niamh-94 I really felt like the film was attempting to make an impact, attempting to make a point. Sadly however, it was only an attempt, and a fruitless one at that. Reading the cast list, you'd have thought it would be a gem, and as much as I think De Niro was good, he wasn't at his best. I think, ironically, the main failing in this film was that the producers and director didn't have the guts to make it work. The weren't bold enough, honest enough or original enough to get it to where it needed to be. Perhaps there was an element of high expectation when I sat down to watch it one rainy afternoon, and thus maybe that is why I have been left yearning for something more from it, but yet again, I see Stanley Tucci, a fine actor, a real talent, and an under appreciated one at that, in a mediocre film.

elshikh4 On its poster you can read this opinion : "Outright Hilarious", being written by someone from the "Washington Post" ! Well, that lie is Outright Hilarious, rather the only funny thing about that film ! Honestly, with other hands, the same story could have been good comedy, even if black one. Imagine (Billy Crystal) as the lead; WAW, that would have been more interesting than what we watched ! So it's not a comedy while it has some potential for it. OK what is it then ? I can answer that, it's a movie about "change is good". The crazy director doesn't want to change his end, the self-obsessed movie star doesn't want to change his face or body's features, while the fading producer does change his love, he doesn't want her to change him and love others.. and so on. However, what was the movie's point of view towards its issue ? Forget that. How the movie could be beautiful while doing anything ? Now that's what I can't forget since I had hard time watching it !In fact, it is poor and sullen film, without much to deliver. It sure fails at leaving an effect. I don't recall very good, or just good moment. It's like a boring reality show about boring life. (De Niro) did nothing but walking and driving all the time with bland face. That script has so little to present else couple of problems a Hollywood prouder might face. Then director (Barry Levinson), one of my favorites once, was so cold (the word is spiritless) in dealing with everything too. So what's left to catch or watch ?? Sadly none ! Big part of this film's condition got a lot to do with the horrible fact that (Art Linson) wrote it. By the way (Linson), old Hollywood producer, is the writer of the book which this movie is based on. So obviously he was retelling his story, yet by a way makes him the only person to understand or see what just happens. As you see that script needed another, more talented in cinematic writing, eye to make a complete, or at least anyway effective, script. Sorry that (Levinson), who wrote once (And Justice for All. – 1979) and the screenplay for (Sleepers – 1996), wasn't that eye. I feel even more sorry when he, as a director and producer, makes a movie such as this. Fairly, I loved the last scene; with the embarrassing photo session, and maybe the surprise of the unseen doctor's identity (who the lead and his ex go to). Save that it's a few dull shots of someone's life that ultimately formed unexpressive and unimpressive picture. In brief, if this film says something then it's that (Barry Levinson) made his worst film yet !

Argemaluco I had good expectations before watching What Just Happened because Robert De Niro had previously worked with director Barry Levinson in Wag the Dog, one of my favorite political comedies, and I was enthusiastic to see them working together again in a satire of the film industry. Unfortunately, What Just Happened is too bland and artificial to consider it as a genuine denounce against Hollywood, and I think that it is nothing more than an insipid comedy whose good intentions are not enough for justifying its lack of energy or its boring screenplay.It is easy to laugh at Hollywood, because from the outside, it seems like an absurd industry which punishes the originality at the same time it promotes the mediocrity and the conformism. However, I would have thought that screenwriter Art Linson (who also wrote the book this movie is based on) would have had more things to say about Hollywood, since he has been working for various decades as a powerful producer with various mainstream films (such as, for example, Fight Club, Heat and The Untouchables) in his filmography. And I think that is the main problem from What Just Happened: it does not even remotely go as far as it should, and it simply recycles the same jokes and situations we have seen in much better satires of the film industry, from the movie The Player to TV series like Entourage and Extras.Among the few positive things I can say about this movie, I have to mention the solid performances, from Stanley Tucci as a capricious screenwriter to Michael Wincott as a director/artist obsessed with his vision, without forgetting about Catherine Keener as an inflexible director from a studio and John Turturro as a traitor agent who is only worried in charging his next commission. But the best performance of What Just Happened comes from De Niro, who can credibly express the tumult of emotions his character must keep under control in order not to ruin his career or his personal life. However, despite the competent performances, I do not feel that What Just Happened deserves even a slight recommendation, because I found it to be a boring and unfunny satire which lacks of ambition.

TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews A producer(DeNiro) with two ex-wives and families tries to get a British artsy director(Wincott) to change the ending of their most recent film, and Bruce Willis to shave off a beard(he's also gained weight, but no one seems to worry about him losing *that*) before he stars in a movie. The clock is ticking on both, and it's astounding just how little we care. Oh, and yes, that actually is the entire story. It certainly isn't enough for a feature. Maybe this should have been a TV pilot? There are several subplots, one more unresolved and utterly pointless than the next. I haven't read the memoirs that this is based upon. The acting is good, with the possible exception of Tucci(not sure what happened there). We've got real talent, but they can't reanimate the dead material they're given. There is barely anything funny in this at all. The handful of jokes are drawn out endlessly. Granted, Robert talking with Robin and "trying to be understanding" is amusing, and this can make you smile every now and then. On the whole, the punchline is that Hollywood is full of sex with underage girls, drugs and personal problems. Newsflash: We know. And it isn't delivered in any kind of fresh way. Maybe part of the issue is that these are in-jokes... we don't get them. This has been called indulgent and arrogant, and I completely agree. Why make a big flick that won't appeal to anyone not in the business? This is slow-paced and incredibly boring. It's too bad, because the editing and cinematography(with some hand-held camera) aren't bad. This is meant to be a satire... I'd go for S1m0ne over it any day. It's the worst I've seen by Levinson. There is a bunch of strong language, a bit of moderate, bloody violence and disturbing content and brief nudity in this. The DVD comes with a trailer. I recommend this only to the most forgiving of potential viewers. 5/10