 Although Gene Siskel of the "Chicago Tribune" gave a three-star rating to the film, sensing that it was a critique of the Hollywood studio machine, he noted that it suffered from what he felt was Russell's apparent dislike and disregard for Valentino.Several critics commented on the film's wry depiction of Hollywood as an oppressive industry, such as Maslin, who felt that "the best parts of the film are those that pit Valentino against Hollywood, which both he and Mr. Russell seem to see as the biggest affront of them all.