Search - Celebrity on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Adult Humor, Profanity Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 08/10/1999 Format: DVD - Black and White,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 53 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Comedy, Satire, Comedy of Manners, Ensemble Film, Urban Comedy, Media Satire

Black-and-white Sven Nykvist cinematography highlights this Woody Allen comedy about fame and obscurity among Manhattan celebs. Journalist Lee Simon (Kenneth Branagh), makes a play for actress Nicole Oliver (Melanie Griffith), subject of his current story. Lee is separated from his wife Robin (Judy Davis), a schoolteacher who's totally lost and insecure -- until TV producer Tony Gardella (Joe Mantegna) becomes fascinated with her. Concerned about her possible sexual inadequacies, Robin recruits a prostitute (Bebe Neuwirth) to instruct her on oral sex techniques. On the town, Lee becomes transfixed by a blond supermodel (Charlize Theron), who teases him throughout the night, eventually dropping him before they get home. Lee's relationship with book editor Bonnie (Famke Janssen) is solid, and she's due to move into his place. However, he suddenly becomes romantically involved with waitress-actress Nola (Winona Ryder), complicating his agreement with Bonnie. Lee's efforts to sell his screenplay take him to the Stanhope Hotel, where he arrives just as spoiled young movie star Brandon Darrow (Leonardo DiCaprio) is fighting with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol), trashing his hotel room, and insulting hotel staffers. When Darrow and his entourage head off to Atlantic City, Lee tags along, but as life swirls about him, a dismal dawn awaits. In addition to the Stanhope, locations included Barbetta's Restaurant, Ziegfeld Theatre, Soho's Serge Soroko Gallery, Flamingo Club, Jean-Georges Restaurant, and the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino (donated by Donald Trump, who portrays himself in a cameo at the Jean-Georges). Shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival, this was the opening night selection of the 1998 New York Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Kenneth Branagh - Lee Simon
Judy Davis - Robin Simon
Famke Janssen - Bonnie
Joe Mantegna - Tony Gardella
Melanie Griffith - Nicole Oliver

Woody Allen's 1998 black-and-white film Celebrity was a mild theatrical success at best, even with the presence of teen idol Leonardo Di Caprio (Titanic), and this DVD offers nothing more than the original film in its widescreen version. It's a strictly bare-bones release, with neither theatrical trailers nor production notes. The film is mostly dialogue-driven, so the Dolby Digital Audio doesn't stand out as the most exciting feature, though fans of the film will enjoy the transfer. Black-and-white films generally transfer really well to the DVD medium, which is certainly true here. No language options are offered, and subtitles are in English only. ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide