THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS! Set in New York's literary world, Shortcut To Happiness is a contemporary re-telling of the classic story ''The Devil and Daniel Webster'' featuring an all-star cast that includes Academy Award® Nominees* Alec Baldwin (The Departed) and Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters), Academy Award® Winner** Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Heartbreakers), Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) and Darrell Hammond (SNL) in one of the most storied film productions ever committed to celluloid ''that has to be seen to be believed'' (New York Post). Jabez Stone (Baldwin), a down on his luck writer, sells his soul to the devil (Love-Hewitt) in exchange for fame and fortune. But when things don t turn out as planned, Stone ultimately decides that he wants his old life again and enlists the help of Daniel Webster (Hopkins) in order to win his soul back from Satan, herself! *2003, Supporting Actor, The Cooler; 1989, Supporting Actor, Driving Miss Daisy **1991, Actor, The Silence of the Lambs SPECIAL FEATURES: Original Theatrical Trailer
A**Y
Based on a classic story and almost seems like a big-budget film !
This is a modern version of the old story " The Devil and Daniel Webster". In brief, Jabez Stone is a struggling writer ( instead of farmer ) and the devil comes disguised as a crafty, ruthless female, but the basic elements are all there----in addition to some new ones that depict, quite compellingly, how making a deal with the devil undermined his conscience and turned him into a person he never wanted to be.Just as in the original story, Daniel Webster takes his case, at enormous risk, in order to redeem Jabez Stone's soul. Minor details have been changed, but they really serve to enhance the story, so the plot is a real winner.It does not come from a big studio, unfortunately, but the performances are excellent and totally befitting of a more expensive movie.The allure of temptation and the unexpected consequences of self-serving priorities are on full display here, and make a vivid, enduring impression.
E**G
An angry Jennifer Love Hewett
The film starts out by capturing your attention. It's a wonderful movie. Baldwin is writing an amusing book . He meets his writer friends , who are all trying to make it as authors,at a restaurant. The story is very good. You have an angry devil, Jennifer Love Hewett, who needs to eat something. Perhaps this is why she is so angry. The ending is a little slow. In fact it goes on way too long.
Y**P
Soul Food
Despite the well-worn premise of the story, Shortcut to Happiness is a fresh, interesting look at an old dilemma. The scenes are well laid out, the acting all around is superb, the tension palpable. Most importantly, the message delivered is clear. Well worth watching.
J**2
Love this campy version if Faust
Waited so long for this movie. It emphasizes the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”
A**R
A good twist to an old story.
A good twist to an old story. Very entertaining.
L**.
Grwat
Husband happy finally got this movies very good
J**A
Tremendously Entertaining and Thought Provoking.
Superlative writing and an outstanding cast mark Shortcut to Happiness as one of the best and most entertaining films I've seen in quite some time. The story of The Devil and Daniel Webster is a familiar one, but the execution of this version is dynamic on every level. What writer does not suffer the angst of witnessing the most incompetent achieve outrageous success, while his own cherished manuscripts might lie gathering dust on a shelf?What if Hell's most attractive demon offered you that success, but it turned out to be vacuous and meaningless as society honored you for any piece of dreck that you churned out? Could it be any worse than witnessing the success of other incompetents as genuine talents around you fail?There's a lot to examine here, and I found myself thinking about Shortcut to Happiness for days after watching it! Excellent film! (Pray for a Region 1 version or find it on cable.)
A**R
Well worth the watch
Good film Shame it didn't do well at the box office but can enjoy on DVD. Certain parts of this film I can relate to. Love the last 15 minutes so touching in that the most simplest thing in life are free and you should be happy with what you have.
**L
jennifer love hewitt
not a great film. devil and daniel webster. female devil.. skinny also.
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