The basis, the source of cinema, theater, dance and every art form is poetry, the deep darkness of magic that gave birth to it and the blinding light of deep search that completed it. Without them there is no art, without them we would have simple constructions for consumption. On the other hand, the quality of a work of art does not depend on how many tickets it sold or how many spectators saw it, but on the quality and depth of its ideas and on the way, plasticity and originality it was told.
“Balls Over Broadway” on Cinobo tells the story of Davin Shane (John Cusack), a young aspiring playwright who dreams of bringing his play to life on Broadway. In need of financial support, he reluctantly accepts funding from notorious gangster Nick Valenti, on the condition that Valenti’s intrepid girlfriend, Olive Neal, takes the lead role.
As rehearsals begin, Olive’s glaring lack of talent becomes apparent. The arch-gangster’s bumbling girlfriend struggles to remember her lines and fails to deliver them convincingly, frustrating the rest of the cast. Meanwhile, David is attracted to the charming protagonist Ellen Sinclair (Diane Wist), so a romantic atmosphere is created when the two meet.
To control Olive’s movements, but also to ensure his girlfriend’s safety, Valenti assigns Cheech (Chazz Palminderi), a loyal member of the gang, to watch the rehearsals during the production. Surprisingly, Cheech turns out to be a hidden gem, offering insightful and creative ideas to improve the play’s script. His unexpected suggestions begin to reshape the show, much to David’s surprise and delight.
In some performances, for reasons of force majeure, Olive is replaced by a decent actress and the play becomes much better. Cheech, seeing the difference, kills Olive, because she’s been ruining his script for so long. David becomes furious with him and then goes to Helen and confides in her that he is having an affair with Helen Sinclair, but she is unfazed as she is “travelling” with David’s friend Flander.
Valenti’s girlfriends tell him that Cheech was the one who killed Olive, because they were having an affair. Valenti believes them and orders them to kill him. They chase the would-be victim backstage during the show and shoot him. Just before he dies, he tells David some final changes to the script. Critics think that the shootings were part of the performance they watched, they do not praise the play as a masterpiece.
In the end, David arrives “in pieces” under Flander’s house and asks to be with Helen again. She turns to him, our fickle author asks her to live married in her birthplace, while he reveals two things to her: that he loves her and that he is not an artist.
One of the main strengths of Bullets Over Broadway is its quirky and well-developed characters. John Cusack plays David Shane interestingly and convincingly, capturing the dilemmas of a writer trying to balance his artistic integrity with the demands of his dark benefactor. Chaz Palminderi, as Cheech, delivers an intelligent performance, lending his character authenticity, and unexpected depth.
Exploring the creative process and behind-the-scenes drama of a play’s development adds depth to the overall narrative. The clash between Cheech’s unorthodox but surprisingly effective ideas and David Shane’s stubborn artistic vision creates an exciting and funny tension throughout the film. The witty and clever dialogue, a hallmark of Woody Allen’s work, keeps us on our toes and the playful banter between the characters keeps the tone light, with constant transitions and surprises.
The film’s period setting transports us to the glamorous and glamorous Broadway of the 1920s convincingly and dazzlingly. The attention to detail in the costume and set design draws us into this nostalgic world with ease. However, while the comedic elements are inventive and original, the narrative feels a bit formulaic and predictable at times. Some of the plot twists are sometimes heavily foreshadowed, lessening the impact of certain revelations.
In conclusion, “Balls Over Broadway” is a charming and enjoyable comedy that successfully marries gangster intrigue with the world of theater. The excellent performances and witty script contribute to the film’s overall grittiness. Those who love Woody Allen’s unique style and those who appreciate the Roaring Twenties will find much to enjoy in this very beautiful film from the great creator.
It is true that many times the author writes one play, the actors play another and the audience understands a third. But when the “middle” creator in this case is Woody Allen, as one of the audience in the dark room, he “co-creates”, with the great director, his own version.
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