Rating: 
Summary: One Account of the Cerebrities in the Jazz Age (with a Gun)
Review: "The Cat's Meow" is purely imaginary accounts on what really happened on the ship owned by William Randolph Hearst, powerful newspaper mogul (now mostly remembered as the inspiration of Orson Wells' "Citizen Kane"). Don't expect Agatha Cristie-like mystry, though -- the film is about these characters in the lavish party held on the ship, and director Peter Bogdanovich is more interested in the frivolous atmosphere of the time than in the plot.In was in November, 1924, in the middle of the Jazz Age. Hollywood celebrities arrive at Hearst's ship to have a good time. They are -- Charles Chaplin, Marion Davies (actress and Hearst's mistress), Thomas Ince (movie producer who desperately needs jobs), Elinor Glyn (bestselling author, and best known for writing Clara Bow film "It"), Louella Parsons (later known as the 'writer' for Hearst's paper), and Margaret Livingston (actress and Ince's mistress). But before the ship arrives at San Diego, something terrible happened (so the film claims) to one of them. "The Cat's Meow" is fictional accounts of the 'scandal,' but its own version of the story is, I am afraid, too incredible. Moreover, in order to fully enjoy the film, you have to know some historical backgrounds about these people, and that is not appealing to general audience. (You also remember that director Bogdanovich's career started as a film critic.) The romantic part of the story, or the entangled relations between Hearst, Chaplin, and Davies, is interesting, but the rest of the characters seems practically left out in the story. I love Kirsten Dunst who plays Marion Davies, but here it is a trouble to me. The real Marion Davies was about 27 years old then, and Kirstin Dunst does NOT look like a 27-year-old woman. She is brilliant in modern setting (see "Bring it on," "Spider-Man" and even "Drop Dead Gorgeous"), but she now looks quite uncomfortable. Put Edward Herrmann (as Hearst) beside her, and he looks more like a grandfather to her. Sorry to say this, but Ashley Judd or Charlize Theron would be much more convincing Marion. The film's best (and most surprising) role is Eddie Izzard as Chaplin. The casting was a gamble for the director, but it works. He is a great comic, as you know, but now he gives emotional depth to Chaplin who is clearly in trouble (he was then soon to be married second time). Robert Downey Jr, did Chaplin once (and he was great, too), but Eddie Izzzard's portait is more realistic when he describes the pains of the man. The film's greatest virtue is probably its beautiful photography and gorgeous costumes. The crew did a great job, the photographer Bruno Delbonnel ("Amelie") in particular. Its happy-go-easy jazz music is fun to hear, the riduculously fluffy hats are fun to see, and the witty dialogues are also going to make you grin. Probably, Peter Bogdanovich was too meticulous in re-creating the atmosphere of the age (even Chaplin's Japanese driver Takano is not forgotten). But I need the central story which has the power to draw us into the world he shows. It's all jazz, I know, and it's fun to see, but there should be more to it. Some of the characters are also the subject of another film "RKO 281 -- The Battle Over Citizen Kane" starring John Malkovich. Just in case if you're interested in film history.
Rating: 
Summary: "Cat's Meow" is the cat's pajamas
Review: "Whodunnit?" This movie tries to answer that -- in 1924, a star-studded boat trip went wrong when someone got shot, and the truth of it was never investigated. This is one thing that might have happened. The actors appear to be enjoying themselves romping through Roaring 20s decadence, but rise to the occasion when genuine acting is called for. It's like an Agatha Christie murder mystery, except no Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. A bunch of Hollywood glitterati arrive at a boat belonging to William Randolph Hearst, a rather obnoxious Hollywood mogul. Also on the boat is Marion Davies, Hearst's actress mistress, who is being actively pursued by Charlie Chaplin (who recently got his sixteen-year-old costar pregnant), a cool-and-calm eccentric novelist Elinor Glyn, irritating columnist Louella Parsons, fading superproducer Thomas Ince and his frustrated girlfriend, and a slew of others. Rumors fly about Marion and Charlie's suspected affair, and though Hearst doesn't want to believe it, the clues pile up -- with the assistance of Ince, who wants Hearst to be his business partner. A single gunshot threatens all of them... This is one of the movies that probably won't appeal to the average viewer, simply because a lot of the people in it, with a few exceptions like Chaplin and Davies, are not now remembered clearly. But if viewers can shut off their "hey, I don't know who that was" signals, then they will find a sort of whodunnit without the detective, a juicy soap wrapped up in a mystery wrapped up in a "Hollywood what-if" tale. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the last part is a bit anticlimactic and the buildup is rather insubstantial -- the biggest buildup is Hearst tearing through the boat in search of Chaplin. Kirsten Dunst shines brightly as Marion Davies, showing both a deeply conflicted young woman and a flirty party girl. She's never been better, even if she does wear a giant butterfly on her head. (Weird headpieces are a constant in this movie -- watch for Tilly's birdcage) Cary Elwes of "Princess Bride" returns as a desperate man who will go the extra mile to revive his career. Edward Herrmann plays a very intriguing Hearst, who is both obnoxious and tender, jealous and angry, controlling and generous. Eddie Izzard plays an insincere predator as Chaplin, who cares more about the conquest than about the woman; Joanna Lumley is rather underused, but she imbues all her scenes with a hilarious dry wit; Jennifer Tilly plays an irritating flibbertigibbet who has an unexpected cunning streak. The dialogue is fast, dry and enjoyable -- one of my favorite lines was "Hollywood, a land just off the coast of the planet Earth." There's some sexual content (nothing too graphic) and a fair amount of profanity; teens who like Kirsten Dunst particularly will enjoy this, but younger kids will be bored silly. This is not the movie that will appeal to the bubble-brained. But anyone who likes witty dialogue, sparkling costumes, a well-thought-out plotline and the shivering thrill of wondering if this was how it happened will think "Cat's Meow" is the cat's pajamas.
Rating:
Summary: One Account of the Cerebrities in the Jazz Age (with a Gun)
Review: "The Cat's Meow" is purely imaginary accounts on what really happened on the ship owned by William Randolph Hearst, powerful newspaper mogul (now mostly remembered as the inspiration of Orson Wells' "Citizen Kane"). Don't expect Agatha Cristie-like mystry, though -- the film is about these characters in the lavish party held on the ship, and director Peter Bogdanovich is more interested in the frivolous atmosphere of the time than in the plot. In was in November, 1924, in the middle of the Jazz Age. Hollywood celebrities arrive at Hearst's ship to have a good time. They are -- Charles Chaplin, Marion Davies (actress and Hearst's mistress), Thomas Ince (movie producer who desperately needs jobs), Elinor Glyn (bestselling author, and best known for writing Clara Bow film "It"), Louella Parsons (later known as the 'writer' for Hearst's paper), and Margaret Livingston (actress and Ince's mistress). But before the ship arrives at San Diego, something terrible happened (so the film claims) to one of them. "The Cat's Meow" is fictional accounts of the 'scandal,' but its own version of the story is, I am afraid, too incredible. Moreover, in order to fully enjoy the film, you have to know some historical backgrounds about these people, and that is not appealing to general audience. (You also remember that director Bogdanovich's career started as a film critic.) The romantic part of the story, or the entangled relations between Hearst, Chaplin, and Davies, is interesting, but the rest of the characters seems practically left out in the story. I love Kirsten Dunst who plays Marion Davies, but here it is a trouble to me. The real Marion Davies was about 27 years old then, and Kirstin Dunst does NOT look like a 27-year-old woman. She is brilliant in modern setting (see "Bring it on," "Spider-Man" and even "Drop Dead Gorgeous"), but she now looks quite uncomfortable. Put Edward Herrmann (as Hearst) beside her, and he looks more like a grandfather to her. Sorry to say this, but Ashley Judd or Charlize Theron would be much more convincing Marion. The film's best (and most surprising) role is Eddie Izzard as Chaplin. The casting was a gamble for the director, but it works. He is a great comic, as you know, but now he gives emotional depth to Chaplin who is clearly in trouble (he was then soon to be married second time). Robert Downey Jr, did Chaplin once (and he was great, too), but Eddie Izzzard's portait is more realistic when he describes the pains of the man. The film's greatest virtue is probably its beautiful photography and gorgeous costumes. The crew did a great job, the photographer Bruno Delbonnel ("Amelie") in particular. Its happy-go-easy jazz music is fun to hear, the riduculously fluffy hats are fun to see, and the witty dialogues are also going to make you grin. Probably, Peter Bogdanovich was too meticulous in re-creating the atmosphere of the age (even Chaplin's Japanese driver Takano is not forgotten). But I need the central story which has the power to draw us into the world he shows. It's all jazz, I know, and it's fun to see, but there should be more to it. Some of the characters are also the subject of another film "RKO 281 -- The Battle Over Citizen Kane" starring John Malkovich. Just in case if you're interested in film history.
Rating:
Summary: Long-Buried Hollywood Love Triangle and Murder Mystery
Review: Anyone who has taken an introductory film class knows Thomas Ince was a pioneer filmmaker who could never live out of the shadow of his contemporaries, D.W. Griffith. Part of this has to do with talent, and part had to do with his fast lifestyle. This film barely touches on either aspect, but it does venture forth a theory on how he died in November 1924. One-time wunderkind director Peter Bogdanovich has made an intriguing historical fiction by surrounding Ince with a gallery of larger-than-life characters aboard publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst's yacht. The occasion is Ince's birthday party, and the story ends with his death. How his death occurred is a matter of speculation, but Bogdanovich, along with screenwriter Steve Peros, has fashioned a period murder mystery focused on the volatile love triangle of Hearst, his mistress Marion Davies and Charlie Chaplin. According to this version, Chaplin is constantly on the make for the alluring Davies, and Ince is more than willing to spy on them for Hearst so that the mogul will fund his failing movie-producing career. Chaplin finally makes his conquest after a huge drug-and-sex orgy, Hearst finds out and then a series of tragic consequences occur.
At first, Kirsten Dunst seems an odd choice for the vivacious Davies, as the actress is too young to be a credible magnet for two such powerful men (though ironically, Chaplin preferred the company of much younger women). But she actually grows in the film until she finally captures the world-weariness of her character in the final scenes. Edward Herrmann plays Hearst like he played FDR, full of bombast but this time, with a decided sadness and made all the more pathetic by the vast age difference between his character and Davies. British comedian Eddie Izzard makes a credible Chaplin, though he seems relatively constrained by the role, as does Cary Elwes who plays Ince with just enough desperation to make his fate seem less than criminal. Out of "Ab Fab" mode, Joanna Lumley is quite effective as writer Elinor Glyn, who narrates the story, but Jennifer Tilly is grating as the clinging gossip columnist Louella Parsons, the only one to benefit from the scandal and become a Hollywood power doyenne for thirty years. It's an interesting story told competently but not all that memorably, but this one is definitely up Bogdanovich's alley as he enjoys Hollywood history like no other filmmaker.
Rating:
Summary: Scandalous Story with Death as Destination...
Review: Cat's Meow is based on events that took place one November weekend in 1924 when the financial mogul William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann) invited a group of celebrities to his yacht. The occasion was to celebrate the birthday of the film producer Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes). Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard) was also among the invitees. There were also some rumors prior to the trip that Chaplin fancied the actress Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst) who was Hearst's beloved girlfriend. The birthday cruise became an envious love triangle which has death as its destination.
Peter Bogdanovich tells this particular Hollywood scandal in a convincing manner as the story is focused on the love triangle between Hearst, Davies, and Chaplin. The other characters add a lot of intrigue and color to the film as they all have their own motives for being on the yacht. The cast performances are solid and the mise-en-scene elevates the cinematic experience. However, the film never reaches it full potential as similar stories have done in the past where a murder is committed in a remote location. This hurt the integrity of the overall cinematic experience, but the film still offers the audience a good cinematic experience.
Rating: 
Summary: The Cat's Meow
Review: Eddie Izzard in one of his best performances. This is an incredible film, that deserves all the attention it can get.
Rating:
Summary: The Cat Did It
Review: Film historian and movie director Peter Bogdanovich has crafted an instant classic from an obscure play to produce 2001's "The Cat's Meow". Charlie Chaplin, William Randolph Hearst, and his mistress Marion Davies(almost unknown today) are the characters boarding Hearst's yacht Oneida for a fateful 1924 cruise. Fading movie producer Thomas Ince tags along to entice Hearst to bank-roll his sagging career. More than Ince's career is about to go underwater. "The Cat's Meow" surrounds real people and probable events, with wild parties, grand dinners, and a clandestine murder on the menu. Bogdanovich is picture-perfect, lovingly recreating a 1920's Hollywood scandal that is still unsolved. Kirsten Dunst is magnetic as Davies, but it's Jennifer Tilly who steals the show as bouncy, clueless Louella Parsons. This new DVD features a trailer, a Chaplin short, and commentary by world-weary Bogdanovich. Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino appear in an actual Hollywood news-reel. As history has noted, the Hollywood legacy is shrouded in decline. Sadly, the quality of this news-reel has suffered the same fate.
Rating:
Summary: "Othello in Tinseltown"
Review: For at least the first hour, this film is oddly inert, even boring. This is so despite an incessant forced vivacity owing to the desperate overacting of most of the principal players. What we are watching is simply an old Hollywood gossip item here fleshed out (or rather bloated)into an initially reductive, merely surfacy version of Shakespeare's "Othello." Hearst is the jealous Moor, Davies the winning Desdemona, the neglected Ince (even desiring a particular job in Hearst's gift!)the informer Iago, and Chaplin the lascivious Cassio. The unoriginal script and the absence of memorable dialogue are here responsible for the dullness even more than the claustrophobic setting filled with scenery chewers or the too calculated direction.
Then, surprisingly, the principal characters (even Lolly Parsons!) become more than surfaces, and in the cases of Hearst and Davies, even fully rounded enough to be genuinely moving. This movie splits in two: an undistinguished first half is joined to an elegant, pretty wonderful second. It's unfortunate the skills of the latter half are not in evidence throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Freewheeling 20's on a very static boat.
Review: Four fifths of my hat is off to Mr. Bogdonovitch. Casting, dialogue, costumes, story were all just about perfect. I didn't give it five stars because the set was curiously inert. Despite the importance of the setting, you don't get the sense it is taking place on a boat at sea. It needed more than just some backgrounds of blue water. Where was the wind? Some Titanic style overheads of the boat moving along while people interact on deck would have been a big help. Didn't they have the money to take the yacht out and get a helicopter? I'd like to hear Mr. Bogdonavitch's answer.
Rating:
Summary: Sounds Good!
Review: I can't wait to see this movie! I've been a huge fan of Kirsten Dunst ever since she was in Little Women, a fan of Cary Elwes since Robin Hood: Men in Tights and The Princess Bride, and a fan of Edward Herman since I first saw the Gilmore Girls! Finally someone put all of them together! As of today, I only have to wait 11 more days until its opening!
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