Bullets Over Broadway

Critics Consensus

A gleefully entertaining backstage comedy, Bullets Over Broadway features some of Woody Allen's sharpest, most inspired late-period writing and direction.

97%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 58

83%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 17,009
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Movie Info

Bullets Over Broadway is a Woody Allen romp that, as the title suggests, combines gangsters with show business at the height of the Roaring Twenties. David Shayne (John Cusack) is a straight-arrow playwright who plans to stand firm against compromising his work, but quickly abandons that stance when his producer (Jack Warden) finds a backer to mount his show on Broadway. There's just one catch, however: the backer is a mobster (Joe Viterelli) who sees Shayne's play as a vehicle for his dizzy, talent-free girlfriend, Olive (Jennifer Tilly). Shayne also has to deal with the demands of veteran theatre diva Helen Sinclair (Dianne Wiest) and is shocked to discover that Olive's hitman bodyguard, Cheech (Chazz Palminteri), is probably a better playwright than he is, as he secretly revises Shayne's work when he sits in on rehearsals. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Cast

John Cusack
as David Shayne
Dianne Wiest
as Helen Sinclair
Chazz Palminteri
as Cheech
Jennifer Tilly
as Olive Neal
Joe Viterelli
as Nick Valenti
Tracey Ullman
as Eden Brent
Jim Broadbent
as Warner Purcell
Jack Warden
as Julian Marx
Mary-Louise Parker
as Ellen
Rob Reiner
as Sheldon Flender
Harvey Fierstein
as Sid Loomis
Alan Arkin
Annie Joe Edwards
as Venus
Tony Sirico
as Rocco
James Reno Pelliccio
as Sal
Marie-Louise Parker
Stacey Nelkin
as Rita
Victor Colicchio
as Waterfront Hood
Lou Eppolito
as Waterfront Hood
Debi Mazar
as Vi
Carl Reiner
as Sheldon Flender
Peter Castellotti
as Waterfront Hood
Edie Falco
as Lorna
Tony Conforti
as Waterfront Hood
Tony Darrow
as Aldo
Jennifer Van Dyck
as Understudy
John Di Benedetto
as Waterfront Hood
John Ventimiglia
as Waterfront Hood
Gene Canfield
as Waterfront Hood
Paul Herman
as Maitre d'
Margaret Sophie Stein
as Lili
Charles Cragin
as Rifkin
Fran McGee
as Movie Theatre Victim
Brian McConnachie
as Mitch Sabine
Frank Aquilino
as Hood
John Doumanian
as Backstage Well-Wisher
Dayle Haddon
as Backstage Well-Wisher
Howard Erskine
as Theatre Well-Wisher
Benay Venuta
as Theatre Well-Wisher
Ken Roberts (II)
as Theatre Well-Wisher
Peter McRobbie
as Man at Theatre
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Critic Reviews for Bullets Over Broadway

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (56) | Rotten (2)

View All Critic Reviews (58)

Audience Reviews for Bullets Over Broadway

  • Jul 14, 2017
    One of the top 5 of Allen's extensive repertoire, a gem that's sparkle leaves one feeling smarter and more erudite, rides the old show within a show conceit. And while loaded with excellent performances, Cusack, as Allen's surrogate, really shines simply for not aping Allen's shade as so many have done. Repeat viewings are definitely in order.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 11, 2013
    A different type of Woody Allen film. A great one too. Great performances all-around, especially Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly and Chazz Palminteri.
    Hugo S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 13, 2012
    Fucking loved that film!!!
    Serge E Super Reviewer
  • Feb 26, 2012
    Woody's first indie venture outside of studio affiliations just so happens to be his best film of the 90s.
    Jonathan H Super Reviewer
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