What Just Happened (2008)

This could be the companion piece to Living in Oblivion, with trials and tribulations in the Hollywood studio system instead of the independent milieu. I'm a big fan of Barry Levinson's direction of Diner (1982), Tin Men (1987), Good Morning Vietnam (1987), Bugsy (1991), Wag the Dog (1997), and especially Liberty Heights (1999). I may be the only one who enjoyed Man of the Year (2006), but I'm with the majority in not caring for Envy (2004). Levinson directed Robert De Niro in this satire about a frustrated Hollywood producer, based on the book, What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales from the Front Line, by Art Linson, about his experiences as a producer. Linson also wrote the script. Bruce Willis and Sean Penn played themselves, Penn's wife Robin Wright Penn played Di Niro's ex-wife, and Catherine Keener the cut-throat studio executive. I noticed that many adults threw tantrums in the trailer (that's trailer, as in preview). More tantrums, and objects, were thrown during the movie (and not in a trailer, as in temporary lodgings for an actor). This is not great art, but Jack & I liked it a lot, and we recommend it.