Rating: 
Summary: Woody, Woody, Woody...
Review: Real Woody Allen fans will rejoice with this film; at least they better, because nobody else will. Decidedly, this one is for dyed-in-the-wool Woody fans only, and it goes far in demonstrating that even an inspired concept or idea does not necessarily a good movie make. And whether you look at it entirely objectively or from a subjective viewpoint, "Hollywood Ending," written, directed by and starring Woody Allen, is a clinker. It's an interesting notion that came to fruition as a one-note, one-joke film that, ironically, is as bad as the film made within the film. Maybe even worse. On the positive side of the coin, the best thing that can be said about it is that it's not quite as dismal as the Woodman's misfire, "Celebrity," inasmuch as no one here attempts a grating Woody Allen impersonation a la Kenneth Branagh, which was THE most unnerving aspect of THAT whole debacle. The story is fairly straightforward and simple: Legendary director Val Waxman (Allen) has fallen on hard times, mainly due to his own obstinate attitude, and he's been reduced to directing a television commercial on location in Canada. He finds a champion, however, in his ex-wife, Ellie (Tea Leoni), now engaged to Galaxie Studios boss, Hal (Treat Williams), to whom she pitches Val as the perfect director for their latest project. After much to-do and some initial skepticism (based on his history with Val), Hal gives in and gives the green light to hire Val. When Val gets the news he is by turns surprised and elated; so much so, that just as they are starting production on the picture, Val is struck with psychosomatic blindness, which could possibly (?) impede his ability to direct a motion picture. But this is the chance for a comeback that Val has been waiting for, so he dares not reveal his problem, especially to Hal. And so, after necessarily confiding his dilemma to a carefully selected couple of people, Val goes on with a little help from his friends. Now, if he can only keep Hal away from the dailies, he has a chance to finish the film; the film he was "destined" to make. Without question, this film definitely has it's moments, and some of them are actually hilarious; but it's simply not enough to sustain interest or make this one memorable in any way. As previously stated, the concept is good; one may even say inspired. But the execution goes devastatingly awry. The dialogue is well written (which combined with the right visuals inspires the laughs), but the story is filled with Hollywood "in" jokes, most of which will mean little, if anything to an unsuspecting audience. And in most cases, even if you do "get" it, it's just not that funny. Add to that the fact that this is arguably the "shallowest" film Allen has ever made, and you begin to realize why this one just doesn't resonate. The intelligence, depth and insights that define most of Allen's films are inexplicably absent here, and the impact on the final product is quite noticeable. And it just goes to show that even a filmmaker like Woody Allen, who is often brilliant and sometimes genius, can occasionally miss the mark. And, as is the case here, miss it altogether. As an actor, Woody Allen has created some characters who are likable to a degree, but never endearing; he can be interesting, but his natural lack of charisma renders him less than riveting; he can even be sympathetic, but it's rare. As Val, he is none of the above, which is one of the inherent problems with this movie. Val is a guy you are hard put to tolerate, let alone like, and as such you just won't care much one way or another if he succeeds or not. Most likely, you'll be hoping he winds back up in Canada, freezing along with his insecurities and incorrigible attitude. Perhaps the time has come for Allen to rethink the role he should play in his own films. In "Bullets Over Broadway," he successfully opted to cast John Cusack in the "Woody" part, and it seemed that he had turned some kind of artistic corner with regards to his own ego; but playing Val himself is a big case of backsliding. Even Paul Newman realizes he isn't "Hud" anymore; it's time Woody realized that he isn't...well...whatever he was at one time. The beautiful and talented Tea Leoni gives a worthy performance as Ellie-- in fact, one could say her participation is the highlight of the film. It's tough to buy Leoni and Allen as a couple, though; It's just hard to accept that Val and Ellie were ever married. She seems much more suited to a David Duchovny type. For all her efforts, even suspending disbelief doesn't make the relationship seem viable, which, of course, has an impact on the film's credibility. Still, it's even harder to believe Debra Messing as Lori, Val's "current" girlfriend. Her performance is convincing, but the relationship is just too questionable. And this isn't judging a book by it's cover; looks aside, with what we know about Val, you have to wonder what could possibly attract Lori to him. The angle that as an aspiring actor she's using him to get her foot in the door doesn't hold water, inasmuch as he's on the way down and there is a plethora of others in positions of power who would be ready and able to add the willing Lori to their personal cast of characters. It simply doesn't jibe with the reality of the situation. The supporting cast includes Bob Dorian (Galaxie Exec.), Mark Rydell (Al), Yu Lu (Cameraman), Barney Cheng (Translator), Isaac Mizrahi (Elio), Marian Seldes (Alexandra) and George Hamilton (Ed). To those who subjectively translate anything Woody Allen does to perfection, "Hollywood Ending" will be a satisfying experience. Those who fall outside of that parameter, however, will be disappointed. Either way, it's the magic of the movies.
Rating: 
Summary: Here's the old Woody
Review: Since everyone complains about the "old Woody" being gone, they should be pleased with "Hollywood Ending." It is definitely in the tradtition of "Annie Hall" "Manhattan" etc. The subject matter, cinematography, sets, etc. are very similar. So, if you're let down by the movie, it just may be because he has changed as a director and you have changed as a viewer. I think this is as much "old Woody" as you're going to get, so stop complaining, or stop watching them. OK, sorry about that little rant: I really liked the movie. It's not perfect; I don't have any specific complaints except that the movie probably didn't have to rely on the main gag quite so much. The new cinematographer really stuck out for me as being very good. It's very fuuny also, and Tea Leoni was really good; she brought a fresh approach to the movie which is much different than Mia Farrow, Diane Keaton, etc. I'm not a great movie reviewer, because it is all subjective, and nobody agrees, but I did enjoy the movie very much. It was much more satisfying, I thought, than his last two films.
Rating:
Summary: A high quality movie
Review: The recent critical backlash against Woody Allen is predictable but absolutely shameful. Look at many of the other comedies around, look at the shockingly poor standard of their scripts, and then savour the beautiful lines and exchanges in Allen's latest effort. Without resorting to placing 30 year old actors back in college, or relying on cheap gross-out gags involving animals, invalids, bare breasts or bodily fluids, he has written, once again, a smart, witty and enduring popular movie. Those critics who should know better will doubtless continue to chastise him for growing older, and retaining a distinctive style, and not selling out to some dubious money-spinning fashion, and then in a decade or so they will of course generously rediscover and "re-evaluate" these works in a more mature and positive fashion. Everyone else, however - the grown-ups - can simply watch this and other Allen movies now, and celebrate the man's talent, invention, intelligence and remarkable consistency.
Rating:
Summary: What an awful movie!
Review: The stammering neurotic Woody is well past his prime in this awful dud of a movie. The few and far between funny lines don't make up for the tedium you endure watching the rest of it. We walked out because we couldn't care less about the Hollywood Ending.
Rating:
Summary: Going "Hollywood"!
Review: There have been many who feel Woody Allen has been slipping lately with films like "Sweet and Lowdown", "Everyone Says I Love You", "Small Time Crooks", & his last film, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion". Many people refused to see the charm these films had. Now, while "Crooks" and "Scorpion" were not great Woody Allen films, they both proved to be entertaining and funny. I too yearned for Allen to make a more semi-series film. Something that would give him the chance to really throw himself into his material. Well, the wait is finally over! Woody Allen's lastest comedy\drama "Hollywood Ending" finds Allen to be in top form and is his best film since "Deconstructing Harry" (Which I claim as Allen's funniest film of the 90's). "Hollywood Ending" sets such a perfect tone to it. The characters are wonderful and well thought out, the jokes work, Allen keeps the one-linners at a nice steady pace. Not too many jokes where the plots seems to be secondary, but, just enough jokes where we (The audience) aren't bored. I have three minor complaints about this film, and I'll get to them later, but, as for now, "Hollywood Ending" is one of the year's best films!
Woody Allen plays Val Waxman, a once great filmmaker, who sadly has declined over the years. He can't find work, and when he does, he either gets fired or quits. He bores his girlfriend, Lori (played nicely by Debra Messing, who has already appeared in one Allen film, "Celebrity") about "the old days", when Waxman was a major Hollywood player and managed to win two Academy Awards. But, Waxman needs a break. He needs someone to take a chance on him, and he finds someone, only it's his ex-wife, Ellie (Tea Leoni, she's in top form herself, at times she steals the film from Allen, I could see an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress) and if that's not bad enough the head of the studio where Ellie works is not only her boyfriend\soon to be husband, but, it's the same man Ellie had an affair with when she was married to Val!
Of course, as one could imagine, Val doesn't want to take on the project, and to be honest, neither does the studio really. Hal (Treat Williams), the head of the studio, thinks that bringing Val on as director will be too risky. Ed (George Hamilton), another studio excutive also thinks Val is the wrong man for the job. But, Val knows he could do wonders with the script, which is a remake of an old 40's noir film, "The City That Never Sleeps".
Soon Val finds out from his agent, Al (Mark Rydell, now while Rydell is fine in the movie, I could of also seen Mel Brooks playing the role, imagine how that would of turned out, the two greastest comedy directors of their time together in a film.) that he got the job, but, all is not perfect, Val goes blind! Everything I've just explain found it's way into the trailer for the film, so not to worry, I didn't give away any of the film's "secrets".
"Hollywood Ending" right from the opening moments listening to Bing Crosby sing "Going Hollywood" over the credit, let me know I was in for something special. I have not seen Allen better than in this film. I think people (well most of them anyway) are going to enjoy this film. Yes, of course there will be those who say they don't like seeing Allen act alongside younger women, and yes there will be those who say the film reflects Allen's own life all to well, but, to these people I must say, you missed the whole joy of the movie. Stop nit-picking about these small details.
Here are the films ONLY 3 "REAL" faults. 1- It goes on for about 10 minutes too long. 2- Not enough screen-time for Debra Messing, who's character could have amounted to something better than what it was. And finally 3-No need for Tiffani-Amber Thiessen character except for one joke, but then again it's a funny joke.
Bottom-line: Woody Allen has struck comic gold with "Hollywood Ending". It's his best film in years and also one of the year's best films. A very thoughful, funny film!
Rating: 
Summary: An exceedingly empty and flaccid Woody film
Review: This film seems to suggest a Woody Allen in his decadent phase. Throughout his long career, he has played opposite a series of brilliant actresses of varying ages. At first, the sight of Debra Messing playing house with Woody in this film is unsettling at best. At worst it illustrates the master filmmakers obsessive and pathetic need to present himself as a viable Romantic-type lead still capable of nailing hot, young chicks. The real problem is that there are very few male leads who Allen can vicariously express his peculiar brand of neurotic narcissistic angst through. We are left with Woody--who still manages to project just enough frail believability so that the story can move on from a rather implausible yet not impossible beginning. Woody plays a once-great filmmaker, Val Waxman. He's everything a Woody character should be: hypochondriac, paranoid, bitter and caustic. At the start of the film, he's up in Toronto filming a commercial that is very much beneath his stature. The film centers around a basic premise: Val's ex-wife, Ellie, (Téa Leoni) has decided that he is perfect to direct the screenplay she has just finished for her new boyfriend Hal Jaeger's studio. The conflicts are obvious and ripe for comedic exploitation that never really materializes. The tensions between Val and Hal (his new boss and the man who stole his wife) do not exist. Although there are many fine performances, there is little chemistry on screen. Téa Leoni is fabulous, but the screentime she shares with Woody has no fire. There is nothing between the two actors that suggests the supposedly tulmultuous past of the characters. Debra Messing is equally great as Val's latest flame, but she's stuck with an extremely limited role and isn't integral to the plot whatsoever. Indeed, the plot meanders for quite a while and eventually devolves into a long, torturous episode involving Val's psychosomatic blindess and his attempts to hide it from everyone associated with the studio. Everything else is fitted into that basic premise. It allows for Val and Ellie to spend quite a bit of time together, although the pairing is nothing of note and comes off as rather superfluous to the story as a whole. The bottom line is that this film has no soul. It isn't worthy of Woody Allen at his best and wastes a talented cast.
Rating:
Summary: An exceedingly empty and flaccid Woody film
Review: This film seems to suggest a Woody Allen in his decadent phase. Throughout his long career, he has played opposite a series of brilliant actresses of varying ages. At first, the sight of Debra Messing playing house with Woody in this film is unsettling at best. At worst it illustrates the master filmmakers obsessive and pathetic need to present himself as a viable Romantic-type lead still capable of nailing hot, young chicks. The real problem is that there are very few male leads who Allen can vicariously express his peculiar brand of neurotic narcissistic angst through. We are left with Woody--who still manages to project just enough frail believability so that the story can move on from a rather implausible yet not impossible beginning. Woody plays a once-great filmmaker, Val Waxman. He's everything a Woody character should be: hypochondriac, paranoid, bitter and caustic. At the start of the film, he's up in Toronto filming a commercial that is very much beneath his stature. The film centers around a basic premise: Val's ex-wife, Ellie, (Téa Leoni) has decided that he is perfect to direct the screenplay she has just finished for her new boyfriend Hal Jaeger's studio. The conflicts are obvious and ripe for comedic exploitation that never really materializes. The tensions between Val and Hal (his new boss and the man who stole his wife) do not exist. Although there are many fine performances, there is little chemistry on screen. Téa Leoni is fabulous, but the screentime she shares with Woody has no fire. There is nothing between the two actors that suggests the supposedly tulmultuous past of the characters. Debra Messing is equally great as Val's latest flame, but she's stuck with an extremely limited role and isn't integral to the plot whatsoever. Indeed, the plot meanders for quite a while and eventually devolves into a long, torturous episode involving Val's psychosomatic blindess and his attempts to hide it from everyone associated with the studio. Everything else is fitted into that basic premise. It allows for Val and Ellie to spend quite a bit of time together, although the pairing is nothing of note and comes off as rather superfluous to the story as a whole. The bottom line is that this film has no soul. It isn't worthy of Woody Allen at his best and wastes a talented cast.
Rating:
Summary: Woody Allen Needs to Stay BEHIND the camera
Review: This film suffers from the same problem as Allen's "Curse of the Jade Scorpion" in that he casts himself as a romantic leading man again. While living with one young woman who could be his granddaughter as far as an age comparison, he vies against Treat Williams as his romantic antagonist for Tea Leoni (she is the age of a daughter for him). Cary Grant was having problems pulling this off when he was in his 60s, Allen's age, and Woody Allen has never been a romantic leading man the likes of Cary Grant. Plus picking as a rival the urbane and handsome Williams further widens the credibility gap. Allen really needs to abandon playing these roles and hire someone else to do it and place himself squarely behind the camera. If he wishes to cast himself in a non-romantic role or (horror of horrors) a romance vehicle with someone nearer to his own age, then he can step in front of the camera once again. What is especially distressing is that he is still as fine a writer and director as can be found in the film world. He is squandering that talent promoting himself as a romantic leading man. If he'd gotten rid of the romance angle, there is a genuinely funny idea here which could have been exploited for laughs. This is that he has a film director make an entire movie while suffering from psychosomatic blindness and no one guesses because the other film people are so "blind" in turn to the eccentricities of a brilliant, renowned film director. If Allen had run with this idea and gotten rid of his love interests, it could have been hilarious.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not a classic
Review: This film was pretty funny at times and Woody has some great dialogue in this movie and some great slapstick. The bad thing about this movie is that it seems a little dumbed down. It's better than most modern comedies. The thing that really sucked was the fact the Tiffani-amber Thiessen was in like 4 scenes and only spoke in one of them [...] She should have been more involved i think.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow, i really liked this movie.
Review: This movie was a very funny movie. I liked woddy allen in this one a lot (as i have seen most of his other works). As with any woody allen movie, there is some sexual references, but other then that it seems appropiate for young audiances. The whole concept of the movie is very funny, and i found myself laughing a lot. Basically its about a director who gets a final chance to make a movie, something happens to him that prevents him from being able to see the movie, and its a total disaster. At the end he re-unites with his x-wife and they live happily...... This was not boring, and progressed right along. There were not many special/visual effects, and not much noticible music(the music blended right in with the movie). This is ok though, as a movie of this type does not need Speical music and Spectacular effects. To any woody allen fan, this is a must watch. ~Hope this helps
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