With Friends Like These... (1998)

Truly Dreadful Film

Good idea lost in the noise

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

What a great cast! A lot of favorites like David Strathairn, Laura San Giacomo and Bill Murray; and some that really gave great performances like Robert Costanzo and Amy Madigan, made this an enjoyable comedy.It was hilarious to see those that were supposedly "friend" jump at the chance to stab each other in the back to get a part in a Scorsese film.Friendship only goes so far when you are a struggling actor and haven't had a good part. Fortunately, things do sometimes work out and friends can be friends again.A stellar cast made this a film that really should have gotten a lot more notice and respect.

Thought this film would be rather interesting since I love all the actors in this film, however, it held my interest for about an hour and then I simply got entirely tired of the characters in the film repeat themselves over and over again. These actors are all striving to find acting positions and at the same time are good friends from way back when. However, there is a gangster role that seems to be in the making and all these actors secretly make an appointment to try out for the role. All the characters practice over and over again and this film becomes boring right to the bitter end. Do not recommend viewing this film, however, everyone might feel completely different.

I just saw this film in its 2005 re-release. It's really a fun little film, with quite a few laughs and lots of great moments among a really amazing, well-chosen cast.It's so much smarter than the average Hollywood film -- which may have been its problem when released?! Who knows why studios do what they do -- and apparently, they didn't do this film justice in 1998 (after all, it has an ensemble cast where -- gasp -- no one is under 30!)As both a writer and an Italian-American, I got perhaps an extra kick out of the story, which is about survival in Hollywood for these four actor characters and their families -- but the film's humor and theme of friendship is truly universal.

This is a pretty good 'slice-of-life' comedy. It revolves around four male actors who become captivated by the prospect of auditioning for the part of Al Capone in Martin Scorsese's next production. The Los Angeles actors' lifestyle is chronicled here, with several ironic references to familiar themes: nobody can keep their mouth shut, times are tough, and everybody is out for themselves."With Friends Like These" has flaws. It doesn't have as many laughs as it should, and the 'feel-good' parts of the film don't come off quite right. There is some comedy here, and some drama, but the the two aren't integrated well. The characters are knowingly painted as self-absorbed, except for Amy Madigan's character, who has a penchant for charity work. What saves the film is a fairly good script, some good ensemble work by the cast, and a brisk tempo that keeps the film hopping along.The film's second half is better than its first, and I enjoyed the end quite a bit. David Strathairn is one of the great underrated American actors, and he has a lot to do with the film gaining momentum. Elle MacPherson is good too, as she is given something to do besides just look ravishing. She always does that well, but it's nice to see her get a chance to act.Other nice touches were Scorsese himself appearing in one of the pivotal final scenes, and some nice work between Strathairn and his girlfriend, played by Lauren Tom. This film isn't a classic, but it is about people rather than robots or a serial killer, and it doesn't insult the intelligence of people over 20 years old. Rating 7/10.