The Cat's Meow

views updated

The Cat's Meow ★★½ 2001 (PG-13)

Bogdanovich takes on an old Hollywood scandal in this period drama. In 1924 publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst (Herrmann) and his much-younger mistress, actress Marion Davies (Dunst), invite a group of partygoers aboard Hearst's yacht for a weekend. Producer/ director Thomas Ince (Elwes) dies—but how is in question (heart attack? murder?)—and there's a coverup. Did Hearst mistakenly kill Ince while aiming for guest Charlie Chaplin (Izzard), whom Hearst suspected of carrying on with Davies? Film looks terrific, has a talented cast, and the story shows that little has changed in Hollywood regarding sex, scandal, ambition, and power. 112m/C VHS, DVD . GB GE Edward Herrmann, Kirsten Dunst, Cary Elwes, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Tilly, Victor Slezak, James Laurenson, Ronan Vibert, Claudia Harrison; D: Peter Bogdanovich; W: Steven Peros; C: Bruno Delbonnel.

About this article

The Cat's Meow

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article