Rating: 
Summary: Mature viewer-BWG in Ga.
Review: I've seen this wonderfully layered movie many times, beginning with the first theater release in 1958. Though it's been at least 15 or 20 years since I saw it without interruption, I was able to see character traits within Maggie and Brick that I'd never noticed before. All the actors in this Tennessee Williams play give outstanding performances with the gut-wrenching dialogue and superb direction of Richard Brooks. The bottom line is that we all want to be loved and cared for, regardless of material possessions. I don't think I ever fully understood the Brick character so well as I did today. Maggie becomes his hero in a taut, satisfying movie ending...and Big Daddy's character is the one person on whom the play surrounds. I would have loved to see the original Broadway play, directed by Elia Kazan.
Rating:
Summary: Raw Emotion on Screen
Review: 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is based on Tennessee William's play of the same name. I do shamefully admit that I have not read or seen the play but I do intend to. It is about the trials and tribulations of a Southern family who learn that the patriarch, Big Daddy, played brilliantly by Burl Ives, is dying and how they want to stake their claim on the inheritance he will give. It concentrates on the problems in the marriage between Brick(Paul Newman:those EYES!) and Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor), the favouritism towards Brick, and Brick's alcoholism. Paul Newman & Elizabeth Taylor gave terrific performances in this film. They are the kind of actors who co-exist perfectly and I wished they could have done more films. This is a fantastic film. Don't miss out.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Piece of Filmmaking!!!
Review: I don't think there is one bad thing I could say about "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof"! I love everything about it! The film revolves around a wealthy family in the south and how they are coping with the impending death of "Big Daddy," the family patriarch. The two main characters are Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor) and Brick (Paul Newman). Maggie and Brick's marriage is on the rocks because of demons in the past. Brick, who has a drinking problem has just recently broken his leg while trying to run hurtles and is confined to the big house while the family awaits Big Daddy's return from a special clinic. At first, the family in convinced that Big Daddy will be fine and that there's nothing to be worried about, but soon the truth (in everyone's lives) starts to come out and the family is turned upside down. Each of the cast members gave incredible performances in this film. You can't help but get caught up in the interesting lives of this large southern family. I would highly recommend this film to anyone, period. It's one of the classics that everyone should watch at least once in your life! You won't be disappointed!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Paul Newman is sooo [gorgeous]!
Review: I glanced through the other reviews for this movie, and everyone seemed to be raving about the powerful emotions and all that. I haven't read the play yet, so maybe that will help me appreciate the movie more. I mean, it's great and all, I just don't see what other people who are more familiar with Mr. Williams' work see.
However, Paul Newman was sooo hot when he was younger. Josh Hartnett ain't got nothing on him!
Even though they didn't get along much in the film, I thought Liz and Paul looked good together...two of the best looking actors of that time! (Of course, Paul and Joanne Woodward are adorable together!)
Anyways, sorry for the rambling. I guess it isn't as great of a review as the others. I just wanted to say I liked the movie, and I LOVE Paul Newman.
Rating:
Summary: "You know what I'm contemplatin'? Pleasure."
Review: This is a powerful film full of great acting, built on the play of one of our greatest writers: Tennessee Williams. Even if you're not from the South and it's long past the 50's, the territory he covers is still relevant: old resentments between parent and child, between husband and wife, a woman's role, the feelings that surface when someone close is about to die, insecurity, feelings of worthlessness, greed, failed dreams, new understandings. Yet we're not that far from the 50's when patriarchy was stronger, where there was a distinct double standard and only the men in the family were privy to important decisions--where women were sometimes measured by their ability to produce children, and where so many feelings were repressed and left unsaid. This film works despite its apparent diversion from Williams' original play in avoiding certain sexual taboos. When watching it I could not understand the problem between Maggie and Brick and Skipper, a plot twist that takes a while to surface and isn't quite resolved, but now that I've read a few reviews here the meaning is plain. It's just another element of depth in an already deep story. Burl Ives as Big Daddy puts on a fabulous performance as does Judith Anderson as Big Momma and Elizabeth Taylor as a beautiful Maggie. The names, like the characters, are slightly exaggerated for effect--an effect that works. The film has so many wonderful lines, it's a pleasure just listening to the words--especially when delivered by such fine actors. A small sampling: Big Daddy to alcoholic son Brick: "Truth is dreams that don't come true and nobody prints your name in the paper 'til you die." Brick to Big Daddy (talking about Big Momma in a basement full of European artifacts): "You gave her things, Papa, not love." Maggie (who's scared of losing Big Daddy's inheritance): "Outside of hunger, the first thing I remember is shame." Big Daddy: "We're through with lies and liars in this house. Lock the door!" And so some understandings some to pass. The film starts slowly but crescendos into a powerful ending. I recommend this film with great pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Maggie the Cat
Review: This movie is wonderful! Elizabeth Taylor is stunning as Maggie, the cat, and Paul Newman as Brick is great. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a great movie that at times will leave you laughing. Maggie loves Brick, but Brick cant forgive Maggie for something that happened in the past. Brick confines himself to the bedroom in his pajamas and always with booze in his glass. He's cold to the loving and sexy Maggie but she wont give up on them. Meanwhile Brick's father Big Daddy comes home from the hospital with a new leash on life so he thinks, and Brick's brother and his family are itching to get their hands on Big Daddy's fortune. This movie is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful looking and moving.
Review: One can always be sure to find something moving in any of Tennesee Williams' plays. There are several places in this film where the sheer intensity of feeling, well conducted, well timed, make up for all flaws one could find in it. The movie had an "scandalous" appeal to audiences in 1958: A man refuses to go to bed with his wife, and accordingly she feels like a cat on a hot tin roof! The need to pass censure harmed the film, provinding a happy end and a very confused plot just at the core: we are left without understanding Paul Newman's character, what happened between Maggie and Skipper and why Skipper killed himself. Of course, everything is clearer in the play. Another flaw in my view is the fact that some characters and situations look more like caricatures than sound real persons. Too much fuss is made with the children. And the occasion shouldn't be missed to see Liz Taylor beautiful and sensual, more than ever. Beauty was never exactly Mrs. Taylor strongest asset. She was young and pretty then, and very appealing. And in this particular movie, the camera loves her. As to Paul Newman, he was too handsome to play realisticaly his part. Granted, his acting his excellent, probably unsurpassable, what is otherwordly are his good looks -the same could be said about Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar named Desire". Newman doesn't match physically with Burl Ives as son and father, although he does in dramatic intesity, for example in the excellent discussion they have under the rain, when the son tells the father that the latter is going to die of cancer and everyone else has been lying to him.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN
Review: I had just seen this movie for the first time, and I probably played it 8 times before I had to take it back to the video store. This movie is a story about love and "so-called" betrayal. It leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens in the end. It's a story that you'll want to see over and over again. Paul Newman is gorgeous in this movie! Elizabeth Taylor portrays so much class and elegance. I walked away wanting to be just like her. You have to see this movie. It actually has a plot that you can't figure out in the first 5 minutes of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Maggie the Cat
Review: Usually when you read the book (or in this case, play) before you watch the movie, you are sorely disappointed in the movie. But, in this case, I thought the movie outshown the play by a long shot. The play leaves the reader at a loss. It almost seemed like the play did not have a complete thought. But when viewing the movie, it is almost as if the movie filled in the missing parts of the book. The movie was extremely good and it is one of those movies you will watch again and again. Although the movie started off a little slow, it ended superbly. Tennesee Williams had a very truthful view of the disfunctional family in a time when the perfect family was the only thing seen on television. He was honest and open. Although the movie leaves out a few things Tennessee Williams probably thought was important to the play, the movie really complimented the play. I recommend you read the play first and then see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: FAN THE FLAMES!
Review: CENSORSHIP reigned supreme when this daring and difinitive version of the Williams play hit the big screen, and that's why this IS the landmark version! It's totally unnecessary to spoon-feed an audience - if you 'don't get it' - move on and watch something from 1970 or was it slightly earlier when it all flew out of the window and imagination died. ELIZABETH TAYLOR? Got to hand it to her - she's magnificent as Maggie [a true Southern belle!], and knows just how to handle the impaired Paul Newman - also stellar as the doubting Brick. The Young viewier must always bear in mind that during those times artistic expression was severely restricted - you had to find other ways to convey 'the message' instead of being graphic. The newer versions are interesting - but this one set the ground rules - subtle and straight to the point! Odd note, even back then - this movie was 'age restricted'. [Also with Burl Ives as the difinitive 'Big Daddy' with doyenne of American Theatre - Judith Anderson as'Big Mama']
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