george.schmidt Review of What Just Happened

What Just Happened (2008)

Fairly humorous send-up of Hollywood with a low-key De Niro & a game Willis

[7/10 · 12 November 2008]

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? (2008) **1/2 Robert De Niro, Robin Wright Penn, Catherine Keener, Michael Wincott , Stanley Tucci, John Turturro, Kristen Stewart (as themselves: Bruce Willis and Sean Penn). Satirical comedy about a harried Hollywood producer (De Niro, surprisingly low- key), who is juggling a troubled post-production on a Sean Penn film with a difficult studio head (Keener at her ball-busting best) and an enfante terrible director (Wincott channeling Keith Richards); sex with his ex (Wright Penn); and attempting to coerce Willis (in a fun send- up of his image) to shave his bushy beard for his current production. Based on real-life film producer Art Linson's book (he also adapted the screenplay) and directed by Barry Levinson, it has more hits than misses yet its similar tone to De Niro/Levinson's "Wag the Dog" and "The Player" doesn't come as close for black comedy