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Jean Doumanian Productions
Miramax
Not part of a collection.
A killer comedy!
After young playwright, David Shayne obtains funding for his play from gangster Nick Valenti, Nick's girlfriend Olive miraculously lands the role of a psychiatrist—but not only is she a bimbo who could never pass for a psychiatrist—she's a dreadful actress. David puts up with the leading man who is a compulsive eater, the grand dame who wants her part jazzed up, and Olive's interfering hitman/bodyguard—but, eventually he must decide whether art or life is more important.
CinemaSerf
Dec 7, 2024 · via TMDB
Despite his obvious enthusiasm, "Shayne" (John Cusack) can't convince producer (Jack Warden) to raise the cash to put on his latest play. There's just no demand for it, especially as his first two efforts didn't exactly set the heather on fire. Then an opportunity presents itself. It's one with compromise, though. He can have the thing fully funded if he agrees to cast "Olive" (Jennfer Tilly). Snag? Well she couldn't act her way out of a paper bag and has one of those squeaky voices that killed so many a silent-film star! Her boyfriend, "Nick" (Joe Viterelli) is the local kingpin so it's a straight choice - cast her or no cash. Much to the chagrin of the uber-theatrical "Helen" (Dianne Wiest) he decides to sacrifice his honour for his art, and what now ensues sees this mix of thespians, crooks, amateurs and temper-tantrums try to get the play on the stage. Just to make sure she's OK, her boyfriend has sent his enforcer "Cheech" (Chazz Palminteri) as a bit of security for "Olive" and his no-nonsense approach to the production histrionics of the whole thing initially brings him into conflict with the director, but gradually "Shayne" begins to realise that "Cheech" has a bit of an aptitude for writing, and so a collaboration of sorts emerges that against all the odds might just give this thing a fighting chance. Wiest is at her best here delivering a sort of "Streisand" meets "Norma Desmond" character that epitomises that generation of film star who really did believe their own publicity machine. Cusack also does well, as does Palminteri and there's an engagingly (and annoyingly) lively effort from Tilly who plays the rather witless moll to a T. It's funny at times, especially if you've ever worked in the theatre and packs quite a lot of entertainment, and swipes at that very industry, into a ninety minutes that hits the ground running and rarely stops for breath. One of Woody Allen's more original concepts that takes him away from his routine man-with-neuroses comfort, is stylishly put together, and is well worth a watch.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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John Cusack
David Shayne
Chazz Palminteri
Cheech
Dianne Wiest
Helen Sinclair
Jennifer Tilly
Olive Neal
Mary-Louise Parker
Ellen
Tracey Ullman
Eden Brent
Jim Broadbent
Warner Purcell
Joe Viterelli
Nick Valenti
Harvey Fierstein
Sid Loomis
Rob Reiner
Sheldon Flender
Jack Warden
Julian Marx
Tony Sirico
Rocco
Victor Colicchio
Waterfront Hood
Louis Eppolito
Waterfront Hood
Gene Canfield
Waterfront Hood
Peter Castellotti
Waterfront Hood
John Di Benedetto
Waterfront Hood
John Ventimiglia
Waterfront Hood
Lisa Arturo
Three Deuces Chorus Line
Carol Lee Meadows
Three Deuces Chorus Line
Meghan Strange
Three Deuces Chorus Line
Leigh Torlage
Three Deuces Chorus Line
Debra Wiseman
Three Deuces Chorus Line
Paul Herman
Maitre d'
Stacey Nelkin
Rita
Małgorzata Zajączkowska
Lili
Nina von Arx
Josette
Shannah Laumeister Stern
Movie Theatre Victim
Brian McConnachie
Mitch Sabine
Edie Falco
Lorna
Debi Mazar
Vi
Frank Aquilino
Hood
John Doumanian
Backstage Well-Wisher
Dayle Haddon
Backstage Well-Wisher
Tony Darrow
Aldo
Howard Erskine
Theater Well-Wisher
Benay Venuta
Theater Well-Wisher
Jennifer Van Dyck
Olive's Understudy
Peter McRobbie
Man at Theatre
José Alvarez
Waterfront Hood (uncredited)
Jeff Mazzola
Movie Theatre Hitman (uncredited)
Rick Washburn
Movie Theatre Hitman (uncredited)
Santo Loquasto
Production Design
Carlo Di Palma
Director of Photography
Brian Hamill
Still Photographer
Eric Mendelsohn
Assistant Costume Designer
Jeffrey Kurland
Costume Designer
Woody Allen
Director
Thomas A. Reilly
First Assistant Director
Todd M. Thaler
Additional Casting
Thomas A. Reilly
Associate Producer
Juliet Taylor
Casting
Charles H. Joffe
Co-Executive Producer
Jack Rollins
Co-Executive Producer
Letty Aronson
Co-Executive Producer
J.E. Beaucaire
Executive Producer
Robert Greenhut
Producer
Eric Kopeloff
Production Assistant
Dick Hyman
Conductor
Dick Hyman
Music Arranger
Lee Dichter
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Douglas McGrath
Writer
Woody Allen
Writer
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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
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