A good cast, an often reliable director (Barry Levinson) and potentially meaty source material (the memoirs of Hollywood producer Art Linson) can’t save this turgid outing — yet another swipe at the shallowness of the Dream Factory by those working within it. Robert DeNiro portrays a harried producer (is there any other kind?) during one typically bad week: He has one film to re-cut after it flunks a test-screening (a loopy director with “artistic principles” stands in the way) and another film being delayed by … wait for it … Bruce Willis’ heavy beard. There’s little fresh here — temperamental stars, neurotic screenwriters, pandering producers, pissy ex-wives, screwed-up kids, business-focused studio heads. But even a retread might fly — who doesn’t enjoy seeing Catherine Keener, John Turturro and Stanley Tucci? — if only there were some laughs. Starts Fri., Nov. 14.
This article appears in Nov 13-19, 2008.
