The Deal (2008)

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Charlie Berns (William H. Macy), a down-and-out Hollywood dude, decides to play a major studio for money to make a motion picture supposedly based on his nephew's (Jason Ritter) first script about England's Benjamin Disraeli. But Berns liberally adapts the script, updates it, turns it toward an action adventure staring the hot property Bobby Mason (LL Cool J) whose only resemblence to Disraeli is the yamulka.

What Berns really decides to do is woo the up-tight studio executive (Meg Ryan) assigned to oversee his film.

Also in the cast are Elliott Gould as the rabbi hired as a consultant on Jewish tradition, Sharon Raginiano as the film's inept director, plus Aiden Lithgow and Kate Blumberg.

While some fine performers seemed to have a lot of fun, this isn't high humor and only a tick above ordinary.

Directed by Steven Schachter, who co-wrote the script with William H. Macy.

Run time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Rated R for sexual content and language.

My personal rating: C+