Review: Cat's Meow, The (2001)
Steve Rhodes
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
"Welcome to Hollywood, a land just off the coast of planet Earth," the narrator
tells us in the "ha ha" funny film THE CAT'S MEOW. In a lame attempt to channel
Robert Altman (GOSFORD PARK), director Peter Bogdanovich is unable to create any
believable or interesting characters, no matter how much he pumps up the
Charleston music aboard William Randolph "WR" Hearst's luxury liner masquerading
as a mere yacht.
With the notable exception of Jennifer Tilly as gossip columnist Louella
Parsons, none of the casting works. The worst is Eddie Izzard, who gives a
lifeless rendition of Charlie Chaplin. Although we are told of Chaplin's
scandalous life, Izzard turns the talented and controversial Chaplin into an
exceedingly bland person. Kirsten Dunst (CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL), one of Hollywood's
most talented young actresses, proves to be all wrong as Marion Davies, WR's
mistress. We never believe the relationship between her and Edward Herrmann as
WR. Jennifer Jason Leigh would have had the right edge and age for Marion, but
Dunst, I'm sorry to say, just comes off as awkward and silly.
The story concerns a murder aboard WR's yacht, where a large group of his
friends have come to party. Until the murder occurs at the end, little of
consequence happens. The guests all make polite small talk in public while
backstabbing each other in private. The flappers dance the night away, having a
high old time. I was glad to see someone enjoying themselves since most
audience members probably won't.
"It really is rather dull, isn't it?" Louella Parsons comments at one point.
There is no one better than a gossip columnist to reveal the unvarnished
truth.
THE CAT'S MEOW runs 1:50. It is rated PG-13 for "sexuality, a scene of violence
and brief drug use" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, April 26, 2002. In
the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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