Noises Off Review
Peter_Bogdanovich has had his ups and downs in his career, but a nice little feather in his cap is Noises Off, a fast-paced comedy adapted from the stage play by Michael_Frayn. The film chronicles the journey of a British farce from tryouts in the Midwest to its Broadway opening and the comical disasters that ensue amongst the cast, crew, and director. Michael_Caine is perfectly cast as the play's director, Lloyd Fellowes, and he delivers the best overall performance. His mannerisms and facial expressions demonstrate a comic timing that is right on. Bogdanovich deftly manages his ensemble cast, which, in addition to Caine, features Carol_Burnett as an aging leading lady, John_Ritter as her offstage paramour, Christopher_Reeve in a rather dimwitted role, and Denholm_Elliot as the old school, somewhat senile, has-been. There are tons of belly laughs and sight gags. The acting takes a bit of a backseat to the physical comedy, particularly in a long extended "backstage" sequence where there are myriad sight gags and virtually no dialogue. It's obviously a very difficult orchestration, but Bogdanovich acquits himself well as the editing and the pacing are fairly seamless. Marilu_Henner is very funny as the "gossip," and the cast is rounded out by Julie_Hagerty, Mark Linn-Baker as the beleaguered stagehand, and Nicollette_Sheridan, who spends most of the film in her underwear. At times it seems like the cast is trying a bit too hard and the whole thing moves so fast it can lose an inattentive viewer, but these are minor points. It's a bit odd that a film with a prominent director and a top-of-the-line cast should have had so little success in theatrical release, but it's a treat worth searching out on video when the occasion calls for a few genuine laughs. Dan Friedman, Rovi
Great Film Moments:
- In Theaters
- This Week
- Coming Soon
- New on DVD
Browse More Movies:
