What Just Happened: DVD Review

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