Writer/Director: Woody Allen Director of Photography: Sven Nykvist Nicole Oliver: Melanie Griffith Lee Simon: Kenneth Branagh Nola: Winona Ryder Robin Simon: Judy Davis Supermodel: Charlize Theron Tony Gardella: Joe Mantegna Brandon Darrow: Leonardo DiCaprio

There are 242 speaking roles [almost the equivalent of the speaking roles of Woody's past four pictures] and 5128 extras [4 times the extras count on his last film "Deconstructing Harry"!] The dialogue is wonderfully lifelike, full of unfinished sentences, characters talking over each other, and pregnant pauses. Everyone always seems to be skating on the surface, never quite managing to engage with what is most important to them.

This time, instead of Woody as the central character, we have Kenneth Branagh as Lee Simon, a journalist/travel writer with an unfinished novel and the ambition of making it big with a screenplay he just needs a little help from the right people. Simon is the Woody Allen character we have come to know and love - some of us more so than others - the neurotic, insecure guy, who lacks confidence and always seems to fall for the wrong women. Branagh plays the part beautifully.

However the treat of the film for me was the wonderful performance from Judy Davis as Robin, Lee's ex wife. Her edgy, neurotic performances have often annoyed me in the past, but in this film she is perfect, bringing a wonderful comic timing to her portrayal of an insecure woman who gradually finds both happiness and success where she least expects it, and almost against her will.

Nothing and no-one is spared in this film: television priests and their "fans"; the patrons at the opening of an art show - all "Oohs", "Aahs" and "Daahlings"; film directors who always shoot in black and white ("Celebrity" is beautifully shot in black and white!); producers who make the sequel of the re-make; and critics who hate everything until... There is the plastic surgeon; the class reunion; the book launch; the television talk show; the "star" who is excused all, because he is a star - unlike our own Jimeoin's experience at Cannes, Leonardo Dicaprio as Brandon Darrow is forgiven the most outrageous behaviour.

And the film is very funny, with a treasure trove of snappy one liners. The famous scene from "When Harry Met Sally" is given a novel twist leaving Simon to comment "... and that was only her hand!"

There are numerous good performances and as always, you can have fun trying to pick the celebrities in cameo roles - amongst others, Erica Jong (the author of the 1960s women's handbook on sex, "The Fear Of Flying") as a book party guest and Donald Trump as himself.

"Celebrity" is a funny, entertaining critique of our society and our desire for fame. I recommend it as a good way of dismissing the winter blues, at least for a couple of hours.

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