Joe Pesci is one of the most underrated comedic actors in all of Hollywood. The reason is simple, Cousin Vinny aside, he's never really been able to have success on his own. Pesci is usually in huge movies, paired with other big stars, and his rave reviews fall under the supporting actor tag. Jimmy Hollywood is yet another example of Joe Pesci going out on his own and striking out big time, which is quite surprising, when you consider who the Director of the film was. Jimmy Alto (Pesci) is a failing actor in Hollywood, he's done everything he can to make a name for himself, but he never has. One night a down and depressed Jimmy finds that his car has been broken into and it's the last straw. Along with him best friend, William (Christian Slater), Jimmy decides he's going to make a name for himself by cleaning up the streets of L.A., but that doesn't go exactly as planned either. The film is Written/Directed by Barry Levinson, who is usually known for his originality, but in this case, he's got nothing more than a trailer trash rip off of The Green Hornet. The parallels are really uncanny and the originality just isn't there. Even if a film has been done before, if it's good, I can still somewhat enjoy it, but that's another glaring problem with this film, it's not even that funny! Where are Joe Pesci's legendary profanity filled tirades? Where are the classic Home Alone type slapstick moments? Jimmy Hollywood just kind of is what it is, and what it is, is slow, predictable, and done. As a fan of Joe Pesci, I had to see it, but you don't, trust me, you're not missing anything.

I could not believe the 5* rating on a Barry Levinson movie, and I'm glad I did't. What we have here is unique in its kind movie about nature of fame and success in Hollywood. Jimmy is a bad actor and full on naive romantic trying to get a role in all the wrong ways he can imagine. Being bored to death he starts a vigilante joke on LAPD that goes too far, as he finds himself unable to adapt to the world he is living in. Film is very well written and shot, the only beef i have with it is that it's too slow. Unnecessary slow. Barry was trying to give it something like a dark|tragic side. He did not exactly succeed, but it's not a problem. Jimmy Hollywood is smart and funny, super rewarding for patient and observant viewer. I can only explain 5* rating by unlikabilaty of Jimmys character. Also it is a role of bad actor played by bad actor. Yet, it, somehow, all works! Believe me or not.

I admire Barry Levinson's work very much, he's done some great movies and when "Jimmy Hollywood" was airing in my TV, I thought, remembering a complete turkey which was "Bandits" (with Willis and Thornton, directed by Levinson) that this buddy-movie won't be better and I was totally, positively disappointed. Most simple is to say, that it's a one man-show by Joe Pesci, who simply IS Jimmy Alto, a "wanna-be" actor, who continuously looking for his chance in the film capitol of the World-Hollywood. The movie is funny, well-written, good-feeling, has great acting and... cameo of one of the biggest stars of today's cinema at the end. I was very surprised by Christian Slater's role, who always plays dynamic characters, and here it's a complete opposite performance. Also Victoria Abril, known from Almodovar movies, gives here very good acting as Pesci's fiancee. If you saw the poster to this movie, I can only tell that the movie is as COOL as Pesci and Slater cool-looking while sunbathing at the pool. I just can't imagine, how such great movie could earn only $3,6 mlns!!! That's a shame for american audience. I recommend it for everyone who searches for some intelligent entertainment and for all Joe Pesci fans.

"Jimmy Hollywood" is an underrated classic, with Joe Pesci as Jimmy Alto, wanna-be movie star and starry-eyed idealist. Its final scenes and Cinderella ending will leave you with the warm fuzzies, and I could recommend it just for that. But it's a unique tale of failure-turned-victory and any student of film will be able to identify with the likable Jimmy and his associates on the mean streets of the film capital. The supporting cast is well-chosen, and the plotline progresses evenly to its satisfying final wrap. If you liked "Ed Wood", "Jimmy Hollywood" could also be your ticket back to the movies as they were seldom seen by the rest of us.