Eric Stevenson
I admit that I miss not seeing Woody Allen himself in the movies he made, but this was just fine. This movie tells the story of the problems a group of people go through when trying to make a play. It's kind of weird that this would be qualified as a comedy, because it really wasn't. There were definitely funny bits in it. My favorite was when Helen said she hadn't drank since New Year's. That is, Chinese New Year's, which was a few days ago.I'm just so impressed at how authentic this movie is. They really wanted to set the mood for what life was like in the 1920's. I didn't even recognize Jennifer Tilly at first, but I did recognize her voice. This film is lit up by great conversations, especially the one where they talk about how they don't feel much when they kill a person. It's not as big a classic as "Annie Hall" but is still great. Don't speak, I know just what you're saying. ***1/2
christopher-underwood
Set in 20s New York and featuring many great Gershwin songs, Woody Allen, without himself appearing, tells the story of a young aspiring playwright and a bunch of rather pretentious actors, contriving to put on a play in an old Broadway theatre. There is much fun to be had with the notion of man vs man the artist and indeed art and life itself and the whole is very funny with excellent performances. Dianne West is great as the old dame who one way or another will have her way and Jennifer Tilly fantastic as the gangster's moll, would be actress. Tracy Ullman is surely at her very best and least annoying and if John Cusack struggles here and there it must be because he has the unenviable task of playing Allen. Chazz Palminteri's role is pivotal as he gradually insinuates himself into centre stage, without any interruption to his extremely violent day job, of course. Its a few years since I last saw this and I had forgotten how much location shooting there is which ensures the film does not become bogged down within the admittedly attractive theatrical setting.
Gideon24
Woody Allen scored another comedic bullseye with 1994's Bullets over Broadway, another delicious comic romp from the Woodmeister that takes the accustomed loopy characters that we are accustomed to from Woody and puts them in a more structured story and a period setting.Set in Manhattan during the 1920's, the film follows a playwright named David Shayne (John Cusack), who is having trouble getting his latest work on Broadway until his agent (Jack Warden) informs he has found a backer for the show, a dim-witted mafioso (Joe Vitrelli) who has agreed to finance the show as long as his girlfriend, Olive (Jennifer Tilly) gets a role in the show. Things get complicated when the don sends a bodyguard named Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) to keep an eye on Olive, but he ends up making life for our hero even more complicated when he starts making suggestions regarding the play and they make it better.This is another example of classic Woody, where Woody brings his own personality to the leading role and Cusack does an admirable job of channeling Woody (only Kenneth Branaugh did it better in Celebrity). Dianne Wiest won her second Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her over-the-top, but totally hilarious turn as Helen Sinclair, a melodramatic Broadway diva who pretends to be in love with Shayne in order to improve her role in the play. Palminteri and Tilly both deliver star-making performances that earned them both Oscar nominations as well. Jim Broadbent has some very funny moments as a hammy actor in the play who has a problem with overeating and Tracy Ullmann is funny as another cast member who is driving Helen crazy with her dog.Woody's screenplay with Douglas McGrath provides all the fun twists and turns we expect from Woody and his sharp direction and flawless ear for music are also assets to a grandly entertaining comedy that Woody's fans will eat up.
leonblackwood
Review: I quite enjoyed this movie, even though it does seem to drag in some parts. The actors made the movie interesting and Woody Allen wrote a witty script which was more dramatic than funny. The concept, which is based around a writer producing a play with the pressure from the mob to cast a bad actress, wasn't bad and I have to give credit to the cast, who all put in great performances. The actors who play the gangsters, seem to be in every gangster movie that comes out, but they made movie enjoyable, even though the movie wasn't totally based around them. I have learnt not to have high expectations for movies nowadays so when I see a well made movie, I end up enjoying it even more. This movie is well put together by Allen and he portrayed the period well, even though the storyline is a bit silly in parts. In all, it's a average movie with some good scenes and good performances, but it could have been a better movie if it didn't have the comedy element. Average!Round-Up: This film definitely wouldn't have worked if Woody Allen was in it. He seemed to cut out the silly lines, which I have seen in many of his movies, which is why the film really did work. John Cusack was good as the lead, but it was Dianne Wiest that made me laugh. She was playing a role that was completely out of her comfort zone, but she played it well, especially when she kept on telling John Cusack to Shhhh! Tracy Ullman also played her role well alongside Jim Broadbent, and I enjoyed the whole gangster side to the film. Personally, I was expecting a typical Woody Allen movie about sex and troubled relationships, but this film wasn't that bad and I must admit, I did stay interested throughout. Budget: $20million Worldwide Gross: $13millionI recommend this movie to people who are into there Woody Allen movies about a play writer whose determined to get his play on Broadway with the help from the mob. 6/10
AD
