Review in a Hurry: Not even Barry Levinson and Robert De Niro can save this behind-the-scenes account of life in Hollywood. Meant to be both funny and revealing, the story a producer barely ahead of his personal and professional crises, doesn't offer much in the way of laughs or insights.

The Bigger Picture: Ben (De Niro) is constantly attached to his cell phone, talking fast, barely keeping up. He's trying to deliver a cut of his new movie that will please the studio head (Catherine Keener), to soothe his director (Michael Wincott, who does not get enough work) and reconcile with his second ex-wife (Robin Wright Penn)—and also make Bruce Willis shave his beard for the next picture.

Director Levinson does his best, but the chaotic script doesn't have a consistent theme or even a plot. A heavily fictionalized version of real-life producer Art Linson's memoirs, all the actual dirt has been scrubbed away. What's left is just stuff that happens. It's hard to sympathize with Ben's troubles—after all, he's still rich, and he's still got smoking-hot women throwing themselves at his aging body.

In Hollywood, where you stand in the Vanity Fair photo shoot is a big deal, but aside from a crowd that could fill a screening room, not many people will find these paper cuts to the ego compelling. For real satire, rent The Player or the TV series Action!

The 180—a Second Opinion: Someone should compile a DVD release of all Willis' cameos and guest shots. His turn as a feral version of himself—bearded and violent—is the funniest part of the picture.