CheerupSilver
Very Cool!!!
Titreenp
SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
InformationRap
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
itai-orion
Take an interesting subject matter, cast a superb, diverse group of actors, introduce original insight into an industry we are all curious about. Sounds promising, no? Sadly, this Hollywood insider comedy-satire is neither interesting nor funny. It seems to have a lot to say, but ultimately says very little. The main character is introduced to us as a man with immense power, who then proceeds to do his best to convince us otherwise during the entirety of the film. A mover-and-shaker who is constantly stopped in his tracks and who's shaking is only in his own boots.If the movie's message is to convince us not to pursue a career in Hollywood, good job. Otherwise, I just don't see the point. The plot leads us no-where, chugging along until it arrives at its extremely unlikely conclusion, which even then does nothing to resolve our storyline. De Niro is impeccable as a producer, Catherine Keener is perfect as a studio head, and Sean Penn (who plays himself) is naturally beyond any reproach. John Turturro does hi thing, and Bruce Willis steals the show. Unfortunately, the film somehow manages to miscast Stanley Tucci, one of the most versatile actors working today. Robin Wright is also there, but is never given a chance to do much. The same goes for Kristen Stewart. A whole lot of talent in one picture, none of which is fully present (with the exception of Willis).Watching this film, I found myself glancing at my wrist, wishing for it to be over but not suffering enough to turn it off. When the ending finally did roll around I found myself sorely disappointed with the lackluster and hollow message we are left with. I think perhaps this movie could have either listened to its own characters more often, or maybe less so. Not sure which...
adonis98-743-186503
Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer who's having a rough time trying to get his new picture made. This is without a doubt the most weird movie Robert De Niro ever starred in although the cast that follows is really great Sean Penn, Robin Wright, Kristen Stewart, John Turturro, Catherine Keener, Stanley Tucci and Bruce Willis this movie was definitely made just in order to show the inside of the big shiny Hollywood life and sure it's slow paced and boring at times but it's a fun, dumb and stupid movie with a great cast and if you turn off your brain you might like it who knows. I'm going to give What Just Happened a 7/10.
Prismark10
The joke with What Just Happened is that its a mainstream film with big stars and they want to pass it off as an independent film. This is a satirical look at the chaos of Hollywood and film making based on the memoirs of film producer Art Linson and directed by Barry Levinson.Robert De Niro is the frazzled producer balancing his precarious personal and professional lives. He has to deal with a prima donna Bruce Willis who refuses to shave off his beard and a highly strung British director who wants an uncompromising ending to a Sean Penn film where a dog meets a nasty fate much to the chagrin of the film studio boss.Its fun poke at Hollywood filled with star turns who are in on the joke and seem to enjoy themselves especially Willis and Penn. I liked Catherine Keener as he studio head who has given an ultimatum to De Niro to fix the film ending and Michael Wincott as the sly director.However we have seen this before and also its been more funnier, bitter and cynical in films such as The Player, The Big Knife, The Big Picture or Sunset Boulevard. Levinson and De Niro wielded a sharper knife when they made Wag the Dog but their effort is more hollow here.
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
