Michael Burgess (Alan Alda) is a simple college history professor. He had written a serious Pulitzer winning book about the American Revolution which is being turned into a movie. The production has come to town and everybody is excited. He is shocked when the scriptwriter (Bob Hoskins) tells him that his book has been turned into a bad comedy. The director (Saul Rubinek) does not care. Elliott James (Michael Caine) and Faith Healy (Michelle Pfeiffer) are the lead actors in the movie within the movie. This also stars silent film legend Lillian Gish.
Alan Alda stars, writes, and directs this satire of a Hollywood movie production. It's mildly humorous. It tackles a satire-rich environment but pulls its punches when it should be going for the throat. The movie starts off right with good turns from Hoskins and Rubinek on the consultation. After that, the only one truly going for it is Michael Caine. His sword fighting is the most memorable part of the movie. In the end, the movie doesn't have enough comedic power to deliver the knockout punch of a great satire.
Alan Alda stars, writes, and directs this satire of a Hollywood movie production. It's mildly humorous. It tackles a satire-rich environment but pulls its punches when it should be going for the throat. The movie starts off right with good turns from Hoskins and Rubinek on the consultation. After that, the only one truly going for it is Michael Caine. His sword fighting is the most memorable part of the movie. In the end, the movie doesn't have enough comedic power to deliver the knockout punch of a great satire.