What Just Happened

This just in: Hollywood types are self-serving, egomaniacal backstabbers. That's the upshot of Barry Levinson's disappointing exposé of Tinseltown treachery, which wastes a million-dollar cast on a two-dollar story. Robert De Niro stars as Ben, a veteran movie producer whose latest thriller is threatened with major tampering by a hard-as-nails studio chief (Catherine Keener), while another of his projects risks being shut down when its temperamental star (Bruce Willis, as himself) shows up for a wardrobe fitting with a full beard that he refuses to shave off. As if these setbacks weren't enough, Ben's ex-wife (Robin Wright Penn) is resisting his reconciliatory overtures and his 17-year-old daughter (Kristen Stewart) confesses to having been sexually involved with an agent who's just committed suicide. Art Linson's script, adapted from his book (inspired by his own experiences), teems with show-biz references that will sail over the heads of all but the most movie-savvy viewers. More to the point, Ben's problems will seem minor to viewers who are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads. What Just Happened simply lacks the bite of Levinson's better satire Wag the Dog. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Barry Levinson and writer Art Linson, a “making-of” featurette (24 min.), casting sessions (26 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), a behind-the-scenes featurette (3 min.), a “No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of this Movie” segment (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a satiric misfire.] (E. Hulse)