WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

Year: 2008
USA: Magnolia Pictures
UK: Pathe Distribution
Cast: Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, John Turturro, Robin Wright Penn, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Stewart, Michael Wincott, Bruce Willis, Moon Bloodgood, Lily Rabe, Peter Jacobson, Dennis Albanese, Emily Alpren, Ari Barak, Lindy Booth, Felix J Boyle, Scott Burn, Alessandra Daniele, Cayleen Davies, Vincent De Paul, Jay Ferraro, Jill Flint, Karina Friend Buck, Logan Grove, Marin Hinkle, Mark Ivanir, Lu Johnson, Kalina Justice, Brandon Keener, Ayla Kell, Florence Annequin
Director: Barry Levinson
Country: USA
USA: 107 mins
UK: 102 mins
USA Rated: R for language, some violent images, sexual content and some drug material
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and moderate bloody violence
USA Release Date: 17 October 2008 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 28 November 2008

Synopsis

WHAT JUST HAPPENED is a satirical comedy about two nail-biting, back-stabbing, roller-coaster weeks in the life of Ben (Robert De Niro; MEET THE PARENTS) a middle aged Hollywood producer trying to juggle his work and private life in tinsel town.

Ben is already in over his head trying to balance the tug-of-war of having two ex-wives and two different families with his latest business venture - the boldly "visionary" movie 'Fiercely' starring Sean Penn (played by himself; 21 GRAMS) when everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.

'Fiercely' looks like it is going to be an audience-offending flop which the hard nosed studio chief Lou (Catherine Keener - 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN), insists will only see the light day if Ben convinces drug-addled director Jeremy (Michael Wincott - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO) to re-cut the finished product.

Meanwhile in his private life, he can't stop thinking about his ex, Kelly (Robin Wright Penn - BEOWULF), is shocked by his daughter Zoe (Kristen Stewart - JUMPER) in her readiness to grow up and infuriated with his friend Scott (Stanley Tucci - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) who's not only trying to make a deal with him but also making moves on his former wife...

On his next project he's trying to deal with the artistic temperament of his leading man; Bruce Willis (played by himself - LIVE FREE AND DIE HARD) whilst receiving no support from Bruce Willis' spineless agent Dick (John Turturro - O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU).

Somehow amidst the madness, treachery, deceit, huge egos and personal politics behind-the-scenes in Hollywood, Ben has to find a way not just to Cannes with a finished film, but to cope and keep his sanity...