What Just Happened Blu-ray Review
Score: 51
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
What Just Happened aims for a new cliché but feels unfocused, offering modest enjoyment for De Niro fans.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 45
What Just Happened" Blu-ray offers a solid but unexceptional 1080p HD video with realistic details and colors, some grain, and minor defects, fitting the film's tone and budget.
Audio: 50
The documentary-style production and character-driven comedy feature nuanced DTS-HD 5.1 audio tracks prioritizing clear dialogue and atmosphere, with modest bass and selective potent sounds.
Extra: 56
Insightful commentary and features explore Hollywood's behind-the-scenes and film production realities, with detailed anecdotes hinting at industry absurdities, though shy of naming names.
Movie: 61
In 'What Just Happened,' DeNiro shines in a satirical yet subdued look at Hollywood's chaos, reflecting industry's real-life absurdities in a poignantly humorous manner.
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Video: 45
The video presentation of "What Just Happened" on Blu-ray offers an adequate 1080p High Definition transfer that nicely fits the film's subdued yet realistic atmosphere, maintaining the original theatrical aspect ratio of widescreen 2.4:1. The detail level is commendable, with facial features and textures coming through clearly, adding a tactile realism to the characters and their environments. Despite its seemingly documentary flair, attributed to the film's stylized direction, the presentation largely avoids common pitfalls like grain, softness, or digital anomalies. The color palette is faithfully reproduced, showcasing Hollywood's vibrant landscapes and neon-infused nightlife, with natural skin tones and well-balanced black levels contributing to solid shadow details and notable nighttime sequences.
However, the transfer isn't without its flaws, being described as average in terms of overall clarity compared to the sharper visuals expected from contemporary HD presentations. The film's grain structure remains consistent, adding a subtle filmic texture, yet it's marred occasionally by spikes of analog noise. Variability in black levels sometimes results in lost details or washed-out appearances, particularly noticeable in specific scenes like the editing bay. Moreover, two peculiar transfer issues were observed: a contrast fluctuation on the bathroom tiles and a momentary telecine wobble during a scene with De Niro and his ex-wife, momentarily distracting from the film's visual coherence.
On balance, while this Blu-ray release won't astonish viewers with its high-definition qualities, it manages to present "What Just Happened" in a manner that respects the film's photographic intention. The color reproduction stands out for its strength and realism, underpinning the movie's thematic nuances. Despite minor inconsistencies and occasional technical mishaps, this video presentation does justice to the film, effectively balancing its stylistic ambitions against the limitations of its source material.
Audio: 50
The audio presentation of "What Just Happened" on Blu-ray comes with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track that perfectly complements its character-driven, documentary-style narrative, without necessarily pushing the boundaries of what the format can offer. With a primary focus on clarity and coherency of dialogue, the mix adeptly places voices at the forefront, funneling them predominantly through the center and front channels. This careful balance ensures that dialogue, the core component of the movie's aural experience, is delivered crisply to the audience, aiding in the engagement with the film's subtle humor and narrative nuances.
Ambient and background effects are employed sparingly, adhering to the movie's generally understated auditory demands. However, these subtle touches—ranging from the atmospheric to the few distinct sounds emanating from the film-within-a-film, like isolated gunshots—add layers of depth without overwhelming. The musical score, interspersed with both cleverly integrated classic tracks and original compositions by Marcelo Zarvos, provides a nuanced backdrop to the on-screen action. Notably, the use of recognizable pieces, including an iconic Ennio Morricone piece, enriches the film's texture. Meanwhile, Zarvos’s contributions subtly fill the soundscape during quieter scenes or when De Niro’s character traverses the city, giving occasional life to the track with modest bass that punctuates without dominating.
Nevertheless, certain creative choices in sound design, such as an excessively brash approach in specific scenes (like the funeral), can momentarily pull viewers out of the experience. These moments stand in contrast to an otherwise meticulously crafted auditory presentation that prioritizes the intelligibility and atmospheric enhancement over sonic spectacle. While some may find the track a bit reserved for a production boasting DTS-HD MA 5.1 capabilities, it dutifully serves the film's narrative and stylistic intentions, effectively supporting "What Just Happened" in telling its uniquely Hollywood tale.
Extras: 56
The extras on the "What Just Happened" Blu-ray present a comprehensive look into the making of this Hollywood satire, Helmed by Barry Levinson and penned by Art Linson. The full-length audio commentary offered by Levinson and Linson dives deep into the movie's production, revealing the real-life inspirations behind its narrative without naming specific films or figures due to potential copyright issues. This occasionally leads to moments of silence that may test some viewers' patience, yet it remains a treasure trove for enthusiasts eager to discern the parallels between Linson's experiences and the on-screen story. The deleted scenes, particularly an alternate ending, offer an intriguing glimpse at what could have been, while the making-of featurette and casting sessions enrich the discourse on the film's journey from book to script to screen. The documentary does a splendid job of compiling interviews, including rare insights from Robert De Niro, without overlapping the commentary's content. Supplementary features like the brief behind-the-scenes footage and the whimsically narrated piece on the film’s canine performer add light-hearted touches, though they may not cater to all tastes.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Director/Producer Barry Levinson and Writer/Producer Art Linson: An insightful discussion on the making of the film.
- Deleted Scenes: Includes an Alternate Ending and two other scenes that were cut from the final movie.
- The Making of What Just Happened: A 24-minute featurette detailing the film's development from Linson’s book to the screenplay and finally to the screen.
- Behind the Scenes Featurette: A quick look at a few scenes being shot, showing some alternative lines.
- Casting Sessions: Featuring auditions for nearly all secondary roles, coupled immediately with the scene from the film that features the actor.
- No Animals were Harmed in the Making of this Movie: A humorous yet odd featurette focusing on the treatment of animals in film production.
Movie: 61
"What Just Happened" presents a reflective comic examination of the Hollywood film industry through the eye of a beleaguered movie producer, Ben, portrayed with a return-to-form depth by Robert De Niro. Amidst a chaotic month striving to balance the fragile egos of directors, actors, and studio executives alongside his personal life, De Niro's character navigates through the absurdity of his profession with a poignant desperation that is both amusing and tragic. The narrative, drawing from Ari Linson's experiences, offers a satirical yet realistic portrayal of Tinseltown's underbelly, exploring themes ranging from artistic integrity to professional survival amidst the industry's capricious nature.
Technical aspects of the Blu-ray release serve the film's modest budget well, furnishing it with adequate video and audio quality that does not distract from the content. Amid this backdrop, standout performances include Michael Wincott as a delicate director and Bruce Willis in a self-reflective caricature, both adding layers of humor and absurdity. Catherine Keener and John Turturro complement with sharp, nuanced roles that ground the film’s flights of fancy. Despite these elements, "What Just Happened" juggles too many themes, leading to a scattered focus that dilutes its potential impact as both a biting satire and a character study.
While the film scores points for its candid peek behind Hollywood’s curtain and a series of compelling performances—especially De Niro’s—a lack of cohesive satire and comedic punch leaves it feeling somewhat unsatisfying. The movie seems caught between being an insider critique and a broader comedic drama, failing to fully engage on either front. It represents a missed opportunity to leverage its ensemble cast’s capabilities and potentially richer veins of industry absurdity. The result is an experience that, while offering glimpses of insight and entertainment, ultimately feels like an exploration that doesn't quite reach the depth it could have.
Total: 51
The Blu-ray release of "What Just Happened" brings the Hollywood satire to the home screen with a presentation that mirrors the film's slightly disorderly but intriguing essence. The story’s intention to introduce "shot the dog" as a new cultural lexicon for a project's decline—an attempt that seems as quirky as its narrative—might not resonate universally. However, it showcases an ambition to redefine storytelling clichés, even if it doesn't entirely succeed. The film itself, while juggling moments of genuine entertainment and sporadic insights into a producer's life, lacks a cohesive thrust, making it a somewhat fragmented viewing experience.
On the technical front, the Blu-ray preserves this mixed bag with an audio-visual (AV) experience that is competent yet falls short of remarkable. The visuals and sound quality are decent, offering an adequate conveyance of the movie’s tonal shifts, from its comedic beats to its more subdued reflections on the film industry's frenetic pace. This aspect aligns well with the narrative's exploratory but scattershot approach to demystifying Hollywood's backstage, providing a clear, if not particularly memorable, window into the story's world. For enthusiasts of Robert De Niro or consumers curious about the nuances of film production, this release serves as a passable addition to their collection—equipped enough to satisfy basic viewing standards without delivering any standout enhancements.
In conclusion, the Blu-ray of "What Just Happened" constitutes a fair acquisition for those particularly fascinated by its thematic focus or lead actor. It may not dazzle with its technical execution nor will it significantly elevate the original film’s reception. Nevertheless, its rendition remains a suitable, albeit unexceptional, option for a niche audience seeking insight into Hollywood’s internal machinations through a lens that’s both critical and comedic. The home media format does well to encapsulate the essence of its source material, presenting a solid, if unambitious, package that aligns well with the movie's own narrative and stylistic ambitions.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 70
This is also a relatively low budget affair, but thanks to a modicum of flair in the direction the visual style comes across well, and is largely free from grain, softness or digital defects....
Audio: 70
Still, it presents the limited material that we do have in the best possible way, with dialogue - the single most important aural aspect of the production - coming across clearly and coherently throughout,...
Extras: 80
As you might expect considering the very film that they have constructed, this Commentary is a extremely revelatory, dissecting the movie's scenes and relating almost all of them back to the real-life...
Movie: 70
After being disappointed by much of what DeNiro's come out with recently, not least his abysmal re-teaming with Pacino on Righteous Kill, it was nice to find a new movie which actually gives him some room...
Total: 70
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 60
Blacks, however, are somewhat inconsistent, sometimes looking spot-on, other times seeming washed out, and occasionally crushing detail�like during the scene in the editing bay....
Audio: 70
While a bit on the thin side, this is a pleasant enough mix, and my only complaint is in regard to the overly brash sound design that pops up during the funeral scene....
Extras: 40
The three discuss the film's origins as a memoir, talk a little about the independently funded, 33-day shoot, and comment on the absurd realities of working in Hollywood....
Movie: 60
The film industry�or just the industry�is not always kind, and What Just Happened is a sad, reflective comedy that chronicles roughly one month in the career of Ben (Robert De Niro), a harried movie producer,...
Total: 60
Add that to an acceptable, but never impressive AV offering, and you have a solid rental that will appease De Niro fans and anyone who wants to know exactly what it is that a producer does....
Director: Barry Levinson
Actors: Robert De Niro, John Turturro, Stanley Tucci
PlotIn the high-stakes world of Hollywood film production, a seasoned producer finds himself amidst a whirlwind of professional crises and personal dilemmas. As he attempts to navigate the tumultuous waters of his career, he faces challenges from all fronts: his latest film is at risk due to disagreements with the film’s stubborn director over a problematic ending, and the studio demands extensive changes that threaten the integrity of the project. The producer is torn between his artistic vision and the commercial demands of the industry, all while trying to maintain a balancing act with a demanding and often unreasonable studio head.
Complicating matters further, his personal life is in disarray. His second ex-wife demands his attention to family matters, while his relationship with his daughter is strained, adding to his emotional burden. Simultaneously, he tries to maintain a fragile ego and navigate through the treacherous social waters of Hollywood, dealing with eccentric agents, actors with complicated demands, and fellow producers, all of which test his patience and resolve. This high-wire act of managing the various facets of his life and career showcases the relentless pressure and the often surreal and absurd nature of working within the Hollywood film industry.
Writers: Art Linson
Release Date: 31 Oct 2008
Runtime: 104 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Hebrew, French