Hollywood Ending 2002

Val Waxman, a once-prominent director in the film industry, now finds himself stuck in the mundane realm of television commercials. His latest attempt, a deodorant ad filmed in the icy expanse of Canada, ends in chaos, leaving him yearning for a substantive cinematic venture.

In an unexpected twist of fate, Val receives a proposal to direct a high-budget blockbuster set amid the bustling streets of New York City. However, this opportunity comes from his ex-wife, Ellie, and her partner, Hal, the shrewd studio head who once captured her heart.

With encouragement from his agent, Al Hack, Val reluctantly decides to take on the challenge, but just as production is set to begin, he suffers a mysterious affliction. To add to his struggles, Val is struck by sudden blindness, leaving him in disarray. Yet, with Al’s unwavering support, Val keeps his condition hidden from the cast and crew—including Hal, who remains blissfully ignorant of the turmoil within the director.

As the film shoots progress, Val starts to reconnect with Ellie and rekindle his estranged relationship with his son, Tony. On the other hand, his younger girlfriend, Lori, begins to lose interest in their romance. In a profound journey of self-discovery—both personally and professionally—Val starts to find clarity in his life. Miraculously, as his insights deepen, his sight returns, but not before he faces the creative disaster that has unfolded during his blindness.

In a striking turn of events, while the movie fails to resonate with American audiences, it unexpectedly captures the interest of the French, who invite Val to helm one of their films. With a renewed bond with Ellie, Val joyfully declares, > “Thank God the French exist,” reflecting on the cosmos’ strange coincidences and his own fortuitous situation.