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Movies / On DVD / Bullets Over Broadway
Bullets Over Broadway

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Bullets Over Broadway (1994)

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Reviews Counted:53

Fresh:51

Rotten:2

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: Some of Allen's sharpest, most inspired late-period comedy.

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: David Shayne (John Cusack, in performance his character that of a young Woody Allen) is an idealistic young playwright whose life (and play) is about to be turned upside down as it heads toward... David Shayne (John Cusack, in performance his character that of a young Woody Allen) is an idealistic young playwright whose life (and play) is about to be turned upside down as it heads toward Broadway. In order to gain financing for GOD OF OUR FATHERS, Shayne agrees to hire Olive Neal (a wonderfully high-squeaking Jennifer Tilly), the actress/girlfriend of Nick Valenti, a potential backer--who also happens to be a gangster. Unfortunately, the lass proves to be not only talent-free but ditzy to boot, a hindrance since she is supposed to play a psychiatrist. But Cheech, Olive's hoodlum bodyguard, proves to be more intuitive artistically than anyone would suspect, as his contributions improve not only Olive's performance but the quality of the flailing play as well. Meanwhile, Shayne must contend with an odd assortment of actors, including the neurotic Eden Brent, with her omnipresent, yapping dog; the pompous Warner Purcell, a corset-wearing overeater; and haughty leading lady Helen Sinclair (a fabulous Dianne Wiest), the aging, boozing diva with whom Shayne begins a romance. The laughs keep coming like rapid machine-gun fire in this riotous Woody Allen farce. [More]

Starring: John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly, Jack Warden

Starring: John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly, Jack Warden, Chazz Palminteri, Rob Reiner, Mary-Louise Parker, Harvey Fierstein, Jim Broadbent, Tracey Ullman, Joe Viterelli, Debi Mazar, Tony Sirico

Director: Woody Allen

Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath
Producer: Robert Greenhut

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 20, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Bullets Over Broadway
  • Big city mobsters and the Broadway stage collide hilariously in this side-splitting all-star comedy that had audiences and critics rolling in the aisles! John Cusack (HIGH FIDELITY) stars as David Shayne, an idealistic young writer who'll do anything to get his first Broadway play off the ground -- even if it means teaming up with the mob! Surrounded by a wacky cast of characters including a gangster's ditzy girlfriend (sexy Jennifer Tiley, MADE IN AMERICA), a tipsy actress (Dianne Wiest, PARENTHOOD), and a mob hit man (Chazz Palminteri, A BRONX TALE), Shayne's got to pull it all off before the curtain falls and bullets start to fly!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Bullets Over Broadway

    • T-Meter Critics
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    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/15/03
    Jurgen Fauth
    Jurgen Fauth
    About.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    04/08/05
    Lori Hoffman
    Lori Hoffman
    Atlantic City Weekly

    An honest attempt at creating farce, albeit one that tweaks the age-old artist's dilemma throughout.

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

    Allen's last great comedy.

    comment Comment
    08/18/05
    Rob Thomas
    Rob Thomas
    Capital Times (Madison, WI)

    A sharp, fast, laugh-out-loud comedy.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    08/12/08
    Channel 4 Film

    The performances, however, are very enjoyable, with first honors going to Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    08/12/08
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The movie is very funny and, in the way it follows its logic wherever it leads, surprisingly tough.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    allen's actual best film

    comment Comment
    04/27/05
    Karina Montgomery
    Karina Montgomery
    Cinerina

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/24/05
    Michael E. Grost
    Michael E. Grost
    Classic Film and Television

    Overrated.

    comment Comment
    11/20/07
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    Most of the way this one is a riot, the comedy that Allen fans have been waiting for.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Chris Hicks
    Chris Hicks
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Clever comedy isn't Allen's best work, but it's still fun.

    comment Comment
    08/23/05
    James Plath
    James Plath
    DVDTown.com

    Some of Woody's best late-career comedy material.

    comment Comment
    10/21/02
    Scott Weinberg
    Scott Weinberg
    eFilmCritic.com

    Essentially a backstage comedy about artists and gangsters in 1920s New York, the film doesn't break any new ground but it's pleasantly amusing and benefits from charming turns from Diane Wiest as the grand dame and John Cusack as the young artist.

    Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
    05/08/06
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    As one-liningly sharp and self-deprecating as you'd expect. If not more so.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mark Dinning
    Mark Dinning
    Empire Magazine

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/10/05
    Chuck O'Leary
    Chuck O'Leary
    Fantastica Daily

    Has more laughs packed into its exquisitely orchestrated 99 minutes than anything [Allen's] done in nearly 20 years.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    John Hartl
    John Hartl
    Film.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Great fun all around.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    10/27/05
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Proof that Woody Allen is much better when he doesn't act.

    comment Comment
    01/11/03
    Rob Vaux
    Rob Vaux
    Flipside Movie Emporium

    If not bowled over, we're at least won over.

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    04/12/02
    Rick Groen
    Rick Groen
    Globe and Mail
     
     
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