A KILLER COMEDY!

In 1920s New York, David Shayne (John Cusack) gets a chance to produce one of his plays on Broadway, but has to accept the casting of a gangster’s moll (Jennifer Tilly) in a lead role. One of Woody Allen’s most successful comedies in the 1990s takes a look at a clash between showbiz egos. Tilly is amusing in an archetypal role as the clueless moll, Chazz Palminteri terrific as her surprisingly talented bodyguard, and Dianne Wiest absolutely magnificent as the star of the play. And Cusack gets to join a cadre of actors who have played the Woody part whenever Allen’s remained behind the camera. All in all, a lovely film with unpredictable twists and irresistible period details.

1994-U.S. 99 min. Color. Produced by Robert Greenhut. Directed by Woody Allen. Screenplay: Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath. Production Design: Santo Loquasto. Costume Design: Jeffrey Kurland. Cast: John Cusack (David Shayne), Dianne Wiest (Helen Sinclair), Jennifer Tilly (Olive Neal), Chazz Palminteri (Cheech), Mary-Louise Parker, Jack Warden… Rob Reiner, Tracey Ullman, Jim Broadbent, Harvey Fierstein, Edie Falco.

Trivia: Later a Broadway musical.

Oscar: Best Supporting Actress (Wiest). Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actress (Wiest).

Last word: “Basically [Allen] just lets you do it – he doesn’t talk to you. He just says, ‘You’re perfect for the part, you know how to do it, go do it.’ That’s it. In fact when Woody starts talking to you, that’s not a good thing – that means you could be on your way to be fired! But he just lets you go.” (Palminteri, Star Pulse)

IMDb