Woody Allen plays a temperamental film maker fallen on hard times... As a favour, his successful ex-wife ( Téa Leoni), throws a project his way. But just at that moment, the stressed director goes psychosomatically blind. Apparently this was inspired by Allen's collaboration with cinematographer Sven Nykvist, whose eyesight was failing.
Woody's agent (Mark Rydell) convinces him to make the film anyway as he's on an absolute last chance, so the blind director takes into his confidence a Chinese interpreter hired because the camera operator speaks no English... And there is a strong impression that this is all drawn from a lifetime making pictures.
There are problems consistent with Allen's other releases at the turn of the century. Some of the dialogue is familiar (Allen says he never rewatches his films, so maybe that's why) and as a screen couple, Woody and Leoni can't overcome not even being from adjoining generations.
But this is still funny, with inspired farce and a good story. There's even some slapstick. Not everything pays off. It's a touch long and the best lines are all in the first half. But the cast is well chosen as usual, and Leoni makes an appealing and skilled comic partner. And there's plenty of insider insight to enjoy.