Just
Write (1997)
Winstar
Cast:
Jeremy Piven, Sherilyn Fenn, Jobeth Williams.
Rating:
PG-13
Run
time: 95 mins
Genre:
Romantic
Verdict:
Beautiful
(see rating
system)
I
can't rave enough about this charming romantic comedy from
early in Jeremy Piven's career.
Piven
is perfect as humble Hollywood tour bus driver Harold, a man
who loves the movies and often despairs of the clueless tourists
who don't appreciate his encyclopedic knowledge of the movie
business.
Harold
works with his dad (Alex Rocco in a gruff, amusing performance)
and the business is struggling. Harold also has a non-existent
love life, until one evening he pops by the bar where his
friend Danny (Jeffrey D. Sams) is a bartender. There, meeting
with her agent Sidney Stone (JoBeth Willams) is Harold's favourite
movie star, Amanda Clark (the gorgeous Sherilyn Fenn).
While
Sidney slips out to take a call, Harold summons up the courage
to say "Hi" to Amanda. Through a bizarre misunderstanding,
she believes him to be an accomplished screenwriter who just
might be able to help rework her troubled latest project -
so she arranges to meet him next day.
It
sounds a stretch, but with a smart script perfectly played
by a talented cast, you can almost see this happening: the
little guy getting a completely accidental free ride to the
inside world of Hollywood. Hey, when I see films like Norbit
I can see ANY Hollywood tour bus driver writing a better script.
Numerous
complications ensue as Harold tries to stay one step ahead
of Sidney Stone, Amanda's jealous boyfriend and the truth
- while trying to rewrite her script. With great LA locations,
a rockin' soundtrack featuring the likes of Don's McLean's
American Pie, Here We Are (Gingersol) and I Can Only Hear
The Rhythm (Andrea De Valois), this is a gem of a movie.
