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Underneath
it all, this Woody Allen-directed comedy is really
about the cult of celebrity and the lemming-like devotion
it inspires in us all. Another slice of Upper East
and West side Manhattan life, the story is told through
the eyes of freelance journalist Lee Simon (Kenneth
Branagh), who manages to snag interviews and rub elbows
- more than elbows in Melanie Griffith’s case
- with the rich and famous (while maintaining a decidedly
impoverished and obscure life-style, as his love-life
spirals out of control.)
The
worst kind of sycophant, one assumes the screenplay
Lee spends nearly a quarter of the film talking about
- half of that, pitching to real-life teen heartthrob
Leonardo as fictional teen heartthrob Brandon Darrow
- is almost unreadable or, if it can be read at all,
that it’s some drivel about an intellectual forced
to drive a cab or sell hot dogs.
Leo
pulls out all the stops in a performance taken from
experience and observation. It thrusts a harsh spotlight
on every spoiled, drugged-out actor or actress who
has ever thrown their weight around without anything
to back it up. He is funny, wise, knowing and completely
out of hand - almost reckless - but ultimately, Leo
pulls off a thrilling tightrope walk over a rocky
abyss.
Directed by
Woody Allen
Produced by
Letty Aronson (co-executive)
J.E. Beaucaire (executive)
Richard Brick (co-producer)
Jean Doumanian
Charles H. Joffe (co-executive)
Jack Rollins (II)
Writing credits
Woody Allen
Cinematography by
Sven Nykvist
Cast
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