The Comeback Trail

"Generally, movies that pay homage to cinema are packed with grandiose moments and that frequent desire to snatch a spot in the awards season - this is the case with 'Mank', 'Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood', 'The Artist' and so on. That's why it's so unusual for a movie like 'The Comeback Trail'. A remake of the 1982 film of the same name, the feature tells the story of a failed producer (Robert De Niro) who sees in a decadent western star (Tommy Lee Jones) a chance for redemption. But not because of a good movie, but because of the money he can make from the insurance if that movie star dies on the set. Well. From this somewhat gloomy starting point, filmmaker George Gallo ('Bad Boys') puts spice in the discussion about what Hollywood is really like, even if it doesn't become a really powerful comment on the film industry. The bestiality of the humor, coupled with some truly embarrassing moments, prevent this path from happening. Still, there is room here to have fun - mainly with De Niro's (‘The Irishman’) canastrona performance - and, somehow, give Hollywood a few nudges."