It’s striking to consider how differently something like this would be received if released now, in 2020. These days, any creative work risks immediate condemnation and intense media scrutiny, with accusations of wrongdoing unearthed from the past to portray its creators as monstrous simply because they belong to older generations. A film exploring those themes today would likely be a profoundly disheartening experience. Fortunately, it was produced in 1999, an era when filmmakers could satirize both contemporary society and bygone eras side-by-side. This creates a humorous and touching effect while also making a subtle cultural observation that’s secondary to the entertainment value – because, at that time, movies were primarily intended for enjoyment. It's hard to envision this kind of film being made in Hollywood now; studios would feel obligated to portray everyone involved as villains. But back in 1999, it was simply a source of lighthearted distraction.

Source on TMDB