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Created Jan 13, 2008 04:57PM PST • Edited Jan 14, 2008 06:00PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   The glamour of the 1920’s and a mysterious death in one fabulous film! This is said to be the truest account of what happened on a yacht belonging to William Randolph Hearst (before the depression ruined him and granddaughter Patty went nuts). It makes me yearn for the carefree days of silent Hollywood and prohibition. We like to think things were more fun back then, but this film reminds us that SNAFU’s abound no matter what decade you’re in.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Very well cast.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

   Eddie Izzard does a marvelous job as Charlie Chaplin. Top notch. I’m very familiar with his comedy, and subsequently his “executive transvestite” look, so one would think it’d be hard to accept seeing him dressed so drab in a suit and tie and not wearing make-up, but he’s very, VERY good and I believe him as the creator of the Tramp.
   Cary Elwes, as much as I’d like to never see him do anything but swordfight on the Cliffs of Insanity, holds up as a man desperate to save his movie studio who’s effing up his personal life in the process. Good job.
   Edward Herrmann as William Randolph Hearst lovesick with jealousy? Amazing. He can be such a crazy asshole but you still feel sorry for him at times.

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

   Kirsten Dunst as the fabulous Marion Davies: I have a hard time with it. I don’t know who else would play Marion better, because Kirsten certainly pulls of that fab look of the 20’s off flawlessly, but Kirsten’s voice sounds so young, and she’s playing a thirty year old. I know it’s not her fault, and otherwise she does a fabulous job, but I struggle with it every time I watch it… even THAT troubles me though, because I don’t know what Marion actually sounded like, so what am I complaining about?
   Joanna Lumley, absolutely fabulous, pun intended. I’ve only ever seen her as the drinking, chain smoking, drug addicted Pasty Stone on Absolutely Fabulous, but she’s just awesome as the part-time narrator of The Cat’s Meow. Such a versitile actress.

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

   Jennifer Tilly, it’s okay that your voice annoys me to no end. It’s perfect for you in this case.

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Good 3.0

    A bit… I don’t know, hokey? here and there. There are times when I don’t really buy what the actors are saying… some might say that’s poor acting, but in this case I maintain that somewhat awkward dialogue is to blame.

13. Music Great 4.0

    I’ve got this soundtrack and I love it. Good old fashioned 20’s jazz, the Charleston and it’s all good. Kirsten Dunst even sings on one track that I believe plays during the end credits. Not bad.

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.2

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

    Kissing, non-graphic sex.

18. Violence Gentle 1.1

    There’s a gun involved. It gets fired.

19. Rudeness Polite 1.1

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0