That was an excellent one.

So much average

Absolutely Fantastic

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

If you have a good sense of humor -- sophisticated humor, not slap stick or farce -- you will enjoy this movie about character actors and their efforts to break out of their ruts. The premise is that four actors who have long been close friends, are all dissatisfied with the parts they have been lucky to get, if they are getting them at all. Johnny DiMartino, the short obese bald member of the quartet, is called by Theresa (Beverly D'Angelo), a casting director who is a friend of the quartet, for an audition about the title role in a Marty Scorcese (who plays himself) movie about Al Capone. Only he has to keep this very hush hush. The one predictable part of the film is that keeping a secret in Hollywood is not going to happen. The first half of the movie involves the comedy of how the secret gets spread (no, not by the actors' wives, but by actor envy and insecurity). The second half deals with their preparation for the auditions, and of course the climax.An interesting piece of trivia is that actor Robert Costanzo who plays Johnny DiMartino, the actor Theresa selected to audition for the part of Al Capone, actually played that part in "Sizzle," a 1981 ABC TV movie featuring John Forsythe and Loni Anderson.

I first saw "With Friends Like These..." on video and assumed that it had gone straight to video. I should have known better than to think that! Portraying a circle of friends double-crossing each other with the aim of getting a part in Martin Scorsese's next picture, the movie pulls no punches. What can you expect in Hollywood?! A small movie, maybe, but a pretty neat one. I don't doubt that it offers a realistic look at things. And everyone does a good job in the roles. Starring Adam Arkin, David Strathairn, Robert Costanza, Amy Madigan, Bill Murray, Michael McKean...and yes, Marty himself in a brief appearance.The role of Mussolini. Hmm...

Wonderfully done! I thought I knew each of the characters. One right after another they became more real. It amazes me why films like this don't get more play! It's realism into the world of auditioning breaks your heart! It shows what people with hearts for their work, these actors, have to go through to get a job! Holding on to HOPE which is all you have. Bill Murray's cameo was right on the money! Unlike in Baseball if you're a 300 hitter you're job on a team should be fairly secure. But with acting, as these characters experience, it's a whole different ball game!This movie will definitely make the out of work actor want to throw a brick through the TV. However it also makes you see that family and friends is what life is all about!

This original, warm, funny and biting satirical comedy shows us the ups and downs of four character actors in Los Angeles. Their friendships are tested when Martin Scorsese comes to LA to cast "Capone" his new (and fictional) project. A lively, hilarious script is balanced by full, three dimensional performances from the well known faces (particularly the always brilliant David Strathairn), and there are some great cameos to boot.