Bullets Over Broadway (1994)

I love this movie so much

Very well executed

Really Surprised!

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Just one of several dozen movies to be musicalized for the Broadway stage since the beginning of the 21st Century, "Bullets Over Broadway" is already musical enough even without being a musical. The 1930's razz-a-mattaz atmosphere comes alive in Woody's love letter to the great white way that is up there with "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Radio Days" in his tributes to nostalgia, a genre known today as "pastiche". Woody's Broadway isn't filled with innocent chorus girls who become stars, just a dumb gangster's moll (Jennifer Tilly) who tries to become an actress after baring practically it all in a mob owned nightclub, and ends up paying for it dearly thanks to the sudden snobbery of her bodyguard, Chazz Palminteri. Writer John Cusack is having a difficult time truly understanding the characters he's writing about for the play being produced, and Palminteri begins helping him out as a ghost writer, ultimately getting his taste of being a Broadway baby, a la one with a machine gun instead of a pacifier. A group of typical Broadway eccentrics surround Cusack in his desire to see his art make it to the big time, and while they all have good intentions (with egos of varying styles attached), they end up causing him more headaches both professionally and personally. Of course, the most memorable is the diva star of the show, Dianne Wiest, as far from her kindly mother roles and previous neurotic Allen characters as she can get. Helen Sinclair is Tallulah without the Southern drawl, a boozy broad who sweeps into the theater as if she were Norma Desmond back on the set. Wiest deservedly won her second Oscar (two for Allen films!) for this showy performance that made legendary the simple lines of "Don't speak!", also comically repeated by Marin Mazzie on Broadway. When she orders two martini's, Cusack is floored by her knowing what he wanted to which she replies dryly, "Oh, you wanted one too?" For this legendary stage star, who never plays frumps and virgins, Cusack is her muse of future greatness, and of course, that lands him in her bed.Tilly typifies the stereotypical dumb moll, although she is not a blonde and quite selfish and nasty underneath her bird brained intelligence. She obviously hates her sugar daddy (Joe Viterelli), a fat old fool of a mobster who loves her in spite of herself, treating him with disdain. Annie Jo Edwards, who refused to be suckered in "The Purple Rose of Cairo", steals every moment she's on as their tough-talking maid who refuses to make anything out of horses when asked to make hor dourves and comments on how their illegal hooch ate threw the bottle. Jim Broadbent appears to eat everything in sight as an aging leading matinée idol who is having a serious weight problem (even eating the dog biscuits of flighty co- star Tracey Ullman) and ends up in an affair with the dumb but horny Tilly. Mary-Louise Parker and Rob Reiner also appear as Cusack's long-suffering wife and his communist best friend who end up betraying him while he's too busy to notice thanks to the stress he's under with everything going on backstage.Allen's most honored film since "Hannah and Her Sisters", it is a delightful valentine to the hard work that goes into the creation of live theater and the dreams of those achieving success that is rarely given. The mixture of artists and the underworld gives it a fun vibe, and everybody delivers the goods. There's tinted effects in the coloring that make it feel very much a part of its era, and that ended up making it the surprise hit of 1994. While the musical chose to use period songs to help tell the story, the few that are heard here are also appropriate to the time as well. Unfortunately, the magic of the movie was missing according to critics for the Broadway version, and it didn't repeat its success on stage that it had found on film. But the cast, while not award winners, were well chosen, and it is a testament to Allen's initial screenplay that it did manage a national tour and a bit of a cult following.

Woody Allen films are not for everyone. Not much happens in them, people keep on talking, there are very few overtly dramatic scenes and the films are generally always quirky. But the fact that he is a master director and a brilliantly artistic storyteller can't be denied. Although his style is very lighthearted, but in a Mozart- esque way, it is deceptively so. He can be hit or miss at times due to the immense rate at which he makes films, but when he is in form, he is absolutely marvellous. Bullets Over Broadway is an example of him being at the top of his form.Bullets Over Broadway is set in 1920s New York which clearly is an era that Allen is fascinated by as he explored it again in one of his subsequent films 'Midnight in Paris' although that was set in Paris. The script beautifully explores both the Broadway as well as the organised crime scene in New York during that time, but in a quintessentially Woody Allen-esque quirky , humorous way. It is the characters and ensemble that make this film fantastic. Every character is colourful, funny and also deep. The central theme that runs through the film is the dilemma that a true artist can experience when he is faced with a decision of picking one option between success or staying true to his/her artistic creations. Should an artist make any compromise just to ensure the success of his work, or should he keep his work uncontaminated even if it is at the cost of commercial failure? Allen also makes a subtle commentary about why we should accept who we are instead of trying to be something that we are not which will ultimately give us fulfillment. While all that might sound heavy, but the film tackles these issues in the most quirky, understated and hilarious manner possible.John Cusack plays the struggling playwright David who is the quintessential Woody Allen character that the director himself has played throughout his life and Cusack is good at it. David is paranoid, neurotic, insecure, slightly delusional and can be manipulated. The character of Helen Sinclair played brilliantly by Dianne Wiest seems clearly inspired by the character of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. She is loud, over the top, at times cranky and also one who still lives in the past and can't let go of her memories. Olive Neal played by Jennifer Tilly arguably provides the most amount of laughs in the film. Tilly is absolutely fantastic as someone trying to be an actor who clearly isn't good at the craft. The character of Cheech played by Chazz Palminteri is thematically probably the most essential character in the context of the screenplay.Palminteri provides great range to the character and makes us like him even though he is a gangster. The ones mentioned along with other characters played by Tracey Ullman,Jim Broadbent,Joe Viterelli,Jack Warden,etc. make the film an extremely colourful experience.The script by Woody Allen and Douglas McGrath is beautiful. It essentially captures the aura of the theatre scene in the 20s and the gangster angle serves as a masterful complementary element. The screenplay is witty, sharp and Allen's direction elevates the film to a higher level.Bullets Over Broadway is probably not my favourite Woody Allen film, but it has certainly become of my favourites of his films and that's saying a lot. Allen's style of storytelling is not too dramatic, but it has a serene quality about it that keeps you engaged and makes the film linger in the viewer's thoughts. Bullets Over Broadway is one of his best.

Review: I quite enjoyed this movie, even though it does seem to drag in some parts. The actors made the movie interesting and Woody Allen wrote a witty script which was more dramatic than funny. The concept, which is based around a writer producing a play with the pressure from the mob to cast a bad actress, wasn't bad and I have to give credit to the cast, who all put in great performances. The actors who play the gangsters, seem to be in every gangster movie that comes out, but they made movie enjoyable, even though the movie wasn't totally based around them. I have learnt not to have high expectations for movies nowadays so when I see a well made movie, I end up enjoying it even more. This movie is well put together by Allen and he portrayed the period well, even though the storyline is a bit silly in parts. In all, it's a average movie with some good scenes and good performances, but it could have been a better movie if it didn't have the comedy element. Average!Round-Up: This film definitely wouldn't have worked if Woody Allen was in it. He seemed to cut out the silly lines, which I have seen in many of his movies, which is why the film really did work. John Cusack was good as the lead, but it was Dianne Wiest that made me laugh. She was playing a role that was completely out of her comfort zone, but she played it well, especially when she kept on telling John Cusack to Shhhh! Tracy Ullman also played her role well alongside Jim Broadbent, and I enjoyed the whole gangster side to the film. Personally, I was expecting a typical Woody Allen movie about sex and troubled relationships, but this film wasn't that bad and I must admit, I did stay interested throughout. Budget: $20million Worldwide Gross: $13millionI recommend this movie to people who are into there Woody Allen movies about a play writer whose determined to get his play on Broadway with the help from the mob. 6/10

Mr.Cinema aka Woody Allen delivers one of his finest films in 'Bullets Over Broadway', a delicious comedy, that's magnificently written, sharply directed & amazingly performed. Its humorous cinema at its finest hour!'Bullets Over Broadway' Synopsis: In 1920s New York, a struggling playwright is forced to cast a mobster's talentless girlfriend in his latest drama in order to get it produced.'Bullets Over Broadway' is a delicious comedy, that's magnificently written by Allen & Douglas McGrath. The characters, the entire set-up is so interesting & funny, that there is hardly a moment when the film falters. Allen's Direction is sharp! Cinematography by Carlo DiPalma is excellent. Editing is good.Performance-Wise: Dianne Wiest won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress & she deserved too. She delivers a career best performance. John Cusack is fantastic. Seriously, why is he so under-rated? Jennifer Tilly is marvelous, while Chazz Palminteri takes an unforgettable turn. Jack Warden is always terrific. Mary-Louise Parker leaves a mark. Tracey Ullman & Jim Broadbent are outstanding.On the whole, 'Bullets Over Broadway' is a must see.