What Just Happened

With someone like Barry Levinson in charge of a project you can expect good things. Not to mention the all star cast that make up the movie. Robert DeNiro, Stanley Tucci, John Tuturro, Sean and Robin Wright Penn, Katherine Keener, Bruce Willis, and last but not least my dear Kristen Stewart. This uncomfortably funny satire on the movie industry was highly entertaining while asking some deeper questions of life in general. Even if those questions are answered in this movie with a morose view of life.

The first of these questions he sets forth to the audience is 'What is power?' Of this question, DeNiro's character says, "I don't care what they say, you either have, want it, or you're afraid of losing it" This is certainly a truthful statement of the world at large but is undoubtedly so in the fickle movie business. Levinson's technique of using this question framed as nice neat bookends is different for him, but as a Hollywood convention it works well and certainly so in this case.However, being a believer in manifestation and attention, I must add that, though a popular idea, it is incorrect.

As with everything in life (love, wealth, influence, control, and the list continues) the more one is concerned with 'How much you have?', 'How to get more?' and 'How to I keep what I have?' the less they DO have. By being concerned be a lack of power, you continue to lack. By believing in your power, your power increases. You see many characters throughout this movie experiencing the negative side of this in their lives.

How many times has this story been played out in relationships?? The 'needy' or 'clingy' person imagines their partner to be pulling away and begins to panic. By putting attention and focus on the perceived separation they will overcompensate by becoming increasingly needy. In turn, the partner in question will feel even more smothered and will seek even more freedom until eventually there isn't a relationship to speak of. I personally believe that concentration on the positive is the only way to achievement. "You are your attention."

This movie told me once again what a dark place Hollywood is, full of uncaring, power hunger assholes. Though other movies may have told it better Robert DeNiro is still great. And character that John Tuturro that created was superb as always. Beside these two nice performances, I did like the look of the 'behind the scenes' movie making process. It was interesting to see a producers point of view. Especially when the DeNiro's character is based on the legendary Art Linson, [Fight Club, Into the Wild]. He wrote the screenplay for this movie based on his book Bitter Hollywood Tales From the Front Line.

Bottom Line: Nice movie about movies. Though it didn't have as much heart as some others, it stands up and gives a good try. Recommended for any other cinephiles.