A sharp, fast, laugh-out-loud comedy.
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
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Reviews Counted:53
Fresh:51
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.9/10
Consensus: Some of Allen's sharpest, most inspired late-period comedy.
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: David Shayne (John Cusack, in performance his character that of a young Woody Allen) is an idealistic young playwright whose life (and play) is about to be turned upside down as it heads toward... David Shayne (John Cusack, in performance his character that of a young Woody Allen) is an idealistic young playwright whose life (and play) is about to be turned upside down as it heads toward Broadway. In order to gain financing for GOD OF OUR FATHERS, Shayne agrees to hire Olive Neal (a wonderfully high-squeaking Jennifer Tilly), the actress/girlfriend of Nick Valenti, a potential backer--who also happens to be a gangster. Unfortunately, the lass proves to be not only talent-free but ditzy to boot, a hindrance since she is supposed to play a psychiatrist. But Cheech, Olive's hoodlum bodyguard, proves to be more intuitive artistically than anyone would suspect, as his contributions improve not only Olive's performance but the quality of the flailing play as well. Meanwhile, Shayne must contend with an odd assortment of actors, including the neurotic Eden Brent, with her omnipresent, yapping dog; the pompous Warner Purcell, a corset-wearing overeater; and haughty leading lady Helen Sinclair (a fabulous Dianne Wiest), the aging, boozing diva with whom Shayne begins a romance. The laughs keep coming like rapid machine-gun fire in this riotous Woody Allen farce. [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly, Jack Warden
Starring: John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly, Jack Warden, Chazz Palminteri, Rob Reiner, Mary-Louise Parker, Harvey Fierstein, Jim Broadbent, Tracey Ullman, Joe Viterelli, Debi Mazar, Tony Sirico
Director: Woody Allen
Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath
Producer: Robert Greenhut
Reviews for Bullets Over Broadway
As one-liningly sharp and self-deprecating as you'd expect. If not more so.
The performances, however, are very enjoyable, with first honors going to Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest.
A backstage comedy bolstered by healthy shots of prohibition gangster melodrama and romantic entanglements.
Essentially a backstage comedy about artists and gangsters in 1920s New York, the film doesn't break any new ground but it's pleasantly amusing and benefits from charming turns from Diane Wiest as the grand dame and John Cusack as the young artist.
You can watch Bullets Over Broadway with the sound off and have a thrilling time. You can listen to it from the next room and achieve total bliss.
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