Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Of 2025Holiday Watch GuideGotham AwardsCelebrity PhotosSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Deal

  • 2008
  • R
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Meg Ryan and William H. Macy in The Deal (2008)
A failing Hollywood producer tries to con a studio into financing his film in this comedy
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
99+ Photos
SatireComedyRomance

A Hollywood producer starts with his nephew's script on Disraeli, Jewish PM in 1800s UK, and ends filming in Cape Town with a black action star. Will a movie be made? Will he score Deidre?A Hollywood producer starts with his nephew's script on Disraeli, Jewish PM in 1800s UK, and ends filming in Cape Town with a black action star. Will a movie be made? Will he score Deidre?A Hollywood producer starts with his nephew's script on Disraeli, Jewish PM in 1800s UK, and ends filming in Cape Town with a black action star. Will a movie be made? Will he score Deidre?

  • Director
    • Steven Schachter
  • Writers
    • William H. Macy
    • Steven Schachter
    • Peter Lefcourt
  • Stars
    • William H. Macy
    • Meg Ryan
    • LL Cool J
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Steven Schachter
    • Writers
      • William H. Macy
      • Steven Schachter
      • Peter Lefcourt
    • Stars
      • William H. Macy
      • Meg Ryan
      • LL Cool J
    • 41User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Deal (2008)
    Trailer 2:01
    The Deal (2008)

    Photos111

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 104
    View Poster

    Top Cast54

    Edit
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Charlie Berns
    Meg Ryan
    Meg Ryan
    • Deidre Hearn
    LL Cool J
    LL Cool J
    • Bobby Mason
    Elliott Gould
    Elliott Gould
    • Rabbi Seth Gutterman
    Jason Ritter
    Jason Ritter
    • Lionel Travitz
    Fiona Glascott
    Fiona Glascott
    • Fiona Hicks
    Sharon Raginiano
    Sharon Raginiano
    • Levi Rosenwald
    • (as Sharon Reginiano)
    John Carson
    John Carson
    • Nigel Bland
    David Hunt
    David Hunt
    • Grier Clark
    Jeremy Crutchley
    Jeremy Crutchley
    • Ian Chadwick
    Natasha Rees-Davies
    • Maya
    Aiden Lithgow
    • Skip Miller
    • (as Aidan Lithgow)
    Kate Blumberg
    Kate Blumberg
    • Linda
    Tere Morris
    Tere Morris
    • Catherine Oxenmoor
    Sean Higgs
    Sean Higgs
    • Hans Bleimer
    • (as Sean Aidan Higgs)
    Adrian Galley
    Adrian Galley
    • Andrei
    Nina Shepherd
    • Melanie Lewis
    Jeanne Neilson
    Jeanne Neilson
    • Claire Johnson
    • Director
      • Steven Schachter
    • Writers
      • William H. Macy
      • Steven Schachter
      • Peter Lefcourt
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    5.63.8K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    ichocolat

    Original !

    It would have been nice if there are other users who commented before me, so that I can just copy paste their comments and edit it, rather than having to write it myself. Haha Kidding, it would not be nice to read comments that you know you've read it somewhere else, makes it like something kinda like deja vu, no ? My point exactly. This film is original, and a refreshing watch, after being fed by the many films Hollywood churned out that more or less have the same storyline. This film is original, one has to watch it to the end (without pressing fast forward button, I might add) and felt good that the ending is good.

    I enjoyed the film very much, and even though it's not Oscar material, it's undeniably a good film. While I expect there are trolls lurking in the Internet, ready to discredit whatever good comments one make, I do not mind the least bit.

    Recommended watch, especially to those who want storyline that is different than the usual ones they usually watch on their telly.
    8steve0557

    Not Funny?!

    Not funny huh... "Benjamin Disraeli? What happened to Tony Blair?" - "...she throws like a girl!!" - "Hey guys thanks much, you're fired, great input though" - "....colonel America" - "...if you circumcised this movie it still couldn't be Jewish." - "...that's Bobbie's trailer, that's his gym and that's his mobile temple." LL Cool J in a Yarmukuh over a Du Rag: Moderately hysterical. William H. Macy's bare butt: Hysterical. Meg Ryan's choices in footwear: Priceless. Especially when compared to some other so called romantic comedies I've seen recently I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this movie. Besides, Elliott Gould can make me laugh by just reading the phone book.
    6Temprock14

    Wanted So Much To Love This Movie...But

    Saw it last night (April 5th) at Philly Film Festival. Mr. Macy, Jason Ritter and Fiona Glascott were all present and were gracious to the max.

    This film was clearly a labor of love and had a very difficult "birthing". But it never connected with me in any significant way (especially the "quasi-insider making of a movie" road it took us down).

    Macy as ALWAYS is magnificent. Meg Ryan is...well Meg Ryan and that is NOT all things bad. I think Jason Ritter has a great future in the business (and did fine work in the late and very lamented TV Show Joan of Arcadia too).

    But I thought the plot as far as I could discern it was both muddled and totally unbelievable. I know it made sense to folks more in tune with things that could go right/wrong/changes of direction in getting a film greenlighted and made.But I'm far from an insider so the references were quite lost on me for the most part.

    To me it doesn't quite make it as satire (or I didn't get it) and not funny enough to be a sustained comedy.

    But I truly hope it is just me and this film gets an audience and makes $$ for those (especially Mr. Macy) who put their heart, soul and funds into its making.
    4jville2

    Unfunny and pointless

    This could have been good if it were actually funny. Humor is obviously subjective, but based on the 6.1 rating on here, most viewers did not subjectively find this film funny either.

    There is not remotely a believable, moving, or memorable moment to save this unfunny "comedy." Macy usually provides some human warmth to his characters, but even he could not save this terrible script. Macy's relationship with Ryan is not touching, and the two have no chemistry whatsoever.

    Also, Meg Ryan, who was never good looking to begin with, now looks like a freak: gross!

    Grade: F
    5deloudelouvain

    Good actors, weak plot.

    Before watching The Deal I read some positive reviews from over excited people, thought I was going to be in for a treat, certainly with William H. Macy and Meg Ryan in the cast, two actors that I appreciate, but in the end it was just disappointing. The acting was good though, but the story is just a bit boring. And it's not the couple comedy scenes that were going to save this picture. I wished I liked it more but I didn't, I was actually glad when I saw the end credits appear, felt like a three hour movie instead of half that time.

    More like this

    In Enemy Hands
    6.0
    In Enemy Hands
    Crazy on the Outside
    5.5
    Crazy on the Outside
    Life of Crime
    5.8
    Life of Crime
    Undertaking Betty
    6.5
    Undertaking Betty
    Born Yesterday
    5.2
    Born Yesterday
    The English Teacher
    5.8
    The English Teacher
    True Believer
    6.7
    True Believer
    Leva lite
    6.3
    Leva lite
    Learning to Love Again
    5.2
    Learning to Love Again
    Fitzwilly
    6.7
    Fitzwilly
    Oleanna
    6.5
    Oleanna
    Killers
    5.5
    Killers

    Related interests

    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In addition to playing the role of Charlie Berns in the film, William H. Macy also reads the audio book upon which the film is based.
    • Goofs
      When Deidre and Charlie start arguing in the Czech studio, Lionel and the girl get up and leave - twice.
    • Quotes

      Deidre Hearn: I mean, I'd love to be like you. You have no integrity.

    • Crazy credits
      Produced with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry South Africa, who does not accept any liability for the content and does not necessarily support such content.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Compulsion (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Una Furtiva Lagrima
      Written by Gaetano Donizetti

      Performed by Sipho Fubesi

      Courtesy of Milestone Studios, Cape Town

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ16

    • How long is The Deal?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 2008 (Russia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • South Africa
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
      • Czech
    • Also known as
      • Start Shooting
    • Filming locations
      • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
    • Production companies
      • Peace Arch Entertainment Group
      • Muse Entertainment Enterprises
      • Dog Pond Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $207,405
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.