Friday, February 12, 2021

Movie review - "Noises Off" (1992) ***

 I know not many people saw this movie but for me it was a wonderful return to form for Peter Bogdanovich after Illegally Yours and Texasville. I think it helped that he didn't write it. Also, while it is basically a filmed stage play, the stage play is very funny, and Bogdanovich's preferences for long takes suits the action. He clearly has a lot of affection for show people and has an outstanding cast: Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve (so sweet), John Ritter, Carole Burnett, Marilu Henner (great to see her in a movie, she's always good), Denholm Elliot, Nicolette Sheridan.

It does lose something on screen because you don't have the fun of seeing people do it all live. It has the flaws of the stage show because it's three acts and the action feels repetitive... three acts of shambles acting. After a time it got wearying... for instance it was fun to see Sheridan in underwear but after a while I really wanted her to do something else.

Still, stylish and well done.  I loved mixing English and American actors, that worked well.

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