Soapdish (1991)

69% of critics liked it
(35 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(8,004 ratings)

In the comedic farce Soapdish, the behind-the-scenes lives of several soap opera actors are just as melodramatic as those of their television counterparts. Sally Field stars as Celeste Talbert, the star of a declining TV show. To make matters worse, Talbert's career is thrown into turmoil when her… More In the comedic farce Soapdish, the behind-the-scenes lives of several soap opera actors are just as melodramatic as those of their television counterparts. Sally Field stars as Celeste Talbert, the star of a declining TV show. To make matters worse, Talbert's career is thrown into turmoil when her rival, Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriarty), tries to persuade producer David Barnes (Robert Downey Jr.) to write Talbert off the show. Smitten by Moorehead, Barnes comes up with a scheme to get Talbert off the show by hiring her niece Lori (Elisabeth Shue) and then Jeffrey (Kevin Kline), an old flame and cast member who was written out of the show 20 years prior. Soon, mayhem rules on the set as the cast and crew tangle, culminating in a special episode, broadcast live. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Michael Hoffman
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Dec 11, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Soapdish aims at a satiric target as big as a Macy's float and intermittently hits it.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This movie certainly has its dopey moments, but if you're feeling indulgent you're likely to have a good time with it.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Uneven but often sidesplitting.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
It's a kick to see Field sending up her sweetheart image.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Soapdish is pure joy, a lemon-fresh spoof of daytime drama that does the dishing and may even soften your hands.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This is the kind of movie that is a balancing act, really.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Soapdish is a flurry of activity without a dedicated core, neutering displays of slapstick and the force of the satiric crescent kick.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Fundamentally, its subject for satire isn't all that clever.
, Empire Magazine
Not as funny as the real thing and unlikely to be anywhere near as successful as the leading real-life exponents of the art.
Richard Luck, Film4
A funny, sharply-written film more pertinent in the Noughties than it was upon its first release.
, Time Out
Nothing succeeds like excess, this comedy would have us believe.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Way too hard-working for comedy.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Starts off funny, ends up ludicrously funny. Recommended.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

The show within a show concept is the thing here with the question being: isn't the business of making a show more interesting than the show itself? Played, as daytime television frequently does, larger than life ... the result is the guilty pleasure of this film. Fields and… More
The show within a show concept is the thing here with the question being: isn't the business of making a show more interesting than the show itself? Played, as daytime television frequently does, larger than life ... the result is the guilty pleasure of this film. Fields and Kline are marvelous.
Mason W

Soapdish is one of my guilt pleasures...such a funny movie with such good actors such as: Sally Field, Whoopie Goldberg, Elizabeth Shue, Robert Downey Jr, Cathy Moriarty, Kevin Kline, and Teri Hatcher. This movie directed by Michael Hoffman shows you what happens behind closed… More
Soapdish is one of my guilt pleasures...such a funny movie with such good actors such as: Sally Field, Whoopie Goldberg, Elizabeth Shue, Robert Downey Jr, Cathy Moriarty, Kevin Kline, and Teri Hatcher. This movie directed by Michael Hoffman shows you what happens behind closed doors on a soap opera....apparently another drama ensues...too funny!
Candy R

Great cast, funny parts.
xGary X

Mildly amusing spoof of daytime soap operas with an amiable cast. But the laughable soap opera scenes are far funnier than the behind the scenes antics, and the similar Tootsie is better.
jay n

the cast gives it their all
Dean M

Good soap opera comedy of the cast. Sally Field works hard and shows an expert sense of comic timing. And Kevin Kline is utterly marvelous as a sort of low-rent John Barrymore type, boozing and carousing his way through the ranks of worshipful young actresses.
Jason V

With the immense talent in front of the camera, Soapdish should be a sure-fire homerun. The only problem is its not. The why is harder to figure out. There are a plethora of storylines revolving around the behind-the-scenes antics of a soap opera. Each of the actors overacts the… More
With the immense talent in front of the camera, Soapdish should be a sure-fire homerun. The only problem is its not. The why is harder to figure out. There are a plethora of storylines revolving around the behind-the-scenes antics of a soap opera. Each of the actors overacts the hell out of their parts. It's entirely possible the problem is the subject matter isn't all that funny-even to fans of soap operas-and the story itself is better suited to a half hour, television format. Every twist and turn happens entirely too quickly, especially the final revelations in a live show at the end (a live soap opera? Really?). There are a few legitimately laugh out loud moments, but most only require a knowing nod and a smile. That's not what the movie is going for...is it?
Marcus W

I liked the "soap within a soap" idea, but not being a fan of soaps this film did nothing for me and made me laugh zero times.
Erin C

The overacting drove me crazy. There was a twist toward the end, but even that couldn't save this movie. I definitely wouldn't recommend this unless you are a devout fan of one of the cast members (I saw it because RDJ is in it).
Jessica v

Amusing, in a chuckle-chuckle sort of way. That being said, I wasn't expecting a high-brow comedy, but hey. It's a Downey movie I've never seen and therefore a little treasure. RDJ is wonderful, as usual, and Goldberg matches his character beautifully. On the flip… More
Amusing, in a chuckle-chuckle sort of way. That being said, I wasn't expecting a high-brow comedy, but hey. It's a Downey movie I've never seen and therefore a little treasure. RDJ is wonderful, as usual, and Goldberg matches his character beautifully. On the flip side, Field's manic leading lady errs on the wrong side of caricature and therefore makes her immediately unlikable. The plot twists are probably the best bits - soap opera indeed.
Sunil J

I saw this movie on TV when I was a kid and I love how goofy and fun it is.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sally Field as Celeste Talbert

            Kevin Kline as Jeffrey Anderson

            Robert Downey Jr. as David Barnes

            Cathy Moriarty as Montana Moorehead

            Whoopi Goldberg as Rose Schwartz

            Elisabeth Shue as Lori Craven

            Carrie Fisher as Betsy Faye Sharon

            Garry Marshall as Edmund Edwards

            Teri Hatcher as Ariel Maloney

            Paul Johansson as Bolt Brennan

            Leeza Gibbons as Herself

            John Tesh as Himself

            Stephen Nichols as Award Presenter

            Michael Berkowitz as Young Autograph Seeker

            David Byron as Nitwit

            Robert Camilletti as Actor

            Tim Choate as A.D.

            Nico de Silva as Bus Boy

            Willie Garson as Nitwit

            Mary Pat Gleason as Housewife

            Penny Gumeny as Fan

            Wai Ching Ho as Fan

            Finola Hughes as "All My Trials" Actress (uncredited)

            Mary Thompson Hunt as Fan

            Brick Karnes as Homeless Extra

            Sheila Kelley as Fran

            Cornelia Kiss as Receptionist

            Barry Kivel as Nitwit

            Phil Leeds as Old Man

            Gino Lucci as Bus Driver

            Costas Mandylor as Mark

            Vince Melocchi as P.A.

            Armando Molina as Bus Boy

            Marianne Muellerleile as Housewife

            Amy Nabi as Woman Shopper

            Kathy Najimy as Tawny Miller

            Arne Nannestad as Burton White

            Dorothy Patterson as Old Woman

            Clive Rosengren as Doorman

            Ben Stein as Nitwit

            Herta Ware as Old Woman

            Ivory Ocean as Bartender

            Lora Kennedy
            
See full cast

Soapdish (1991)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Mason W

Candy R

xGary X

jay n

Dean M

Jason V

Marcus W

Erin C

Jessica v

Sunil J

Cast

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