Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- misanthropic
- abrasive
- cynical
- adult film night
- independent cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that strong lead performances, especially Sean Penn's, were undermined by a meandering, overly verbose adaptation whose cynicism could feel dated.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eddie, Mickey, Phil, and Artie navigate studio work, celebrity culture, drugs, and collapsing personal relationships in Hollywood.
Donna is presented as a gift to Eddie and Mickey, while Bonnie is similarly treated as an object for Phil.
The adaptation foregrounds lengthy, abrasive exchanges among Hollywood players whose cynicism and resentment repeatedly surface through conversation.
The film derives dark humor from drug-fueled behavior, casual cruelty, and the characters' inability to form healthy bonds.
Films like Hurlyburly, and why
Swimming with Sharks
cynical Hollywood milieu, abrasive male friendships, and darkly comic ensemble drama
The Player
misanthropic show-business satire centered on emotionally damaged industry insiders
Glengarry Glen Ross
verbose character conflict, corrosive ambition, and morally compromised ensemble relationships
Shampoo
drug-fueled interpersonal volatility and bleakly comic portrait of damaged adults
Movie Details
- Director
- Anthony Drazan
- Release Date
- 1998-12-25
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (108)
Cast
- Sean Penn
- Kevin Spacey
- Robin Wright
- Chazz Palminteri
- Garry Shandling
- Anna Paquin
- Meg Ryan
- Gianna Palminteri
- David Fabrizio
- Kenny Vance
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hurlyburly about?
- A volatile group of Hollywood insiders turns professional cynicism, addiction, and casual cruelty into an intimate social catastrophe.
- What is Hurlyburly like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hurlyburly as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Hurlyburly violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Hurlyburly as mild.
- What did critics think of Hurlyburly?
- Critics broadly agreed that strong lead performances, especially Sean Penn's, were undermined by a meandering, overly verbose adaptation whose cynicism could feel dated.
- Which films are like Hurlyburly?
- Films with a similar feel include Swimming with Sharks, The Player, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Shampoo.
- How long is Hurlyburly?
- Hurlyburly runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hurlyburly?
- In United States, Hurlyburly streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
