Outcome

The one word that comes to mind the most both during and following a view of this new "film" from Apple TV, is masturbatory. Off-putting also works.

Jonah Hill's third film (following his excellent debut mid-90s, and then his COVID-era documentary Stutz), is another one of these "behind the scenes of Hollywood" projects of late that feels like nothing but self-indulgent, because whatever they're trying to convey is so exclusive to their specific industry that it's completely un-relatable. Outcome felt similar to Judd Apatow's COVID project, The Bubble, which starred much of his family, bored by the pandemic and looking for something to do, apparently. But it DOESN'T feel similar to Seth Rogen's series The Studio, which does this Hollywood satire smartly and in a relatable way.

Two positives are the performances from Keanu Reeves and Martin Scorsese. Nothing remarkable or award-worthy, but they both were darn good and undoubtedly prevented me from turning the film off. Keanu for his humanity and believability, and Martin for seeing another side to him, especially as he rarely takes acting roles.

I absolutely can NOT recommend this film, but I can recommend Jonah's debut mid-90s, a great little gem of a film.