Hollywood Ending

PG-13

Released May 3, 2002

1 hr. 52 min.

Comedy

List

47%

133 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Woody Allen stars as Val Waxman, a two-time Oscar winner turned washed-up, neurotic director in desperate need of a comeback. When it comes, Waxman finds himself backed into a corner: Work for his ex-wife Ellie (Tea Leoni) or forfeit his last shot. Is Val blinded by love when he opts for the reconnect? Is love blind when it comes to Ellie's staunch support? Literally and figuratively, the proof is the picture.

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Critics Consensus

Although Hollywood Ending contains some zany one-liners, its promising premise is far from developed.

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Alec B

One of Allen's worst. The observations about Hollywood are pretty superficial and unfunny, Allen is totally wrong for the lead role (physical comedy like this isn't really in his wheelhouse), and it is probably 20-30 minutes too long.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Elvis D

Woody Allen normalmente tiende a dirigir películas que en su mayoría apelan al psicoanálisis y por eso llegan a ser difíciles de procesar o no se entiende el humor que intenta transmitir. Hollywood Ending es una de las pocas excepciones decentes de este director con una gracia bastante notable. Aquí el humor de Allen es más visible y se puede disfrutar más. Tiene el mismo peso que tiene el resto de la filmografía de Allen, pero con una mejor notoriedad en el balance entre el drama y la comedia. La participación de Woody Allen como protagonista es quizás lo que le da más humor a esta película debido a su característica manera exagerada de actuar. Hollywood Ending es en definitiva la película más digerible y procesable de un director que está demasiado acostumbrado a brindar películas muy melodramáticas. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 7/10.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

3.3 . Woody Allen always over does his jokes but I liked it

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/22

Full Review

Audience Member

One of Allen's worst. The observations about Hollywood are pretty superficial and unfunny, Allen is totally wrong for the lead role (physical comedy like this isn't really in his wheelhouse), and it is probably 20-30 minutes too long.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

robert r

"Hollywood Ending" finds writer/director/actor Woody Allen performing at an undeniably ineffective level in pretty much every department. Brimming with poorly blocked, rehearsed and executed long-takes of actors half-improvising over one another, it feels a bit like Woody Allen's character from the movie directed this very flick. Like someone just kind of gave up making something of substance and went on auto-pilot. This is definitely one of the sloppier efforts I've seen on the filmmaker's part. Yet, for the life of me, every now and then I'll notice some spirit and wit seeping through the cracks. Had there been a bit more elbow grease applied in the rewriting and production phases, I think this would have turned out much more palatable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Enjoyable if lightweight Woody Allen comedy about a pretentious film director, Allen, who's offered a chance to direct a major film while his career is on the skids by his producer/ex-wife, the excellent Téa Leoni. Things get complicated when Allen's new bimbo girlfriend, a very funny Debra Messing, wants a part in the film, and also by Allen's being jealous of Leoni's new boyfriend, studio boss Treat Williams. And top that off by Allen getting a case of hysterical blindness a the start of filming which he needs to hide from everyone in order to keep his job. The plot isn't exactly comic gold, but the witty banter between character is classic Woody Allen and more than enough to make this film well worth watching for fans of Allen's nervous little fellow character. And watch for George Hamilton, Mark Rydell, Tiffani Thiessen, and former AMC host Bob Dorian if funny supporting roles.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Woody Allen

Director

Woody Allen

Val

Téa Leoni

Ellie

George Hamilton

Ed

Debra Messing

Lori

Mark Rydell

Al

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David Denby

New Yorker

Hollywood Ending has its satirical charms, but it repeats itself remorselessly, and it has no emotional center.

Nov 17, 2015

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Ephemeral, Woody Allen. Only for his fans.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

You know a romantic comedy is in trouble when you root for the hero not to get the girl.

Nov 1, 2007

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Filled with laughs and missed potential for lots more, the film leaves us happy but maybe wishing for something bigger.

May 26, 2006

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

Rated: 3/4

Sep 30, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Woody Allen stars as Val Waxman, a two-time Oscar winner turned washed-up, neurotic director in desperate need of a comeback. When it comes, Waxman finds himself backed into a corner: Work for his ex-wife Ellie (Tea Leoni) or forfeit his last shot. Is Val blinded by love when he opts for the reconnect? Is love blind when it comes to Ellie's staunch support? Literally and figuratively, the proof is the picture.

Director: Woody Allen
Executive Producer: Stephen Tenenbaum, Jack Rollins, Charles H. Joffe
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, Perido Productions, Gravier Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug References|Sexual Material)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 3, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.8M
Sound Mix: Mono, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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