btm1 If you have a good sense of humor -- sophisticated humor, not slap stick or farce -- you will enjoy this movie about character actors and their efforts to break out of their ruts. The premise is that four actors who have long been close friends, are all dissatisfied with the parts they have been lucky to get, if they are getting them at all. Johnny DiMartino, the short obese bald member of the quartet, is called by Theresa (Beverly D'Angelo), a casting director who is a friend of the quartet, for an audition about the title role in a Marty Scorcese (who plays himself) movie about Al Capone. Only he has to keep this very hush hush. The one predictable part of the film is that keeping a secret in Hollywood is not going to happen. The first half of the movie involves the comedy of how the secret gets spread (no, not by the actors' wives, but by actor envy and insecurity). The second half deals with their preparation for the auditions, and of course the climax.An interesting piece of trivia is that actor Robert Costanzo who plays Johnny DiMartino, the actor Theresa selected to audition for the part of Al Capone, actually played that part in "Sizzle," a 1981 ABC TV movie featuring John Forsythe and Loni Anderson.

whpratt1 Thought this film would be rather interesting since I love all the actors in this film, however, it held my interest for about an hour and then I simply got entirely tired of the characters in the film repeat themselves over and over again. These actors are all striving to find acting positions and at the same time are good friends from way back when. However, there is a gangster role that seems to be in the making and all these actors secretly make an appointment to try out for the role. All the characters practice over and over again and this film becomes boring right to the bitter end. Do not recommend viewing this film, however, everyone might feel completely different.

baldwinsd10 It is so refreshing to watch a comedy with no slap-stick humor, only clever, funny dialogue. It was a joy to see from the beginning to end. The scriptwriter does not manipulate the audience, he draws them in with a great plot and many twists and turns. The scene in the library was a big surprise, and the ending is totally unexpected. I don't think anyone knew what would be in that suitcase. Bill Murray makes a wonderful appearance as Maurice in the party scene. I had a big chuckle watching him take home all that food! This movie takes you into the private world of struggling actors desperate enough to risk friendships in order to get that big break in their careers. Although it's all tongue in cheek I am willing to surmise the writing is based on true life experience. See it, you won't regret it!

dilbert and actors don't get any smaller than this handful of marginal character actors in LA who are falling all over each other, stabbing each other in the back, lying, cheating, threatening, and deceiving in order to get cast in the lead role in a new Scorsese film. And they're all friends!This is a wonderful film. It's funny, the acting is excellent (I particularly liked Adam Arkin), and the climax is something you just don't see coming. A lot of the humor is film industry insider stuff, but most people who get out occasionally will get most of it. Watch for this one - it won't be around long if it comes around at all.