The Cat’s Meow ***½ (2011, Kirsten Dunst, Cary Elwes, Edward Herrmann, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Tilly) – Classic Movie Review 2643

The Cat’s Meow is the semi-true story of a real Hollywood murder that took place on the yacht of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann), whose mistress film star Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst) is being pursued by Charles Chaplin (Eddie Izzard). For business reasons, movie producer Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes) stirs up Hearst’s jealousy, with fatal consequences.

Director Peter Bogdanovich gets into the heart of this riveting story in 2001, telling it with good attention to detail and atmosphere and encouraging fine acting from a talented cast.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Izzard makes a pretty good job of playing Chaplin. Joanna Lumley also stars as actress Elinor Glyn, with Jennifer Tilly as influential newspaper gossip queen Louella Parsons. The sharp screenplay is by Steven Peros, based on his own play.

Bogdanovich didn’t film another feature till She’s Funny That Way in 2014.

Long-time character actor Edward Herrmann lost a battle with brain cancer and died at the age of 71 on December 31 2014.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2643

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