic as his professional one, with several ex-wives to keep happy, including his most recent ex (Robyn Wright Penn) who he's trying to reconcile with. Then there's the emotional 17-year-old daughter (Kristen Stewart) to worry about.

This could have been a witty, biting satire about the rampant egos, politics and commercialism that drive Hollywood, but

What Just Happened

doesn't really have much to say at all.

Instead we're delivered a well acted, lighthearted comedy where the characters behaviour, tantrums and all, fits nicely into our existing perception of Hollywood.

Francesca Rudkin

Cast:

Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, John Turturro, Sean Penn, Stanley Tucci

Director:

Barry Levinson

Running time:

104 mins

Rating:

M (Violence, sexual references, offensive language)