Want a look at Alec Baldwin's only directorial effort? SHORTCUT TO HAPPINESS hits Blu-ray

Yes, it was made 16 years ago and took four of those years to even get a cable television release, and though Alec Baldwin, whose first and only effort as director SHORTCUT TO HAPPINESS is, had his name removed from the credits and replaced by the very occasionally used nom de plume Harry Kirkpatrick, it turns out that this oddball movie is not nearly as "train-wreck" bad as a certain New York Post critic insisted at the time of its release.

The movie is a modern-day retelling of the famous sell-your-soul-to-the-you-know-who tale, The Devil and Daniel Webster, but unfortunately the role of the Devil was given to an actress -- Jennifer Love Hewitt (at left) -- who simply did not have the charisma, versatility or talent to do it justice. She's not awful, mind you (just as this movie is not), but she is noticeably lacking enough to make you begin thinking of how much better any number of other actresses might have been in this role (Charlize Theron comes immediately to mind), even as you watch the movie unfold.

The leading role is essayed by Mr. Baldwin (above), generally an OK actor, as he is again here. As director, from what we can tell by this new Blu-ray  -- via a version of the film said to have been tampered with by others -- Baldwin proves only adequate. His pacing is a little slow, and most of the creative choices seem by-the-book. But, hey, this is certainly not damning. The original story was a good one, as it remains here, in a retelling that has a getting-nowhere novelist selling his soul for, yes, "success."

The movie's ace-in-the-hole is an Oscar-winning actor who often demonstrates that "ace" at work: Anthony Hopkins (above), playing a certain Daniel Webster, here a noted publisher to whom Baldwin's character comes for advice and gets some -- though it's not quite what he wanted.

And, yes, Shortcut to Happiness does offer, as in the original story, quite the courtroom scene late in the game, with a jury made up of literary "unforgettables."

One of the pleasures of viewing this 16-year-old film lies in its supporting cast, which includes a good Dan Aykroyd (at right), playing a sort-of friend and would-be novelist, and a typically-but-appropriately used Kim Cattrall (below, right) as high-rolling literary agent.

Also seen are a very young Amy Poehler (lovely in a non-comedic role) and Bobby Cannavale (noticeable in a single scene as a nasty-then-befuddled cop).

In all, Shortcut to Happiness offers a mildly diverting 106 minutes made up of mostly the expected, with maybe a tiny surprise or two tossed in to keep us awake. The time passes in relative enjoyment, and the result, while entertaining, was evidently enough -- click here and keep scrolling down to read more about the supposed trials and tribulations of finally getting the movie released -- to keep Mr. Baldwin away from the director's chair for what looks like the remainder of his career.

Distributed here in the USA by MVD Entertainment Group, the Blu-ray, as well as the plain-old-DVD version, hit the street this past Tuesday, July 16 -- for purchase and (I would  hope) rental, too.