Woody Allen’s Celebrity satirically exposes the shallowness and seductive pull of fame while following the crisscrossing fates of a freshly divorced couple vying for meaning in a glittering but vacuous New York social scene.
Celebrity centers on Lee Simon (Kenneth Branagh), a failed novelist-turned-tabloid journalist, suffering a midlife crisis after separating from his anxious wife, Robin (Judy Davis). Lee submerges himself in the world of showbiz as he seeks validation and connection, attempting to sell a screenplay and seducing his way through glamorous circles.
Amid revels with a movie star (Melanie Griffith), a wild encounter with a supermodel (Charlize Theron), and trysts with alluring women Bonnie (Famke Janssen) and Nola (Winona Ryder), Lee always finds himself unsatisfied—paralyzed by his insecurities and the hollow promise of fame.
Charlize Theron in Celebrity (Photo/Miramax Films)
Meanwhile, Robin, starting from nervous insecurity, undergoes her own transformation, ultimately flourishing in an on-air career after a chance meeting with TV producer Tony Gardella (Joe Mantegna), finding the confidence, stability, and happiness that elude Lee.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a flamboyant turn as Brandon Darrow, a superstar whose outsized personality and excess highlight Lee’s failings. Adrian Grenier (Entourage), Sam Rockwell and John Doumanian as Darrow’s Entourage
Celebrity (Photo/Miramax Films)
Allen’s signature neurotic humor threads through the film, but much critical commentary singles out Branagh’s performance as a curious Allen imitation—mimicking Allen’s cadence and gestures, resulting in a strange, distractingly meta quality.
The episodic structure offers memorable cameos including Donald Trump as himself,, with the supporting cast injecting energy and satirical bite even though their screen time is fleeting.
Davis, in her fourth Allen collaboration, grounds Robin’s subplot with rare pathos and wit.
Gretchen Mol, Michael Lerner, Isaac Mezrahi, Bebe Neuwirth, Hank Azaria, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Debra Messing, Allison Janney, Jeffrey Wright and Greg Mottola round out the cast.
Where Celebrity shines is in its nervy depiction of the “fame game,” skewering obsessed media types and their targets. The film is also visually distinguished by Sven Nykvist’s crisp black-and-white cinematography, echoing a superficial glamour that stands in contrast to its characters’ empty pursuits.
Reception for Celebrity
Celebrity grossed $1.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing tenth at the box office.
The film would gross $5.1 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Celebrity drew mixed reviews with critics divided over Branagh’s affected performance and the film’s lack of emotional engagement.
Over time, it’s been viewed as an ambitious, if uneven, entry in Allen’s oeuvre—admired for its cast, insider cameos, and biting observational wit, but often deemed slight next to the director’s best works.
The film’s lampooning of nineties celebrity culture, however, remains relevant in the social media age, and its ensemble cast (including early and memorable appearances by DiCaprio and Theron) solidifies its reputation as a fascinating artifact of late-1990s American cinema.
