BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (1994) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Woody Allen

Written by - Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath

Starring - Jim Broadbent, John Cusack, Harvey Fierstein, Chazz Palminteri, Mary-Louise Parker, Rob Reiner, Jennifer Tilly, Tracey Ullman, Joe Viterelli, Jack Warden, Dianne Wiest

"Set in Broadway in the twenties, a struggling playwright is forced to cast a mobster's talentless girlfriend in order to get his show produced. 

WOODY ALLEN's return to form after a number of substandard film takes a close look and insider's peek at the theatrical world, with an admirable satirical bite and sense of humour that is distinctive of the filmmaker but also casually recalls BLACK SNOW by BULGAKOV. The dialogue is snappy, sometimes even ferocious and exciting. 

The film is embellished by an excellent art direction, that infuses the film with an air of nostalgia. But far from its resting on its laurels, the film also works because of its timelessness whilst obviously concealing a love and admiration for the theatrical art, that feels genuine and inspired.

As a usual feature in a WOODY ALLEN film, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY features great performances by an excellent cast, but ultimately it is the colourful turns by CHAZZ PALMINTERI and DIANNE WIEST that steal the show."

Comedy, USA