The Cat's Meow
THE STORY:
The date is November, 1924 - the event is a fateful yacht journey that was accommodated by a number of the ‘filmic elite' - and the story is one of legend.
Please note, the owner of this luxury yacht, 'Oneida', is one William Randolph Hearst (a media mogul) - whom chartered this journey with the intent of celebrating the birthday of a Thomas Ince (a prospective media related ally).
Ince is an owner of a film studio and is currently in dire need of some financial help - hoping that he can convince Hearst, during this cruise, to take him on as a partner in Cosmopolitan Pictures.
Moreover, others in attendance on this yacht journey, are: Margaret Livingston (Ince’s lover) – Elinor Glyn (English writer) – Louella Parsons (film critic in Hearst’s employee) – Marion Davies (film star, Hearst’s lover, and a close acquaintance of Charlie Chaplin’s) – and Charlie Chaplin (film star who is presently recuperating from the negative publicity of his last film and his teenage beau, plus, is also a very close acquaintance of Marion Davis’s as well).
Oh! And of course, several other not so noted celebrities also.
Now during the gay abandon in which this yachts voyage brings, Ince tries his best to curry favour with Hearst, by incrementally informing him about the ‘close relationship’ between Marion and Charlie. But alas, this ploy does not play out as Ince expects it to. Because when Hearst is handed a telegraph, which informs him that this ‘relationship’ is more than just close personal friends - sh*t happens!!!
You see, enraged by this revelation, as well as the numerous pieces of evidence that Ince has given to him previously, Hearst - with gun in hand - searches the yacht for Chaplin in the middle of the night. And eventually, he discovers Davies, and someone who he thinks is Chaplin, sitting on a stairwell, talking about love and matters of the heart.
So what does Hurst do? BANG! OUCH!
Not a got thing, right? Especially when it is revealed to him, that the man has shot, is not Charlie Chaplin!
And I suppose that is why what next transpires is a rather strained affair indeed! As mystery's are made - actors are dismayed - editors are paid - and writers have something to hide in trade.
THE REVIEW:
Straight off the bat, let me just say that I liked 'The Cat's Meow' - because it is one of those films that does a number of things that I really enjoy watching. First off, it is a movie that pays homage to yesteryear - which I like. Next, it is a film that has a combo cast of British and American greats - and this is just sublime. After that, I have to say that there is a story to this film, a story shrouded in ambiguity - which I think is just spiffing. And finally, this is a piece of polished presentation, all set in an art deco style - which is just a class act in my book.
Personally speaking, I feel that this 'slice of yesteryear' plays out like a Victorian melodrama, and that it was very elegantly book-ened with the voice over narration of Joana Lumly's character - whom chronicles this tale. Moreover, the lavish sets and beautiful art direction complements this film quite nicely - almost making color seem like black and white.
However, the one thing that isn't that ‘Black and White’ - is the film. From the start, you are told that what you will see next is a somewhat ambiguous tale, and then, what you are presented with, you can either like it or not.
Obviously, I am in the former category, as the casting is inspired (especially Herrmann as Hearst and Kirsten as Marion), though sometimes it is a little too hard for me to swallow.
OK, what I mean by this, is the casting of Eddie Izzard as Charlie Chaplain. Now I like Eddie on stage - I really do. But him playing sex mad Chaplin does not sit well with me. I think that this is because I know him so well as that 'tranny-comic' - and he does it so well - that him being Chaplin? HA! Don’t make me laugh.
And that is what I found myself doing whilst he was kissing Kirsten’s character in one scene. Afterwards, I wanted him to just blurt out ‘And now take two radishes, and then see me in the morning’ before sauntering off.
Please note, Eddie does try his best to play this legend of this silver screen – it’s just that it does not work for me because Eddie is Eddie.
Still, as for the rest of the film... well... it play’s just fine. There is quite a few good bits in 'The Cat's Meow' for comic effect, and the grand finale - even though is does play slightly long - is a masterful piece of suspense.
Overall I really liked this movie, and I do feel that it is well worth a watch for any fans of yesteryear, suspense, unsolved mysteries, and deco inspired melodrama.
THE RATING: B-
