The Deal (2008)
Charlie Berns is a veteran Hollywood movie producer who has given up on his career and life. That is until his idealistic screenwriter nephew comes bearing the script of a lifetime and Charlie decides to give his career one final shot. The only thing standing in his way is Diedre Hearn, a sharp-witted studio executive brought in to keep Charlie in line.
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There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Blistering performances.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
No, this movie was not vying for any major awards or trying to teach lessons about humanity. But if you want to get a mostly entertaining/mocking look at the making of a movie and the people involved you could do worse. Macy didn't quite pull off his witty, wise, and blithe (?) character but he is still fun. The rest of the cast hold their own as well(I've never seen much of LL but he was good). Along with the over-the-top characters(Soapdish comes to mind) you may enjoy the not so mainstream humor. I did and I'm sure I may have missed some of the jokes. So for a movie that I happened upon while surfing I was satisfied.
A washed-up jaded disillusioned screenwriter takes a great art-house script, ruins it and turns it into an awful action movie all for the benefit of his own personal joke. There's no comedy here and the film development moves so fast it's impossible to follow what's going on, how or indeed why. The lead characters have no chemistry and with no hint of a tongue anywhere near a cheek it would seem this film is one massive joke on the audience. There's no wit, no sense of irony, no cleverness i just sincerely hope this is William H Macy's career nadir because to sink any lower would take a remarkable feat of hitherto unknown physical dexterity on his part. Watching a large tin of emulsion drying would be preferable any day over watching this steaming cow dung of a film ever again.
So, I enjoyed this film. I thought it was well done, well acted and funny. But notice no 'very's and not hilarious. I am pretty sure I got the humor as intended, although not being Israeli, or Jewish, and as I can't speak/understand yiddish, I am also sure I missed a bit.I would recommend this movie, and in fact, have just done so to a coworker, to anyone who likes the chick-flickish genre of Who's Got Mail, etc.My only comment about the choices of actors for the film is that I would have liked to see Tea Leoni as the lead female. I think she is a very under-appreciated comic actor.
To IMDb: 2-15-2009 I am a writer and independent film producer. This movie was one of the most masterful projects I have seen. William Macy is a brilliant writer with his understanding of the business, he created a surreal story, that was funny, fast paced, and packed with intelligent dialog. Every second was a thrill. WARNING this movie is not for those who are ADD. If you cannot give this film the attention it deserves, you should go outside and play in traffic, you would be better served. Both William and Meg deserve Oscar's for this one. This should be one of the biggest box office hits of the year. The problem is when a good movie comes out and there is not enough advertising nobody ever knows about it. This is one of those must see movies of the decade. It is a best in the world of motion pictures you will ever experience. I have watched the movie three times. It is one of those movies that gets better every time you watch it. Sincerely John Quest Emerald Sunrise Productions.