Review

Woody asks "What price fame?" and then comes up with a few desirable and not-so-desirable answers in this often amusing, scattershot comedy that is Allen's first film since Shadows and Fog shot in black and white. Taking over the "Woody" role (neurotic, stammering author) is Branagh, who -- though giving a good impression of the Woodman -- becomes irritating after a while. He plays Lee Simon, a self-absorbed writer who falls down the celebrity rabbit hole. The assorted people he meets on his crazy journey include Griffith (as a pampered actress who will only have oral sex with our hero), DiCaprio (very effective as a spoiled DiCaprio-like superstar), Theron (as a fun-loving supermodel) and Ryder (as a more down-to-earth actress). Woody's dialogue is zesty, and though the story isn't quite as developed as one would like, the humor and a good cast certainly compensate. Davis sparkles as Simon's ex-wife who achieves her own unexpected fame.