The performances, however, are very enjoyable, with first honors going to Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest.
Overview
After young playwright, David Shayne obtains funding for his play from gangster Nick Valenti, Nick's girlfriend Olive miraculously lands the role of a psychiatrist—but not only is she a bimbo who could never pass for a psychiatrist—she's a dreadful actress. David puts up with the leading man who is a compulsive eater, the grand dame who wants her part jazzed up, and Olive's interfering hitman/bodyguard—but, eventually he must decide whether art or life is more important.
Director and cast
- Woody Allen Director
- John Cusack as David Shayne
- Chazz Palminteri as Cheech
- Dianne Wiest as Helen Sinclair
- Jennifer Tilly as Olive Neal
- Mary-Louise Parker as Ellen
- Tracey Ullman as Eden Brent
- Jim Broadbent as Warner Purcell
- Joe Viterelli as Nick Valenti
- Harvey Fierstein as Sid Loomis
- Rob Reiner as Sheldon Flender
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
A backstage comedy bolstered by healthy shots of prohibition gangster melodrama and romantic entanglements.
Mr. Allen has drawn on autobiographical specifics in other films, but this may be the one in which he speaks most seriously from the heart.
If not bowled over, we're at least won over.
One of Allen's best and most revealing comedies, as much a moral meditation as it is dazzling fun.
More films
Léon: The Professional (1994)
Action · Crime · Drama · R
Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Director
- Luc Besson
- Cast
- Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman
Taxi Driver (1976)
Crime · Drama · R
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
- Runtime
- 1h 54m
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Cast
- Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel
Lost in Translation (2003)
Comedy · Drama · Romance · R
Two lost souls visiting Tokyo -- the young, neglected wife of a photographer and a washed-up movie star shooting a TV commercial -- find an odd solace and pensive freedom to be real in each other's company, away from their lives in America.
- Runtime
- 1h 42m
- Director
- Sofia Coppola
- Cast
- Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Comedy · Drama · Romance · Approved
Holly Golightly is an eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. But when young writer Paul Varjak moves into her apartment building, her past threatens to get in their way.
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
- Director
- Blake Edwards
- Cast
- Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Adventure · Comedy · Science Fiction · PG
Marty and Doc are at it again as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set things straight, Marty finds himself bound for 1955 and face to face with his teenage parents -- again.
- Runtime
- 1h 48m
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Cast
- Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson
The Lorax (2012)
Animation · Family · PG
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Chris Renaud
- Cast
- Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms
Home Makeover (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
When a social worker visits Gru’s house to assess its suitability for children, chaos ensues. Margo, Edith, and Agnes, along with the ever-mischievous Minions, scramble to give the home a makeover in record time. Their attempts to create a warm and inviting environment quickly spiral into hilarity as the Minions’ unorthodox methods lea...
- Runtime
- 5m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher
Orientation Day (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
The Minions embark on their first day of work, eager to prove themselves in their new roles. After watching a hilariously outdated 'Initiation Video,' three rookie Minions take on bomb-carrying duty. Predictably, their enthusiasm quickly spirals into chaos as they bungle the simplest of tasks. Packed with slapstick comedy and the Minio...
- Runtime
- 4m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Pierre Coffin, Rob Huebel











Comments
Talk about the film with other members