The Cat's Meow (2001)

75% of critics liked it
(123 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(7,584 ratings)

Peter Bogdanovich turns his sights on the 1920s for a fictitious look at the possible reasons for the death of silent movie producer Thomas Ince (played here by Cary Elwes) after spending a holiday with media tycoon William Randolph Hearst (played by Edward Herrmann). The film begins and ends on… More Peter Bogdanovich turns his sights on the 1920s for a fictitious look at the possible reasons for the death of silent movie producer Thomas Ince (played here by Cary Elwes) after spending a holiday with media tycoon William Randolph Hearst (played by Edward Herrmann). The film begins and ends on Ince's funeral, attended by best-selling novelist Elinor Glyn (Joanna Lumley), who was present when the young producer finally died and who leads the audience through the unsure details of what may have occurred to cause the tragedy. Then, through flashback, we see Elinor arriving on the dock to Hearst's party, which is attended by a number of Hollywood players. Among those in attendance are Ince, his business manager (Victor Slezak), and his irritating mistress (Claudia Harrison. Charlie Chaplin (played by British comic Eddie Izzard) is recovering from a box-office bomb and fearing his 16-year-old mistress is pregnant, not to mention that he is seeing Hearst's lady on the side, the vampish actress Marion Davies (played here by Kirsten Dunst). Also seen are Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilly), a clumsy movie critic who works for Hearst, and Joseph (Ronan Vibert), Hearst's private secretary. The film was funded in Europe and also includes in its large cast James Laurenson, Chiara Schoras, and Claudie Blakley. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Peter Bogdanovich
Written By: Steven Peros
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 3, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Aug 20, 2002
Studio: Lions Gate Films Releasing

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The strongest achievement of The Cat's Meow may be the performances, especially those of Kirsten Dunst (Davies), Edward Herrmann (Hearst), and even Eddie Izzard (Chaplin).
Derek Elley, Variety
The '20s-set pic is given considerable bounce by a splendid cast, led by Kirsten Dunst in an eye-opening perf as Marion Davies.
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune
As the story progresses, the tension dissipates, probably because once Bogdanovich has set his wheels in motion, he just lets them spin.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
The result is good gossip, entertainingly delivered, yet with a distinctly musty odour, its expiry date long gone.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
[Dunst] brings genuine humanity to a role that could have been little more than a vampish gold digger.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
The visually stylish, if narratively stodgy, film is a parable of Hollywood success and personal failure told with authority by one himself a showbiz victor and victim.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a missed opportunity that's rarely as engrossing or intriguing as its premise might have indicated.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
It's good to see Peter Bogdanovich working again, but his Hollywood tale feels like a minor, trashy TV melodrama
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
This story about a possible murder isn't for kids.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
Though The Cat's Meow just sorta comes to a so-what ending and stops short, the getting there is delicious.
Dragan Antulov, Index.hr
%u0161arolika, ali prili%u010Dno talentirana gluma%u010Dka ekipa
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Featherweight but fun.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
I thought this was an incredible cast and I thought they were all fantastic at bringing their characters to life.
Neil Smith, BBC
It''s still a tasty footnote in the chequered histories of both Chaplin -- rumoured to be Davies' secret lover -- and Hearst.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
Dunst gives us a bright, bubbly woman with comedic talent.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Notable mostly for Kirsten Dunst's superb portrayal of Marion Davies.
Miles Fielder, Empire Magazine
The potential of this pure Hollywood Babylon story remains unrealised, instead playing out as half-baked Agatha Christie.
James Christopher, Times [UK]
The chemistry between the three leads is a cruel and perfect satire on celebrity love.
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus
Of particular interest if you're a fan of the seminal 1941 Orson Welles pic, Citizen Kane . . .
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
it never seems to gel, nor does it allow for any other interpretations, which takes all the fun out of the mystery.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alice S

Just okay. Somewhat stilted dialogue but that may just be Kirsten Dunst's modern inflection and forced gaiety.
Jeffrey M

An interesting account of Thomas Ince's death from the talnted Peter Bogdanovich, a consummate Hollywood insider/historian. It succeeds at being mostly entertaining and offering a decent view of the different motivations/interests involved, and is certainly one of Kirsten… More
An interesting account of Thomas Ince's death from the talnted Peter Bogdanovich, a consummate Hollywood insider/historian. It succeeds at being mostly entertaining and offering a decent view of the different motivations/interests involved, and is certainly one of Kirsten Dunst's best roles, she fits Marion Davies perfectly (the best film depiction of her). The one element that didn't quite work for me was Edward Hermann's betrayl of William Randolph Hearst, maybe I'm too skewed by Citizen Kane, but I imagine Heast to be a much more calculating character. 3/5 Stars
Alec B

Its an interesting idea for what might have really happened and I love Edward Herrman's performance as Hearst, the problem is that once the murder happens it becomes pretty obvious how the rest of it is going to turn out. Its just a mildly enjoyable piece of gossip.
Joey N

Frothy, juicy fun. It's refreshing to see a movie that isn't self-important. It's a modest film, which makes it all the easier to enjoy. There's a 15 dry spot after the murder, but up until that point, it'a about an hour and half of gossipy period-piece… More
Frothy, juicy fun. It's refreshing to see a movie that isn't self-important. It's a modest film, which makes it all the easier to enjoy. There's a 15 dry spot after the murder, but up until that point, it'a about an hour and half of gossipy period-piece fun.
m h

So I finally saw this and....was disappointed. Honestly Eddie Izzard playing the great Chaplin was a little far fetched. Plus the whole plot was boring. I found it hard to stay up and watch it. I don't recommend it. However on a lighter note...I think Kirsten Dunst is fabulous… More
So I finally saw this and....was disappointed. Honestly Eddie Izzard playing the great Chaplin was a little far fetched. Plus the whole plot was boring. I found it hard to stay up and watch it. I don't recommend it. However on a lighter note...I think Kirsten Dunst is fabulous no matter what! If you wanna see it...then see it for her. Otherwise don't because it's total crap!
Robert F

Even though I hate rich people from the Jazz Age (I find them annoying), I did like this movie. Kirsten Dunst, Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Tilly were the best.