Peter Bogdanovich returns to some of his old ways with his direction of this movie. "The Cat's Meow" presents us with a group of personalities on a weekend voyage that gathers some of the most glamorous stars of the era. The yacht belongs to William Randolph Hearst who has invited some of the biggest movers and shakers for some fun as they cruise the Southern California waters. The screen play is by Steven Peros, who also has a small role in the movie.
The story is loosely based on an incident that happened in Mr. Hearst's yacht in which a famous producer, Thomas Ince is murdered. This was the object of gossip at the time. In the film, we are taken along for a view of the possible cause of the shooting and how it involved the lives and careers of some of the people aboard that fateful cruise.
Edward Hermann is an underestimated actor. Mr. Hermann transform himself into the magnate and gives the performance of his career. We get to see William Hearst as an insecure and jealous millionaire who is madly in love with Marion Davies, who he treats as a little girl. In turn Ms. Davies seems to have loved this man for himself, and not for the fame and fortune that accompanied their relationship. Kirsten Dunst makes a perfect Marion Davies.
The supporting members of the cast are perfectly cast, the most fun being Jennifer Tilly, as Louella Parsons, the famous gossip diva of the Hollywood of those years. She is totally loyal to Mr. Hearst and she proves to be a tough negotiator at the end, getting a plum deal for herself within Mr. Hearst's empire.
Eddie Izzard is appealing as Charley Chaplin, a man who wanted Ms. Davies for himself. Cary Elwes plays the doomed producer Thomas Ince. Joanne Lumley is seen as the mysterious writer Elinor Glyn.
The film is lovingly photographed with a detailed account to the art deco of the yacht by Bruno Delbonnel and a magnificent background hit parade of the songs of that epoch. Under the direction of Mr. Bogdanovich, everything comes together for a fun time at the movies.
The story is loosely based on an incident that happened in Mr. Hearst's yacht in which a famous producer, Thomas Ince is murdered. This was the object of gossip at the time. In the film, we are taken along for a view of the possible cause of the shooting and how it involved the lives and careers of some of the people aboard that fateful cruise.
Edward Hermann is an underestimated actor. Mr. Hermann transform himself into the magnate and gives the performance of his career. We get to see William Hearst as an insecure and jealous millionaire who is madly in love with Marion Davies, who he treats as a little girl. In turn Ms. Davies seems to have loved this man for himself, and not for the fame and fortune that accompanied their relationship. Kirsten Dunst makes a perfect Marion Davies.
The supporting members of the cast are perfectly cast, the most fun being Jennifer Tilly, as Louella Parsons, the famous gossip diva of the Hollywood of those years. She is totally loyal to Mr. Hearst and she proves to be a tough negotiator at the end, getting a plum deal for herself within Mr. Hearst's empire.
Eddie Izzard is appealing as Charley Chaplin, a man who wanted Ms. Davies for himself. Cary Elwes plays the doomed producer Thomas Ince. Joanne Lumley is seen as the mysterious writer Elinor Glyn.
The film is lovingly photographed with a detailed account to the art deco of the yacht by Bruno Delbonnel and a magnificent background hit parade of the songs of that epoch. Under the direction of Mr. Bogdanovich, everything comes together for a fun time at the movies.