The Deal (2008)

27% of users liked it
(4,981 ratings)

His career in an uncontrollable downward spiral, a hapless Hollywood producer cons a major studio into financing a $100 million action film following the adventures of 19th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, only to find his swindle taking a sudden turn for the worse when his star is… More His career in an uncontrollable downward spiral, a hapless Hollywood producer cons a major studio into financing a $100 million action film following the adventures of 19th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, only to find his swindle taking a sudden turn for the worse when his star is kidnapped and the production is shut down. Now left with few other options for resuscitating his flat-lining career, the producer aligns himself with a well-connected Hollywood studio executive in a clandestine attempt to finance another, wholly different film by utilizing the blocked studio funds. William H. Macy and Meg Ryan star in The Wool Cap director Steven Schachter's comic look at the twisted side of Hollywood politics. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Steven Schachter
Written By: Steven Schachter, William H. Macy
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 21, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2009
Studio: Peace Arch Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge, Variety
Unfortunately, the characters seem to be doing all the laughing, while the general public has nothing to cling to but the horndog flirtation between mismatched leads William H. Macy and Meg Ryan -- hardly ideal ingredients for mainstream success.
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter
A wacky Hollywood satire that never catches fire.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
The Deal could have had a more solid impact with a leaner script shaving off some of those subplot detours. And can we drop those lewd seduction routines in these movies already that hello, would never get the babe in the real world.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
The Deal could have had a more solid impact with a leaner script shaving off some of those subplot detours. And can we drop those lewd seduction routines in these movies already that hello, would never get the babe in the real world.
Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat
Lets many humorous conceits fly.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

Couldn't hold my attention well. It was okay and funny, but not something to watch again.
Sol C

The film is very entertaining. Both William H. Macy and Meg Ryan shine in the movie. They have a great on screen chemistry. The script and the dialog is very good. The film reminded me of movies like Bowfinger and State and Maine. My problem with the film was how much it was like… More
The film is very entertaining. Both William H. Macy and Meg Ryan shine in the movie. They have a great on screen chemistry. The script and the dialog is very good. The film reminded me of movies like Bowfinger and State and Maine. My problem with the film was how much it was like State and Maine. Even Macy's character in this film is similar to his character in State and Maine. Still the film is very entertaining, and despite it's flaws, is still worth viewing.
Deb S

"Hey, we're in the entertainment business, right? So, I'm entertaining myself!" Williams H Macy stars as a down-and-out film producer Charlie Berns whose career in an uncontrollable downward spiral. He cons a major studio into financing a $100 million deal on a… More
"Hey, we're in the entertainment business, right? So, I'm entertaining myself!" Williams H Macy stars as a down-and-out film producer Charlie Berns whose career in an uncontrollable downward spiral. He cons a major studio into financing a $100 million deal on a script he hasn't even read. Along the way, Charlie meets his match in Deidre Hearn, a sharp-witted development executive who sees right through his games while simultaneously admiring his indifferent personality. Despite their loathing attitudes toward each other, Berns and Hearn lock in the movie deal by signing Bobby Mason (LL Cool J), a newly converted black Jewish action star but the swindle takes a sudden turn for the worse when his star is kidnapped and the production is shut down so the producer hatches a scheme with Hearn to save the star and the movie.
Chosen 7

Very entertaining, great performance by William H. Macy.

Cast

William H. Macy
as Charlie Berns
Meg Ryan
as Diedre Hearn
LL Cool J

See full cast

The Deal (2008)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

Sol C

Deb S

Chosen 7

Cast