Bullets Over Broadway

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Bullets Over Broadway

R

1994

1h 39m

Comedy

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Struggling 1920s playwright David Shayne (John Cusack), having failed to secure financing for his latest work, reluctantly makes a deal with mob boss Nick Valenti (Joe Viterelli) : a Broadway debut with the chance to direct, as long as Nick's flibbertigibbet girlfriend, Olive (Jennifer Tilly), plays one of the lead roles. As Olive and star Helen Sinclair (Dianne Wiest) attempt to upstage each other, Olive's gangland bodyguard Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) starts suggesting changes to David's script.

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Critics Consensus

A gleefully entertaining backstage comedy, Bullets Over Broadway features some of Woody Allen's sharpest, most inspired late-period writing and direction.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 21, 2018

The joy of this bouncy, brainy Allen outing is how effortlessly he meshes his serious, clearly personal conundrums with the giddy formulas of backstage farce.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Aug 12, 2008

The performances, however, are very enjoyable, with first honors going to Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest.

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

Jul 31, 2008

A backstage comedy bolstered by healthy shots of prohibition gangster melodrama and romantic entanglements.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Mar 1, 2022

2.5/4

This, at best, is second-rate, unimportant Woody Allen. It tries much too hard and delivers only the obvious.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 15, 2022

3.5/4

One of Woody's best.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Sep 18, 2014

One of Woody Allen's flat-out funniest movies.

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Ben W

@Username618 Jun 17, 2026

Can't remember- possibly a blessing, that.

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Michelle M

@Mickieam Mar 2, 2026

Words can't express how ingenious this movie is! Fresh and funny. Thank you Mr. Allen.

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Tommy H

@Tommy44 Dec 17, 2025

I couldn’t see the appeal—dull scenes, hollow characters, and only mildly funny, like a smidge of amusement. I quit halfway through.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Jun 27, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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David H

@DavidQHarris Sep 22, 2024

A very entertaining film with a great plot and great actors. Probably WA's best. John Cusack shines in this film.

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John L

@view2views Apr 2, 2024

This film sparkles with all the flavours and fun and joy that makes it worthwhile going to the movies!

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Woody Allen

Director

John Cusack

David Shayne

Jack Warden

Julian Marx

Chazz Palminteri

Cheech

Joe Viterelli

Nick Valenti

Jennifer Tilly

Olive Neal

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Synopsis

Struggling 1920s playwright David Shayne (John Cusack), having failed to secure financing for his latest work, reluctantly makes a deal with mob boss Nick Valenti (Joe Viterelli) : a Broadway debut with the chance to direct, as long as Nick's flibbertigibbet girlfriend, Olive (Jennifer Tilly), plays one of the lead roles. As Olive and star Helen Sinclair (Dianne Wiest) attempt to upstage each other, Olive's gangland bodyguard Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) starts suggesting changes to David's script.

Director: Woody Allen
Producer: Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter: Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath
Distributor: Laurenfilm S.A., Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Magnolia Pictures, Sweetland Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 1994, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Jun 5, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.4M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround, Mono

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