One of the most brilliant Woody Allen's 90s' pictures, such a mockery of the "beautiful people" with some traces of a romantic comedy and some reflexions about couple troubles made in Woody. But there's an objection and that's Kenneth Brannagh. He's a great actor (no doubt about it) but in "Celebrity" you can't help thinking that he's imitating the character that Woody should've played. It's quite clear that Woody wrote this for himself, but he was too old to play a man that conquers Winona Ryder or Famke Janssen.

Last but not least, what about Judy Davis?? God, she's magnificent, one of the best actresses ever, and that scene with the prostitute is totally hilarious. Woody should've married her instead of Mia 30 years ago!!

So, if Woody would've played the role that eventually played Brannagh this could've been one of his best works. But Brannagh is not Woody, and that's noticeable.

*My rate: 7/10

It seems like Celebrity is one of Woody Allen's most polarising films and that is understandable. It is one of my least favourite films of his along with What's Up Tiger Lily, To Rome with Love and Cassandra's Dream(remember September, Shadow and Fog and Curse of the Jade Scorpion not being very good, but all three need a re-watch),but that is not to say it is terrible because it isn't. It is wonderfully photographed(by far and away the best thing about the film),not surprising seeing as this is Sven Nykvist- responsible for a lot of the photography for the films of Ingmar Bergman, the best of which are some of the most visually beautiful and best films ever made- we're talking about. It does have some funny and witty lines, the best of which really sparkle, not to the extent they're quotable but they are funny still and raise a good smile. There are some scenes like Bebe Neuwirth teaching Judy Davis how to improve her sexual skills and Leonardo DiCaprio's tempting Branagh, or at least trying to, into group sex that are memorable. Allen's direction is a little unfocused in places but his style is unmistakable still, so Celebrity at least feels like a Woody Allen film and it has enough quirky moments to not be too dull. The performances on the most part are a lot of fun as well, Winona Ryder, Bebe Neuwirth, Leonardo DiCaprio(who had the most energy in the cast) and Joe Montegna being particularly so. Famke Janssen is appealing too, in short though this is a case of the supporting cast being better than the leads.

Kenneth Branagh I have to agree doesn't work here(a shame because he is a great actor and just as talented a director),giving a rare irritating performance that is so careful channelling Woody Allen that he comes across as a pale imitation instead with no sense of originality or coming into his own. That his material is not the best works against him as well. Judy Davis is a little better with some signs of charm and humanity but a lot of her performance is way overdone, for somebody who was so good in Husbands and Wives it was disappointing. The script and gags have their moments and much of it is most admirable, but the humour could have been more biting and more acerbic. It was a very good example of humour that was funny in parts but wasn't consistent, it wasn't clever, sharp or thought provoking enough and came across as mean-spirited in places. And there are scenes that just don't work, some of the blow-job jokes did to me come across as distasteful while the scenes with Davis's doorstepping television interviews, Ryder's rehearsal in seducing women and the opening of the gallery in Soho were particularly risible. The story could have been much tighter and could have dealt with its themes more freshly, much of it is very muddled, painfully predictable and rambling as well as dealt with in a self-indulgent way and paced ploddingly. The characters don't have much personality(excepting DiCaprio's) and very little of Celebrity rings true, the risible scenes being very difficult to take at face value. In conclusion, definitely could have been worse considering the dislike it has but Celebrity personally was a disappointment. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Lee Simon (Kenneth Branagh) is a womanizing celebrity journalist. He flirts with Nola (Winona Ryder) and movie star Nicole Oliver (Melanie Griffith) trying to pitch her his screenplay. He had divorced his teacher wife Robin (Judy Davis) after 16 years of marriage. She is stressed out and goes to a religious retreat. He follows model (Charlize Theron) and crashes his car. He starts dating Bonnie (Famke Janssen). Robin goes to plastic surgeon Dr. Lupus and meets TV producer Tony Gardella (Joe Mantegna). While Lee's life slowly crumble, Robin finds new life in the celebrity world herself.

Kenneth Branagh is mimicking Woody Allen except the comedy doesn't transfer completely. There is something about Woody's nerdy jitteriness that is inherently funny. Branagh isn't a comedian. Add to the fact that this is in black and white, this feels like an inferior shadow of better Woody Allen movies. There are lots of celebrity cameos in the cast but I can't get rid of the feeling that this is an empty Hollywood shell. I guess that's part of the point. It has some funny moments but not really enough.