Celebrity (1998)

Caught in the throbbing heartbeat of New York City, Lee Simon, a twice-published novelist turned disgruntled travel writer, finds himself on the precipice of existential despair. After sixteen years of marriage, he shocks his wife, Robin - a dedicated English teacher wrestling with her own Catholic guilt and sexual inhibitions - with a sudden demand for divorce. This pivotal decision, ignited by a sobering high school reunion, leads him into a whirlpool of self-reinvention. Trading the monotony of travel articles for the glitz and glamour of an entertainment magazine journalist, Lee finds himself plunged into a world of celebrities and supermodels, a landscape teeming with sexual opportunities and potential screenplay buyers. His ambitious career pivot becomes a double-edged sword - a platform to peddle his screenwriting talents, a stepping stone towards his long-anticipated third novel, and a dangerous playground of temptation. As Lee navigates this intoxicating realm, he becomes entangled with Bonnie, a savvy publishing editor who believes in his novel-writing prowess. Her faith in his maturity sparks a flicker of hope for his literary aspirations. Yet, Lee's quest for success is marred by a tangled love life and the messiness of his unfinished screenplay. Concurrently, the freshly divorced Robin retreats to a Catholic sanctuary to nurse her wounds. Supported by her loyal friends Jan and Cheryl, she grapples with her uncertain future, convinced that returning to teaching offers no solution. Unexpectedly, a chance encounter with the charismatic television producer Tony Gardella catapults her into the limelight. Hired as a production assistant, she too treads her own path through the thicket of fame. As Lee and Robin journey their separate ways, one towards the hollow allure of celebrity, the other away from it, they grapple with their aspirations, personal growth, and the elusive pursuit of genuine happiness. Their diverging paths bear the question: who will find the satisfaction that their marriage lacked, and at what cost? Will Lee mature beyond using women as mere stepping stones, and can Robin truly rebuild her life amidst the glamour she stumbles upon? The answers lie within the captivating narrative of 'Celebrity'.

Celebrity is a comedy movie featuring Michael Lerner and directed by Woody Allen.

Celebrity is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on DIRECTV, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

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