Some of Woody Allen's best work doesn't feature Woody Allen on the screen — "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Radio Days." And here's another, "Bullets Over Broadway."
If you're not an Allen fan, "Bullets" probably won't convert you. But if you are, you're in for a special treat.
The setting is New York City during the 1920s, and John Cusack takes on the Woody role, as idealistic playwright David Shayne. As the film opens, he is about to mount a serious drama on the Great White Way, which will also mark his directing debut.
But, as you might suspect, David's idealism is about to be challenged.
Right off the bat, as his agent (Jack Warden) arranges for financing, he knows he's in trouble. His benefactor is a local gangster (Joe Viterelli), who freely provides funds . . . with one hitch. His ditsy girlfriend Olive (Jennifer Tilly) has to have a prominent role. Over his own protests, David casts her as a psychiatrist, a word she can hardly pronounce.
David does manage to land his dream actress for the lead role, however — Broadway star Helen Sinclair (Dianne Wiest). But she has her own ideas about how the character should be played and interpreted.
Eventually, David gets his eccentric cast together — including giddy Tracey Ullman ("I Love You to Death") and compulsive eater Jim Broadbent ("Enchanted April") — and begins rehearsals.
To his dismay, however, there is a kibitzer among them, Olive's bodyguard Cheech (Chazz Palminteri, the writer-costar of "A Bronx Tale"). If that's not enough, thanks to a street-trained ear for honest dialogue, Cheech contributes ideas that are better than David's.
The development of the relationship between Cheech and David, one of film history's least likely friendships, is a highlight in the film. And Cheech provides some of the movie's biggest, albeit darkest laughs.
And the entire cast is wonderful, from Palminteri's Cheech, transcending the stereotypical hitman goon, to Wiest's hysterical turn as a pompous, Norma Desmond-type actress. (Including, in addition to the aforementioned players, Mary-Louise Parker as David's down-to-earth girlfriend and Rob Reiner as his mentor, a hypocritical bohemian writer.)
Allen and his crew have re-created the period very well, with wonderful sets and costumes, and the film has been beautifully shot by Carlo Di Palma.
But the bottom line, of course, is that it's very funny. There are a few crude gags that threaten to cheapen the proceedings, but most of the way this one is a riot, the comedy that Allen fans have been waiting for.
"Bullets Over Broadway" is rated R for profanity, and there is also some vulgarity and violence.