Few people alive know more about old-school Hollywood than critic-turned-director Peter Bogdanovich. Yet his attempt to update the screwball of the Golden Age lacks the requisite elegance, wit and charm. Poots is the escort-turned-actress whose night with theatre director Wilson sets into motion tired shenanigans around shrinks, private detectives, tangled relationships, lots of slapping and sequences contrived to bring the ensemble together.
The talented cast — including Kathryn Hahn, Aniston, Rhys Ifans — valiantly attempt to pep things up, there are lots of cameos to spot and a genuine love for movies courses through it, but Bogdanovich (once nicknamed Peter Boggeddownabit) never finds the light touch to make it sparkle.