I'll watch just about anything with Kirsten Dunst in it. And I've forgiven Edward Herrman any number of cinematic blunders, for the sake of his superbly comedic FDR in Annie. Throw in Cary Elwes, and Jennifer Tilly; spice it with Joanna Lumley and Eddie Izzard—how could you go wrong?
Well, to start with, the story of The Cat's Meow wanders aimlessly, never quite focusing on any character. William Randolph Hearst's affair with actress Marion Davies was an open secret in Hollywood. Charlie Chaplain's skirt-chasing was also well-known. And all we truly know about the death of Thomas Ince was that it followed several days after his presence on Hearst's yacht, the Oneida.
This movie attempts to explain the events that led to Ince's death by presenting Ince as a man desperate to regain power in Hollywood. Cary Elwes' Ince is the strongest portrait in the film; he is conniving, hypocritical and sleazy. As a result, we don't really care when Hearst (Herrman), his jealousy enraged by Ince's carefully-built innuendos about Davies and Chaplain, mistakes him for Chaplain (Izzard), and shoots Ince in the middle of the night.
I would love to say that Louella Parsons or Eleanor Glyn had a significant role in the tale, since only rumor places either of them on the yacht during the days that led up to Ince's death. Unfortunately, Tilly's Parsons is a loud-mouthed climber, scatter-brained and spineless (until she chances upon the secret of her life, and parlays it into a lifetime contract with the Hearst papers). Lumley as Glyn is just as close-mouthed and supercilious as was Glyn in real life. Her role, however, is reduced to that of narrator.
Aside from Elwes, the movie is only redeemed (to the small extent that it is) by Dunst as Marion Davies. This is a nuanced role; we feel her many reasons for staying with the powerful media magnate, and also her attraction to a charismatic Chaplain. What a pity Izzard's Chaplain is flat, unappealing. It undercuts Dunst's portrayal; there is no tension here, because we can't believe Davies would trade even the pathetic Hearst (as Herrman plays him) for this amoral weasel.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
DrPat, you are a learned and knowledgable fella, but how, sir, how can you fail to see the wonder inherent in this beautiful motion flick?? It made my Favourite Flicks Of 2004 (even though it's 2001, but wasn't granted a theatrical release til last year) on account of how wonderful it is.
And what of Kirsten's black gloves?? a more inspiring cinematic motif i doubt we'll ever find. and when She's dancing with Izzard and Hearst's lookin on, he's broken! And how couldn't he be, since there's Kirsten, dancing away and flirting and doin' the dimple smile thingy, but She's slippin' ever further away from our poor hero, him out The Lost Boys.
No, i dare say this is the height of cinematic wonder.
but a fine review as ever, jsut one i cannot get behind, good sir.
and Jennifer Tilly was great!
2 - DrPat
In retrospect, I was even more annoyed at this movie than when I wrote the review, Duke - there are numerous small BOBs (bits of business) that are allowed to pass unused.
For example, knowing that the official reason given for Ince's death was stroke due to ulcers, Elwes' retreat from the dinner table and pained expressions following stressful conversations with Hearst take on new color - yet the movie never develops them. One line of dialogue is all that would have been needed to explain why the other guests accept Hearst's stated reason for Ince's departure.
I totally agree with your assessment of Dunst. She's brilliant in this role. Elwes is completely Ince. Too bad two superb performances can't raise this film above pedestrian level.
For me, anyway. Opinions vary.
3 - Chase
I agree completely with regard to "The Cat's Meow." I had high hopes for it based on its cast and Bogdanovich, who I typically think is at least interesting, but it was a meandering bore.
Hollywood has done the decadence and shallownes of its Golden Era so many times, and to better effect. Have you ever seen "Day of the Locust"? That comes to mind...