darlene-27 Knowing several real-life wannabe actors, screenwriters, directors, and producers, none of whom are exactly 'A-List,' I thought this movie was an accurate portrayal of the twists and turns that the life of a project and one's personal life take while one, lacking connections, tries anything to come up with financing to get a potentially great movie off the ground.Look at how long it took to get "Ray" funded and made -- 10 years! Similar stories abound. It takes a monumental effort to get anything made that's a little bit different. Guys who control the money don't like risk! With all its iterations depending on the focus of the potential underwriter -- think Money-Man -- with a colorful cast of stars, all playing well-written characters, I can't get enough of this movie. I own it and have watched it many times. A real laugh fest for those captivated by all things "Hollywood." The name IMHO ruined this movie's chances at the box office. It implies a certain salaciousness that is simply not there. It is a warm and sweet movie about guys trying to help their sweethearts achieve their dreams. Should have been titled, 'The Darkness and the Light,' which is the name of the screenplay they are trying to produce, or 'A Hollywood Story,' or something similarly innocuous. Worth seeing by all means!

mikemoto1 This is one of those movies that I fervently hope gets rediscovered one day. The performances are top notch, especially Landau as the extremely obseqious producer and Ralph as DeNiro's actress girlfriend. What makes this movie so great is that it understands the need of subtlety in satire, something that is often lacking. This film also says a lot about Hollywood and financing that REALLY hits the mark, maybe a little to close to home for some in the industry.

George Carr Bob Wuhl, never acclaimed because he has little range, actually turns in an excellent performance as a screenwriter who pulls out all the stops to get his script filmed. Martin Landau is his producer, and the money men they find, one of whom is Robert DeNiro in a wonderful role, all want him to cast their mistresses in the film. Although the film is slow at times, excellents performances all around make this worth seeing.

Jeannot A sophisticated dark Hollywood comedy, IMHO superior to THE PLAYER. The cast is a powerhouse, but Martin Landau is outstanding, as is the black girl who plays Beverly, DeNiro's mistress. I've seen it three times and laughed harder each time. Basically, it's about the woes of a director/scriptwriter (Wuhl)who, upon wannabe producer Landau's urging, tries to pitch his script to three money guys (Wallach, Aiello, DeNiro). He fights unsuccessfully to preserve the integrity of his artistic vision.