What Just Happened? (2008)

Based on the Book by Art Linson
Screenplay by Art Linson
Directed by Barry Levinson

There have been many movies made about the inner hilarity that exists in the ridiculous "industry" that is Hollywood movie making, and What Just Happened? is one of the better films in the genre, because it sticks to its realistic portrayals of Hollywood stereotypes in action, the overbearing studio boss, the blocked screenwriter, and the disgruntled star actor. What separates this film from others like it is the personal relationship the writer held with the characters and the world in which it takes place.

Written by former agent/producer Art Linson, it's a film about the people that work in Hollywood, and how even though their larger-than-life careers may seem like high accomplishments to the general public, their lives are just as complicated and messy as the mass audiences that watch their films.

The story centers on Ben (De Niro) a producer who has two ex-wives, a teen daughter from his first marriage that he can't manage, and two younger girls from his second marriage that he tries to keep pace with. In his professional life, the latest film he made is ordered to be changed by the studio boss (Catherine Keener) much to the chagrin of his over-emotional director Jeremy (Michael Wincott).

Through Ben's life of test-screenings and studio meetings, he tries to do right by the art is he is helping to create, but at the same time he tries harder to manage his personal life around his overbearing career. He has to contend with marriage counseling, while at the same time trying to counsel Bruce Willis over the impending loss of his beard for Ben's next film.

A very funny, honest look at the life of a Hollywood player, De Niro is great in an understated performance and he has a great supporting cast to fill in the gaps with such actors as Wincott, Keener, Willis, and John Turturro as Willis' frightened agent, who is an agent through and through.

The technical side was well covered, great cinematography, hilarious performances from all involved, and the locations are well dressed and expertly planned. The films they are shooting inside the movie probably looked exactly like the crew that was shooting the film itself. Wouldn't be surprised if they used the same crew and just did two set ups while they shot.

9.1/10