The Cat's Meow [M]

William Randolph Hearst and his lover Marion Davies set sail from San Pedro harbour on a Saturday morning to host a marvellous birthday weekend for Tom Ince. The weekend begins friendly and fun enough, but soon becomes serious as each guest is harbouring secrets, keeping an eye on everyone else, and a love triangle emerges that ends in a murder. 

It’s the one of the most controversial and intriguing stories of the century: the murder of Thomas Ince aboard W.R Hearst’s boat, a case that remains unsolved. Bringing together some of the 20’s most influential people and recreating one of the juiciest pieces of Hollywood gossip (and yes, I know all about it. I’ve read Hollywood Babylon), The Cat’s Meow is a great film, perfectly balanced between comedy, drama, suspense, and seduction. Armed with amazing costumes, the Roaring 20s setting, and loads of fabulous actors playing Hollywood’s most influential people, I really enjoyed this movie… although to be fair my eye was on Eddie Izzard the entire time (wink, wink). 

William Randolph Hearst and his lover Marion Davies set sail from San Pedro harbour on a Saturday morning to host a marvellous birthday weekend for Tom Ince. The weekend begins friendly and fun enough, but soon becomes serious as each guest is harbouring secrets, keeping an eye on everyone else, and a love triangle emerges that ends in a murder. 

I’ll admit that I only hired this movie to see Eddie Izzard play Charlie Chaplin and I have to say that he was gorgeous, just gorgeous, albeit an egotistical prick. I don’t care what anyone says, Eddie Izzard has sex appeal; there is something really seductive about his delivery, his looks, his gestures… he really stole the show for me. 

To rival Eddie, we have Kirsten Dunst who was absolutely delightful. She was bubbly, charming, beautiful, and her costumes were just stunning. She looked so at home in the Roaring Twenties. 

We do have to give the people in costume design and wardrobe a special round of applause because the 20’s outfits were absolutely dazzling! 

It’s funny how the films that you come across randomly end up being the ones that will stay with you. I know that Kirsten and Eddie will Charleston their way into my dreams tonight. With some of the movie done in black and white and the rest in colour, The Cat’s Meow recreated that carefree and spontaneous atmosphere of the 20s perfectly (or even purr-fectly). Even amongst the jealousy, frustration, and emotional confusion and tension on the boat, there was still a real sense of whole-hearted fun: a brilliant atmosphere of not giving a damn. It was fantastic! 

Starring Kirsten Dunst as Marion Davies, Eddie Izzard as Charlie Chaplin, Edward Herrmann as William Randolph Hearst, Cary Elwes as Thomas Ince, Joanna Lumley as Elinor Glyn, and Jennifer Tilly as Louella “Lolly” Parsons, The Cat’s Meow is a great, gossipy thriller that’s filled with drama, deceit, affairs, dazzling outfits, jazz, liquor, comedy, and murder. I thoroughly enjoyed it!