Review of What Just Happened (2008) by Danielle S — 21 Mar 2009

A super-producer, Ben (Robert De Niro) is facing professional ruin when his latest film, the dog-killing Sean Penn opus "Fiercely", tests poorly, and the studio honcho (Catherine Keener) starts breathing down his neck to recut the film.

Compounding Ben's problems are domestic issues with his ex-wife (Robin Wright Penn), professional spats with the combative director of "Fiercely" (Michael Wincott), and beard issues with a tremendously sensitive Bruce Willis.

Attempting to juggle all his troubles, Ben feels the pinch, racing around Los Angeles trying to placate his enemies with hopes that time, and exceptional box office returns, will save his career. Despite the final product not being hilarious, Linson's script is sharp, Levinson's direction is predictably solid.

Actors and directors clamor for artistic integrity, but in reality artistic vision is only license for their own selfishness. The studios, on the other hand, stroke the egos of artists while simultaneously breaking their balls.

Because Ben is just a middle man trying to skim money off the top at the intersection of art and business, he is viewed with suspicion from both sides. It uses postmodern devices to set up a story and then loses them along the way when it tries to bring the film to a satisfying conclusion.