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29 March 2024

Hollywood satire that falls flat

Robert De Niro and Moon Bloodgood can't rescue What Just Happened. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Damon Smith

"What Just Happened?" That might well be the response of audiences who fall asleep during Barry Levinson's film and wake to the sounds of gunfire and a whimpering pooch.

Based on noted film producer Art Linson's memoir, What Just Happened? satirises the inner workings of Hollywood, as seen through the eyes of a middle-aged producer suffering a crisis of confidence.

Robert de Niro stars as film producer Ben, embroiled in couples' separation therapy with ex-wife Kelly (Robin Wright Penn), and struggling to complete a disastrous, controversial new film.

There are a few chuckles but no laugh-out-loud moments in this film, which has taken just $2.9 million (Dh10m) at the box-office since its November 28 release.

Cameos from Sean Penn and Bruce Willis, both playing themselves, fall flat, and the credits can't roll fast enough.