What Just Happened

Watch What Just Happened

"Admit nothing."
  • R
  • 2008
  • 1 hr 44 min
  • 5.6  (28,411)

What Just Happened is a black comedy directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert De Niro, John Turturro, and Stanley Tucci. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008 and was released in theaters later that year. De Niro plays Ben, a Hollywood producer struggling to keep his life and career together. The film follows Ben as he deals with a host of problems, including a difficult director (Turturro), a troubled star (Bruce Willis), an angry ex-wife (Robin Wright Penn), and a studio head (Tucci) who wants to change one of Ben's films in a major way.

The movie's opening scene sees Ben on the phone, trying to convince someone to shave a dog for a movie. It sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is filled with absurd situations and dark humor.

The main plot of the movie is centered around Ben's attempts to get his latest film, Fiercely, into theaters. Fiercely is a gritty drama starring Sean Penn, but the studio head, Lou, wants to change the ending to make it more audience-friendly. Ben struggles to convince Lou to keep the original ending, but his efforts are complicated by his personal life.

Ben is going through a divorce from his second wife, Kelly (Wright Penn), and is also dealing with his teenage daughter's growing sense of rebellion. Meanwhile, he is trying to start a new relationship with a young studio executive named Scottie (Kristen Stewart).

The film also has a subplot involving a sci-fi movie that Ben is producing. The director of the film, played by Turturro, is difficult to work with, and his insistence on having a character wear a ridiculous-looking hat becomes a running joke throughout the movie.

Throughout the film, Ben's world seems to be crumbling around him, and he struggles to keep his professional and personal life from falling apart completely. The movie showcases the cutthroat nature of the movie business and the lengths that people will go to in order to get ahead.

What Just Happened is notable for its impressive cast, which includes not only De Niro, Turturro, and Tucci but also Catherine Keener, Michael Wincott, and beleaguered actor Bruce Willis as himself. The movie received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its dark humor and satire of Hollywood while others found it to be too bleak and cynical.

Overall, What Just Happened is a dark comedy that offers a biting commentary on the movie industry and the lengths that people will go to in order to succeed. The movie's talented cast and clever script make it an enjoyable watch for anyone interested in the inner workings of Hollywood.

What Just Happened is a 2008 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.

What Just Happened
Description
Where to Watch What Just Happened
What Just Happened is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Hulu, Amazon Prime, FuboTV, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent What Just Happened for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2008
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 44 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.6  (28,411)
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