Hollywood Ending (2002)

NYC-LA Culture Wars, Part II
As I noted in a review last year of Woody Allen's classic Annie Hall, that is among other things a defense of New York City as the cultural epicenter American culture such as it is, this is matter that has preoccupied him from early in his career as a director/ writer/actor/comic. Allen is the quintessential New Yorker so one knows where his sledge hammer will fall. In the current movie under review Hollywood Ending that same premise underlies his story line as he, once again, portrays on screen the trials and tribulations of trying to maintain some kind of artistic integrity in the world of Hollywood commercial filmmaking.

The plot here centers on Allen's character Val Waxman, an aging has-been director given another chance by, of all people, his ex-wife getting paralyzed by the prospects to such an extent that he has become temporarily blind. Nevertheless in the interest of comedy and his career (and their careers, as well) Val and his friends con their way through the filming of the remake of a 1940's film about New York City that is to be the key to his comeback. Along the way Allen gets to get his licks in on Hollywood culture, commercial filmmaking and the funny premise that commercial films are so dumb, for the most part, that a blind man is entirely capable of making a bad film, just like most other directors. Interesting film and, as always, full of autobiographical references, Allen's trademark cerebral humor and his extensive use of sight gags. Well worth a look see.

Fun, cute, well-paced
Part of the solid early 90s trilogy along with Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Small Time Crooks. Each one of these is a cute, silly, well-balanced story with a weaving plot that resolves with grace and symmetry. These movies are not laugh out loud funny, but the wise-cracks keep rolling as Woody waxes nostalgic and makes fun of himself. I find them very relaxing and enjoyable. This is Woody's last good movie.

*Enjoyable Movie To Watch*
I really enjoyed this movie.It had people in it that you grew to like and care about.It was a very easy movie to watch and enjoy.