oOoBarracuda I'm ready to admit a struggle in Woody Allen's filmography. I don't know if it was DreamWorks Studios attempt to curtail Woody Allen to more family-friendly fare, or if Allen actually did experience a rough patch in creativity, but the early 2000's so far have been underwhelming. Watching The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Hollywood Ending back to back, I was most stricken by the seeming lack of direction the two films shared in common. Both films had a plot that just seemed to ebb and flows throughout the film rather than being catapulted through by a witty and strong script as I've grown accustomed to from a Woody Allen film. Hollywood Ending was Woody's 2002 film starring Woody Allen and Téa Leoni as a divorced pair working in the entertainment industry who work together once more for perhaps old times sake or retribution. Val Waxman (Woody Allen) is an Oscar-winning director whose reputation for being difficult having preceded him resulting in his lull in offers for work. Ellie (Téa Leoni) divorced Val 10-years prior after leaving him for a studio head whom she currently works with. Despite their past, Ellie believes that Val is the perfect director for a $60 million project "The City that Never Sleeps". Val has "the city of New York in his D.N.A. and goes to bat for him being considered as the director for the project. Against all odds, Val gets the job despite his dismay that his ex-wife is the one that was pushing for him so intently. The stress of a big film project, working with his ex-wife, and the troubled relationship with his son has resulted in a psycho-sematic case of blindness. Unable to see, Val and those closest to him create an elaborate ruse to hide that fact from the studio heads long enough for him to finish the film. Once Ellie finds out, Val expects her to out him to her studio executive boyfriend immediately, instead, she helps him hide his temporary blindness and the two rekindle their relationship.It's hard to believe one of the greatest American screenwriters is responsible for such a trope as Hollywood Ending. The script was clever in parts but overall suffered from poor pacing and a storyline which left little to engage with. The scene in which Woody was giving his side of an argument with Ellie to be interrupted by the man at the next table was reminiscent of Annie Hall in a beautiful way. Hollywood Ending was tough to get through and may have suffered a bit from being part of my Woody Allen retrospective project. The film probably isn't as bad on its own but watching it against several other Woody Allen films where it seemed like the director never missed left me thoroughly underwhelmed by it.

SnoopyStyle Val Waxman (Woody Allen) is a fading Oscar-winning film director but he's becoming an even bigger diva. He has been reduced to making a TV commercial in a Canadian blizzard. Lori (Debra Messing) is his aspiring actress girlfriend. His ex-wife Ellie (Téa Leoni) convinces her studio head boyfriend Hal (Treat Williams) to hire Val to direct her dream project. Hal had stolen Ellie from Val and Val still holds a grudge. Val suffers psychosomatic blindness from the stress and his agent Al struggles to cover for him as he films the movie blind.I didn't really laugh. There's one basic joke and then it's the same thing repeating. Val is annoyingly bitter and not in a funny way. I don't really care about any of the characters. I want to like this Woody film more but there is something off and I can't completely put my finger on it.

namashi_1 While watching 'Hollywood Ending', I re-confirmed the fact that there is, there was and there will be only one Woody Allen. The Legendary Film Personality seems to be having a blast in this Funny Flick about a Has-Been Filmmaker who decides to direct a film for his ex, but a psychosomatic ailment strikes him blind just before production is set to begin.! 'Hollywood Ending' is meant for all, it's funny and way to Filmy. Allen is like never-before! He's astounding after he turns blind, he captures the show and like how! I am in awe of him. He can Write, Direct and Act, with such style, such ease and such understanding! He's one of those talents that remain as Legends till you watch Cinema! Watch 'Hollywood Ending' for Woody Allen, he sinks his teeth into the departments he puts himself into. Reccmended to all!

FilmCriticLalitRao The mark of a good comedy is that audiences must get a healthy dose of Buster Keaton kind of humor.If that is not the case,a film must not be considered a good example of a classic of comedy genre.Woody Allen surely knows how to make films as he has made films which have become an integral part of American cultural landscape.However,it can be said that his magic has not at all worked wonders with "Hollywood Ending",a strange film which was chosen to open Cannes International Film festival 2002.The trouble with "Hollywood Ending" is that one does not know what Woody Allen is trying to portray.The comedy parts are very much dramatic in nature and laughs are few and far between.This is due to the fact that at surface level his film looks like a product of American culture but on deep introspection one finds that Woody Allen has made a film that not only takes American cinema for a ride but also lampoons Hollywood.This is something which was not accepted by audiences all over the world.French people are the only cinema audiences who appreciate such kind of cinema. This is the reason why such a flop American film has been lapped up by Gallic audiences.