Anything Else MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Jerry Falk (Jason Briggs), a struggling comedy writer in New York City, tries to please everybody in this comedy. His agent (Danny DeVito) ineptly manages his career, but Jerry wont fire him. His live-in girlfriend, Amanda (Christina Ricci), cantankerously abuses him by being unfaithful, but he wont leave her. Jerry has heard the phrase that life is like anything else, but he finds that his really is not. Jerry has been seeing a psychoanalyst for many years but without getting any counsel on how to more effectively live his life. Jerry has been married and divorced. At 21 years old, his life seems bleak. Then, into his life walks David Dobel (Woody Allen), who obsesses about the cruelties of Nazi Germany upon the Jewish people. Being Jews, Jerry and Dobel have a camaraderie that develops into a mentoring friendship. Dobel honestly assesses Jerrys poor life decisions. Together they embark on a more purposeful strategy of living. The plans change when Dobel encounters two prejudiced cops.

Anything Else is a picture of what life is like to those who have good intentions but nothing solid on which to rely. Jerry attempts to treat others the way that he would want to be treated, and he patiently forgives those who wronged him. Jerry vacillates between his literary ambitions and his sexual desires, and he finds himself addicted to Amandas free-spirited sexuality. Dobel gives of his time and insight to help Jerry face the cruelty of all those who have been abusing his friendship. The film addresses the injustice of anti-Semites. Potential viewers should be alerted to the films several sexual encounters and frank sexual discussions; Dobel, Jerry and Amanda speak about self gratification and orgasms. All of the characters repeatedly speak Gods name in vain. Dobel has a violent side that the film describes verbally but only shows once. Dobel attacks others and destroys material objects. The message of the film, you can only depend upon yourself, finds frequent expression. The world view of the film is atheistic. Preview does not recommend Anything Else.

Preview Reviewer: Blaine Butcher
Distributor: Dreamworks