Critic Reviews
Cat's Meow, The (2001) Rank 3 Reviews
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based on (179) reviews
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San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
Sometimes all it takes to make a solid movie is a director with something to prove, a juicy rumored Hollywood tale about something wicked that once happened (but that no one can confirm), a bunch of interesting characters stuck together on a boat, solid ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
Susan Granger
When I was growing up in Hollywood, adults used to whisper about how, years before, powerful publisher William Randolph Hearst "got away with murder" and why gossip columnist Louella Parsons had a lifetime contract with Hearst newspapers. Peter ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Susan Granger
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Peter Bogdanovich's (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon) first theatrical film in over eight years still sees the acclaimed director in fine form, with another cinematic dig at the mystique of William Randolph Hearst. Of course, Bogdanovich isn't merely a ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)
It is the stuff of Hollywood legend. In 1924, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst hosted a party aboard his private yacht, the Oneida. The guest list was a virtual who's who of early Hollywood. Film pioneers Charlie Chaplin and Thomas Ince, ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)
The Movie Chicks
What starts out as a weekend getaway for the rich and snooty aboard the yacht of William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann) turns into a mystery that's never been solved (and not often discussed). This film gives a possible explanation for the death ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at The Movie Chicks
DVDActive (Pete Roberts)
The Cat’s Meow ’s appeal lies in the true story about how a bunch of Hollywood’s big names boarded William Hearst’s yacht in the 1920s. Just how much is true after that is debatable, which is exactly how some intended it to be ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at DVDActive (Pete Roberts)
At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)
Daily-Reviews (Aaron J. Bossig)
Supercala.com (John Venable)
Peter Bogdanovich probably doesn't deserve the type of acclaim for this film that he's received for many of his other films, but it's definitely entertaining and worth a viewing. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Supercala.com (John Venable)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Elegant, funny and unexpectedly touching, this whodunit about a murder aboard the yacht of William Randolph Hearst represents a bracing comeback for Peter Bogdanovich. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
An intriguing, richly detailed look at the early days of Hollywood power and glamour. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
An elegant drama about power and its frightening uses, The Cat's Meow is the bee's knees. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Sun Newspapers of Cleveland (Gerry Shamray)
The Cat's Meow is a purr-fect return to form for director Peter Bogdanovich. It's rich in the same flavor of his earlier films. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Sun Newspapers of Cleveland (Gerry Shamray)
New York Times (A.O. Scott)
A modest, restrained picture, as small and satisfying as one of Woody Allen's better recent efforts. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at New York Times (A.O. Scott)
Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Fulvue Drive-in
BumsCorner.com Review (DJ Hufford)
Reel Movie Critic (Brenda Sexton)
Voice-over comments set an evil tone about the bizarre make-believe world of Hollywood; "Am I visiting the zoo, or am I one of the animals?" And, "The California Curse-it's not a place, it's a luring evil wizard who banishes your ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Reel Movie Critic (Brenda Sexton)
Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
There is virtually no chance that we will ever know what happened aboard the Oneida, media baron William Randolph Hearst's luxury yacht, on the night of November 18, 1924. We do know that a movie producer named Thomas Ince was taken off the yacht the ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)
In 1924, a mysterious death occurred on a yacht owned by newspaper tycoon William
Randolph Hearst. This story imagines what might have happened amongst the various
Hollywood luminaries who were aboard that ship. Along with Hearst and his young ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)
Journal News (Westchester, NY) (Marshall Fine)
Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Capsule review by Mark Dujsik
Fascinating tale of
Hollywood
yore about an unsolved murder that happened on a weekend yacht trip organized
by William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann), The
Cat’s Meow contains the same kind of intelligent class ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)
My problem with this fairly enjoyable movie is one of point of view. The movie begins from the perspective of Elinor Glyn. She begins by narrating the movie and we see everyone's arrival at the yacht through her eyes. However, once on board, we lose the ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)
Newsday (Jan Stuart)
Citizen Kane for fans of Agatha Christie and Liz Smith: no frills, but juicy. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Newsday (Jan Stuart)
Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
Bogdanovich puts history in perspective and, via Kirsten Dunst's remarkable performance, he showcases Davies as a young woman of great charm, generosity and diplomacy. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
A delectably nasty slice of Hollywood history gets a sympathetic -- but still nicely barbed -- Hollywood treatment in The Cat's Meow . ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
watchingmovies.com (Rob McKinnon)
a delicious delight and absolutely pure fun from beginning to end. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at watchingmovies.com (Rob McKinnon)
Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Bogdanovich adds touches to appeal to serious film fans. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
A fascinating what-if story of the rich and famous. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
Primarily works as a reminder that Bogdanovich, who hasn't made a feature film since 1993, is still very much a force as a director -- and as another signal of Dunst's astonishing talent. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Jolting into Charleston rhythms, the story has the sizzle of old news that has finally found the right vent (accurate? Who cares?). ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
Bogdanovich's vision is a broodingly delightful spectacle to behold. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) (Judith Egerton)
Dunst gives us a bright, bubbly woman with comedic talent. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) (Judith Egerton)
Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
Works on a number of levels, but above all else it is a smart and satisfying entertainment. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
Boston Globe (Jay Carr)
It's pretty linear and only makeup-deep, but Bogdanovich ties it together with efficiency and an affection for the period. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Boston Globe (Jay Carr)
Snack Bar (Adam J. Hakari)
SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
DVD Talk (Don Houston)
The movie was well made and interesting to it's intended audience but I wonder if most people would care enough about the subject matter to put in the time and energy to really appreciate it. There were a number of solid performances to enjoy but the ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at DVD Talk (Don Houston)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Whodunits have always and will always be popular, especially when they involve the rich, famous and powerful. While Hollywood stars and executives from the Charleston-crazed 1920s certainly met these criteria, one man, William Randolph Hearst (Edward ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)
Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
A harkening back to a Hollywood of a different era, Peter Bogdonovich's film take on one of the most famous 'Tinseltown scandals' of the time fires right out of the barrel with a first act that's one of the most biting satires of the film industry in ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
But Bogdanovich does make the mistake of thinking the incident aboard the yacht will speak for itself, when in fact it could use a little life and personality infused into it. Not everyone, it must be remembered, is as fascinated with the story as he ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
William Randolph Hearst did, or did not, get away with murder on board his private yacht Oneida on Nov. 15, 1924. If he did, there is no question he was powerful enough to cover it up. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Hollywood is built on the myths and legends of the past - its reputation rests upon the closeted skeletons of the movers and shakers of its early days. One of many such half-whispered stories occurred during a weekend in November 1924 on a boat owned by p ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
DVD Talk (Phillip Duncan)
A throwback to yesteryear in both setting and style, The Cat's Meow is an accurate recreation of a time that most have forgot. All of the events that have been fictionalized are believably done and never take you out of the story. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at DVD Talk (Phillip Duncan)
CountingDown review (Daniel Baig)
A Guide to Current DVD (Mark McLeod)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium (JoBlo)
CultureDose.net (Lee Chase IV)
digitallyOBSESSED.com (Mark Zimmer)
TheWorldJournal.com (Gino Pagliuca)
filmcritic.com paws at The Cat's meow (Jeremiah Kipp)
Movie Marshal (Jason Picker)
DVD Net (Terry Kemp)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
Entertain Your Brain! - Review
Lights Out Films - DVD Review
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
On one November weekend in 1924, 14 guests were invited to take a cruise on the luxurious yacht of pioneer media magnate William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrman). Debauchery, illicit drug and alcohol and a love triangle are all overshadowed when one of ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
CineScene.com (Nathaniel Rogers)
d+kaz. Intelligent Movie Reviews (Daniel Kasman)
One of the characters in The Cat’s Meow comments that if everyone stopped moving and took a look at their selves there would be nothing there, the key being to keep moving to avoid reality. This aptly describes Peter Bogdanovich’s first movie in ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at d+kaz. Intelligent Movie Reviews (Daniel Kasman)
CultureDose.net (David Abrams)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Peter Bogdanovich's (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon) first theatrical film in over eight years still sees the acclaimed director in fine form, with another cinematic dig at the mystique of William Randolph Hearst. Of course, Bogdanovich isn't merely a ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
MovieEye.com (David Litton)
London Times (James Christopher)
DVDwolf (Rob Paul)
Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
DVD Town (Yunda Eddie Feng)
Mutant Reviewers From Hell
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)
filethirteen.com
filethirteen.com Review
Film Monthly (Hope Villanueva)
DVD Town (Yunda Eddie Feng)
Guess the Gross
CineScene.com (Sasha Stone)
DVD Verdict (Rob Lineberger)
eye WEEKLY (Jason Anderson)
Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
The Digital Bits
The Boston Phoenix
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
hybridmagazine.com
Santa Monica Mirror (Sasha Stone)
Shadows on the Wall by Rich Cline
Los Angeles Times (Kevin Thomas)
The Film Journal (Peter Tonguette)
Movie House Commentary
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Movie Magazine International
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Movie Mom's review
He has paid tribute to classic movies sucessfully ("Paper Moon," "The Last Picture Show," "What's Up Doc?") and unsuccessfully ("At Long Last Love"). At his best, he is able to not just salute, but evoke the mood and spirit of Hollywood's golden era of ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Movie Mom's review
Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Bogdanovich's first film since 1993's The Thing Called Love is being celebrated in some quarters as a return to form for the boy wonder, and although it's a solid, engaging period mystery, it's still a far cry from his triumphal triumvirate of The Last ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Movie Habit (Matt Anderson)
But that’s also why The Cat’s Meow is a disappointment. As written by Steven Peros, based on his own stage play, the story paints a picture of the debauchery and scandalous lifestyles of the rich and famous during Hollywood’s early ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Movie Habit (Matt Anderson)
David N. Butterworth
Among Hearst's invited partygoers is his mistress, actress Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst, currently playing opposite the arachnid to beat at the box office, `SpiderMan'); Charlie Chaplin (yes The Charlie Chaplin–remember this is based on a true story) ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at David N. Butterworth
Movie Martyr (Jeremy Heilman)
New York Post (Jonathan Foreman)
Movie Habit (Matt Anderson)
It is disappointing that the picture oftentimes is either dark or grainy, while on occasion turning crisp and perfect. As for the menus, they’re far too dark, plain, and unimaginative. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Movie Habit (Matt Anderson)
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
It's good that Peter Bogdanovich has gone behind the camera again, and "The Cat's Meow" certainly isn't an embarrassment, as some of his more recent pictures were. It doesn't, however, get much beyond the level of simple competence. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Seems thin and superficial, like a TV movie of the week. ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
It echoes down the passageway, piercing your drums at every strained output and despite its misleadingly endearing carrier, the screech is relentless and inexorable. Not unlike the new Peter Bogdanovich film, The Cat's Meow, which like its ostensible ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
The screenplay for the film was written by Steven Peros, who based it on his play. I wonder how he would have executed the material on film. I would be interested to see The Cat's Meow performed live; I have a feeling the ...read the complete Cat's Meow movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
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