‘What Just Happened’ is a Mildly Entertaining Satire
-----‘What Just Happened’ seemed interesting mainly thanks to its all star cast. And while a satire on the movie business isn’t a new concept, who could turn down Bruce Willis playing a caricature of himself? I couldn’t.
-----‘What Just Happened’ tells the story of a movie producer named Ben. The film takes place during only one week of his life. Whether he’s making the ending to a movie more audience-friendly, trying to relate with his daughter, or getting Bruce Willis to shave his beard, there’s never a dull moment for Ben.
-----Robert De Niro plays the powerful and busy Ben. Ben’s struggles with his personal life and business are portrayed adequately in the hands of the veteran actor. The true comedy, however, comes from the actors portraying themselves. Sean Penn plays the star of an artsy, violent film which Ben has to censor for the Cannes Film Festival. His melodramatic death in the Cannes-hopeful is a funny spoof on his own award-prone roles. Even funnier is Bruce Willis as the star of an upcoming film that’s going to be shut down by the studio if he doesn’t shave his beard. Acting as an exaggerated form of himself, Willis’ temper tantrums are hilarious. Rounding out the cast are small, but effective roles from John Turturro, Stanley Tucci, and Kristen Stewart as Ben’s estranged daughter.
-----The movie is adequate from a technical standpoint, never having much to do in this realistic spoof of one week in a producer’s life. Other than a somewhat suburban to Hollywood mood swap every now and then, ‘What Just Happened’ is conventional filmmaking. While a bit slapstick at some times, the film ultimately works due to its laid back stance and ability to make fun of itself. The humor is more than not, effective, mainly thanks to Willis’ and Penn’s self-deconstructions. And while the script is agreeably forgettable, it is an enjoyable 104 minutes.
-----People who enjoy some slapstick and ridiculous parody-style humor will probably enjoy ‘What Just Happened.’ As forgettable fun, it probably won’t appeal to the masses. The only other demographic that may find an interest in the film is those in, or interested in, the Hollywood proceedings. Regardless, NO Bruce Willis fan should miss this chance to see him erupt over having to shave his beard.
