Bullets Over Broadway (1994)

In 1920s New York, a struggling playwright is forced to cast a mobster's talentless girlfriend in his latest drama in order to get it produced.

Director:

Woody Allen

Writers:

Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath

Stars:

John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Tilly

Won 1 Oscar. Another 20 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	David Shayne
Dianne Wiest	...	Helen Sinclair
Jennifer Tilly	...	Olive Neal
Chazz Palminteri	...	Cheech
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Ellen
Jack Warden	...	Julian Marx
Joe Viterelli	...	Nick Valenti
Rob Reiner	...	Sheldon Flender
Tracey Ullman	...	Eden Brent
Jim Broadbent	...	Warner Purcell
Harvey Fierstein	...	Sid Loomis
Stacey Nelkin	...	Rita
Malgorzata Zajaczkowska	...	Lili (as Margaret Sophie Stein)
Charles Cragin	...	Rifkin
Nina von Arx	...	Josette (as Nina Sonya Peterson)

Storyline

Set in 1920's New York City, this movie tells the story of idealistic young playwright David Shayne. Producer Julian Marx finally finds funding for the project from gangster Nick Valenti. The catch is that Nick's girl friend Olive Neal gets the part of a psychiatrist, and Olive is a bimbo who could never pass for a psychiatrist as well as being a dreadful actress. Agreeing to this first compromise is the first step to Broadway's complete seduction of David, who neglects longtime girl friend Ellen. Meanwhile David puts up with Warner Purcell, the leading man who is a compulsive eater, Helen Sinclair, the grand dame who wants her part jazzed up, and Cheech, Olive's interfering hitman / bodyguard. Eventually, the playwright must decide whether art or life is more important.

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Plot Keywords:

actress | playwright | play | bodyguard | new york city | 

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Taglines:

The New Comedy From Woody Allen!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Disparos sobre Broadway

Filming Locations:

110th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$13,383,737 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Sweetland Films, Magnolia Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Rocco, Nick Valenti, and Cheech pay their respects, the scene starts with an establishing shot of headstones. A large headstone prominently shows the name "Sorice." Jim Sorice, the Master Scenic Artist, has been the scenic artist in many Woody Allen movies. Cosmo Sorice is the Stand-by Scenic Artist.

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Goofs

When Cheech and David walk through a neighborhood, the corner has an obvious, modern handicap curb-cut.

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Quotes

Cheech: She can't act. Are you listening to me? She makes stuff not work - stuff she ain't even in - it comes out all twisted!

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Connections

Spoofed in Blood Over Broadway (2009)

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Soundtracks

"You Took Advantage Of Me"
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Performed by The Three Deuces Musicians

User Reviews

Highly recommended

Of all the Woody Allen films that I have seen (not that many, I confess) this movie and "Everyone says 'I Love You'" are the ones that I have enjoyed the most. "Bullets Over Broadway" is a very funny, clever, and entertaining comedy. The acting is top-notch; Dianne Wiest is fantastic, Jennifer Tilly and Chazz Palminteri are great and John Cusack is as good as ever, that is: he is extremely good.

So, I enjoyed this film immensely, I laughed a lot, and I thoroughly recommend it.