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Bullets Over Broadway (1994) 15.gif

Bullets Over Broadway

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Average rating
(69%)
 
Starring: John Cusack | Dianne Wiest | Jennifer Tilly | Jack Warden | Chazz Palminteri | Rob Reiner | Marie-Louise Parker | Harvey Fierstein | Jim Broadbent | Tracey Ullman | Joe Viterelli | Debi Mazar | Tony Sirico
Director: Woody Allen
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 95 mins
Genres: Comedy | Drama
Languages: English
Released: June 15, 2006
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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.

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Rating of 4 stars out of 5
Radio Times

This is the final part of what might be called Woody Allen's “nostalgia” trilogy. Coming after his paeans to the movies (The Purple Rose of Cairo) and radio (Radio Days), it celebrates the heyday of New York's theatreland. As with the two earlier films, Allen remains behind the camera, giving his typically excellent ensemble cast its chance to shine in the spotlight. John Cusack and Jennifer Tilly snatch at this glorious opportunity with a shade too much enthusiasm. As the earnest playwright making his Broadway debut, Cusack is in the unenviable position of playing a role a younger Allen would almost certainly have taken himself, and he rather fumbles some classic Woodyisms. Tilly similarly fails to emerge from the shadow of Judy Holliday's Oscar-winning role in Born Yesterday despite adopting Holiday's nails-on-slate accent to play yet another mobster's moll forced to embrace culture. However, one of Allen's great strengths is his ability to create memorable minor characters and Bullets boasts two of his best in Cheech, the gangster with a poet's soul, and Helen Sinclair, an amorous, alcoholic actress. Dianne Wiest thoroughly deserved her best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as Sinclair, but Chazz Palminteri's Cheech is, perhaps, even more remarkable, and he was decidedly unlucky to come up against Martin Landau's sensational and, in the end, Oscar-winning turn as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood. Providing teasing insights into how Allen views his own body of work, this is essentially a debate about whether the artist's duty is to retain his own integrity or pander to popular taste. It's also darn good entertainment.

Rating of 2 stars out of 5
Halliwell's Film Guide

Witty and entertaining backstage comedy on the theme of artistic integrity, performed and directed in a sprightly manner.

Highest rated reviews

4 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:


Shhh. Don't say speak, don't speak, don't say anything

A Customer from London, 19th January, 2004

I remember hearing once that Bullets Over Broadway was the film that Woody considered his best.

After watching this film again, I had to disagree with him. That is, this movie isn't just one of his best, but I would have to put in the top five of all comedy films.

The plot is lovely and silly, it's romantic and all of the actors give great performances.

Even if you don't like Woody Allen films, I suggest you add this one to your list today. And if you are a Woody fan and haven't seen this yet, then get on it...

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:


Not a Woody fan, but loved the film!

PandaHoops from London, 6th September, 2004

I guess it helps that he's not actually in the piece. Not much more to say than very enjoyable, soft hilarious romp with a spectacular cast. Meg Tilly is absolutely brilliant as the ditzy gangster's moll with a penchant for acting far greater than her ability to perform. Dianne Wiest is also brilliant, as is Jim Broadbent and John Cusack.

The story is predictable, but with acting this superb and writing this sharp, who cares?

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:


Not his best

A Customer from Oxford, England, 7th February, 2004

Entertaining enough but not Allen's best film. Few good lines but you don't really have anything to think about after it is over.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:


Solid Allen if not great

McClennan from from St Helens, 7th August, 2005

To what extent should an artist sacrifice his vision? Difficult question to answer and explored in some detail in this film. Good, strong performances all round with snippets taken from too many influences to identify. Not one of Allen’s strongest works and the film doesn’t quite ask the questions like you know it could, yet the script and acting still elevate this above most.

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Most recent reviews


great film

A Customer from brighton, 23rd June, 2007

though not as intellectually clever as some of allen's more revered films, this one gains a lot from its focus on irreverently used stereotypes. the narrative is funny and entertaining, and contains more accessible references than allen's more self consciously smart works. this is also a lovely example of how to throw a spanner in the works, in this case for theatre archetypes. i loved helen sinclair, her manager, and cheech, though all of the characters are fantastic and the actors, especially dianne wiest and chazz palminteri, give wonderful turns. very enjoyable if you don't expect it to regularly refer to the deeper meaning of literature or dead philosophers.

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Very entertaining

Michael from Northumberland, 22nd March, 2007

Great comedy as usual from Allen. He maybe should have have considered playing the lead. Fantastic story about a young playwright in the 1930's who is helped by a gangster to improve his script. Good supporting cast.

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woody at his best - hes not in it

martin priestley from ringwood,dorset, 28th July, 2006

each time i watch this film isee more and more funny stuff. woody at his best - his role is played by john cusack - brings out a remarkable array of humorous characters. see it and giggle

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