What Just Happened: DVD Review
What Just Happened
Rating: M
Cast:
Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Sean Penn, Stanley
Tucci, Kristen Stewart
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
In this "satire" of Hollywood, Robert De Niro stars as Ben, a
fading producer.As the film opens, Ben's just witnessed his latest
film, Fiercely starring Sean Penn, being savaged at a test
screening - and he knows this could signal the end of his time at
the top.
As if that wasn't bad enough he's having trouble with his ex Kelly
(Robin Wright Penn) and to give him a trio of troubles, his
attempts to get Bruce Willis to shave off his bushy beard so their
latest project isn't canned, are not going well.
So Ben finds himself in the middle of a life crisis - as well as a
career one - can he pull any of it back?
What Just Happened isn't a bad film; it's just not as savage as
it could be - while Penn and Willis play themselves, De Niro seems
to play another more chilled out version of himself as he tries to
juggle all the respective balls.
Given how successful The Player was at doing this kind of satire
years ago(and it's inevitable these two will be compared) I have to
admit I was expecting a little more caustic wit and biting satire
about the industry.
Overall, coupled with a complete lack of extras, What Just Happened
is somewhat of a disappointment - when you consider what kind of
potential there was here, it's just a shame nothing more came of
it.
Rating: 6/10
