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William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, LL Cool J, Elliott Gould, Jason Ritter ... see more see more... , David Hunt , John Carson , Fiona Glascott , Sharon Reginiano , Kate Blumberg

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 Minis... read more read more...ter 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

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27% liked it

5,022 ratings

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Steven Schachter

Release Date: June 21, 2008

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (175)

  • dreamfaeries
    August 9, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Couldn't hold my attention well. It was okay and funny, but not something to watch again.
  • SC007
    February 27, 2011
    SC007
    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... read more 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.
  • xxdebxx
    December 23, 2010
    xxdebxx
    "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 ... read moreeven 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.
  • Chosen718
    December 31, 2009
    Chosen718
    Very entertaining, great performance by William H. Macy.
  • LuckyLou1
    August 24, 2009
    LuckyLou1
    Sooooo disappointing. Big named stars with rotten dialogue, no action, and slooow moving. Don't bother to watch this movie.
  • coxjohn10
    February 5, 2009
    coxjohn10
    What happens when a washed-up movie producer, a rookie screenwriter, a newly converted black Jewish action star, and a tightly wound studio executive decide to make a movie? Meet Charlie Berns (William H. Macy), a veteran Hollywood movie producer whose suicidal tendencies have s... read morehaped his brazen and nearly invincible attitude. When his rookie screenwriter nephew hands him a script about Benjamin Disraeli, he decides to green light a $100 million Jewish movie deal without ever reading it. Enter the sharp-witted studio executive Deidre Hearn (Meg Ryan) who sees through Charlie?s antics 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. In this smart screwball satire, Charlie brashly begins creating a movie that is perceivably successful by Hollywood, but in no way follows his nephew?s script. During the movie shoot in South Africa, money hungry thugs kidnap their star Mason and seemingly destroy their chances of finishing the movie. In an attempt to avoid the studio from shutting them down, the mismatched pair conspires to keep the cameras rolling at the studio?s expense, and reluctantly fall in love in the process. The mischievous charm in this satire that inconspicuously pokes fun at Hollywood by revealing its stereotypes hinges on the wonderfully crackly Tracy-Hepburn chemistry between William Macy and Meg Ryan. Based on Peter Lefcourt?s novel ?The Deal?, the irrational conduct of the characters in this independent film merge together creating an inside comedic look at the absurdity of Hollywood. Macy?s apathetic performance is the thread that weaves together a satirical mood and emotion, evolving the perfect balance of comedy and romance. Amidst the chaos of trying to pull off one of the biggest hustles in Hollywood history, Charlie and Deidre discover that there is more to life than making the deal.
  • leegaccmovies
    February 2, 2009
    leegaccmovies
    Any fans of William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, LL Cool J, or just fans of film will enjoy this Hollywood-set comedy about the production of the movie Benjamin Disraeli. It's so ridiculous, but worth the viewing.
  • katherineleeroberts
    January 14, 2009
    katherineleeroberts
    I was pleasantly surprised by this movie! I was expecting just another simple, predictable story that I would forget about in a day, but was impressed by how original and interesting the plot was. It had just the right balance of seriousness, comedy, and even a little romance wit... read morehought being overbearing. This is a movie that I think is universally appealing and can be enjoyed by anyone.

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Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge
January 25, 2008
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 -- ha... Full Review

Stephen Farber
January 25, 2008
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter

A wacky Hollywood satire that never catches fire.

Prairie Miller
January 15, 2009
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 neve... Full Review

Matthew Sorrento
April 15, 2008
Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat

Lets many humorous conceits fly. Full Review

Carina Chocano
October 18, 2008
Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

October 18, 2008
Boxoffice Magazine

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October 18, 2008
Boston Phoenix

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    • Charlie Berns: Could you excuse yourself? I want to have dinner here but I don't want to have dinner with you.
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The Deal Trivia

  • This quote is from what movie? "Dude, what is the deal with Neil Patrick Harris? Why is he so horny?"  Answer »
  • Billy Crystal and Danny Devito starred in this 80's flick about a writer, a deal, and one hostile old lady  Answer »
  • In Ghost Rider, why did Johnny Blaze make the deal with the devil?  Answer »
  • QUOTE....*In a quiet vioce* "Emily How Many Times Do I Have To Scream Your Name From The Top Of My Voice" and "I See A Great Deal Of Myself In You" What Recant Movie Are they From  Answer »
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