What Just Happened (2008)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Barry Levinson

Writers (WGA):

Art Linson (written by)
Art Linson (book)

Release Date:

28 November 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

In Hollywood, everybody can hear you scream.

Plot:

Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer who's having a rough time trying to get his new picture made.

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Beard | Agent | Ex Wife | Actor

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Ben
Sean Penn	...	Himself
Catherine Keener	...	Lou Tarnow
Bruce Willis	...	Actor
John Turturro	...	Dick Bell
Robin Wright Penn	...	Kelly
Stanley Tucci	...	Scott Solomon
Kristen Stewart	...	Zoe
Michael Wincott	...	Jeremy Brunell
Jason Kravits	...	Pollster (as Jason Kravitz)
Mark Ivanir	...	Johnny
Remy K. Selma	...	Jimmy (as Remy Selma)
Christopher Evan Welch	...	Studio Marketing Guy
Lily Rabe	...	Dawn
Sam Levinson	...	Carl

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violent images, sexual content and some drug material.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44075) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12 (f)

Filming Locations:

California State University Northridge - 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

Though the book "What Just Happened: Bitter Hollywood Tales From the Front Line" is a non-fiction account of Art Linson's experiences as a film producer, Linson chose to adapt it as a work of fiction, taking inspiration from the book.

Movie Connections:

References C'era una volta il West (1968)

Soundtrack:

Flow of Experience

Mild In The Streets

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? is a Mild and Mellow work without the over-used device of Satire. If you are looking for a trenchant commentary on the movie industry-look elsewhere. For that kind of incisive, satirical approach you might want to check out Robert Altman's, THE PLAYER. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? accurately, yet amusingly, documents two weeks in the life of a highly successful Hollywood producer. And, the film accomplishes this task quite well. We are treated to a 'behind the scenes' look at a producer's nearly insane difficulties in bringing two film projects to fruition. Robert DeNiro's performance is all about 'restraint'. As the producer, his role is to make all of these wildly divergent elements function with synchronicity. And, since nearly all of the goals of these factions are diametrically opposed, it is a nearly impossible task. Throughout the film, DeNiro only 'reacts', because-above all-he must placate ALL of the players in the process, and the viewer easily empathizes with his character. In addition, the rest of the stellar cast turned in memorable characterizations as denizens of this high-pressure universe. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? is a wry and entertaining look at how Hollywood films are made, yet was not designed to 'blow the lid' off of the film industry.