Robert De NIro gives his most appealing, least mannered performance in years. Unfortunately, it's for this lifeless Hollywood satire (based on the fun memoirs of producer Art Linson) that has nothing new to say.

What Just Happened? is a dark comedy about a Hollywood producer (Robert De Niro) who is in a deep rut. The film that he just finished (with Sean Penn) appears to be a bomb and the film that he is preparing to start is in big trouble because its star (Bruce Willis) is fat, bearded, and arrogant. On top of that, De Niro's personal life is falling apart.

The film has some funny scenes. This is Hollywood poking fun at itself. It reminded me a little bit of Get Shorty because that movie has a similar theme. As many reviewers pointed out, however, What Just Happened? doesn't seem all that fresh because there are many movies in which Hollywood makes fun of itself.

Another problem is that there are many, many "loose threads" at the end of this film. The film develops several storylines. One, De Niro's 17-year-old daughter supposedly had an affair with one of his friends. Two, De Niro is trying to work things out with his ex-wife. Three, Bruce Willis is represented by an agent who is so nervous from dealing with him that the agent has horrible stomach problems. Amazingly, none of these stories is brought to a decent conclusion.

What Just Happened? is OK. There are some good laughs. But it has several shortcomings.

In this so-called comedy, Robert DeNiro plays a producer who is having a bad day. His most recent film (which stars Sean Penn) has tested horribly with early audiences and his director refuses to budge on its disturbing ending. His ex-wives (both of them) live high on the hog in his ex-mansions while he makes do with a closest sized room full of plastic-wrapped furniture. His next big project is about to go belly up because its star (Bruce Willis) refuses to shave. And his therapist isn't helping matters any, either.

Yes, yes, yes. Hollywood is a dark, soulless industry populated by manipulative, selfish, shallow individuals. The film breaks no new ground, offers no clever insights, and doesn't even have the energy to be zany or delightful. It's just a big, black blah that thinks it's being sardonic. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

It was my mistake to think that such high billed stars (DeNiro and Willis) would be a guarantee that someone would take the time to write an interesting script before hiring them. Oops.

Usually, I give a film about 20 minutes to become interesting, and then it gets taken out ofthe DVD player. I gave this one about an hour, and it still flunked the test. Oops.

This was a horrible waste of time. Don't make the same mistake that I did.

I couldn't say it any better than Mommabookworm "Mommabookworm" (Ca.) did.

So put me down for a ditto I've already wasted too much time on this movie.

Thanks