The Cat’s Meow (2002)

Directed by Peter Bogdonavich. Starring Edward Herrmann, Eddie Izzard, Kirsten Dunst, Cary Elwes, Jennifer Tilly, Joanna Lumley, Claudia Harrison, Ronan Vibert, James Laurenson, Chiara Schoras, Claudie Blakley, Victor Slezak, Ingrid Lacey, John C. Vennema. [R]

During a weekend get-together aboard William Randolph Hearst’s (Herrmann) yacht in 1924, a dreadful accident befalls Hollywood-mogul-on-the-decline Thomas Ince (Elwes); or was it accidental murder? The truth will probably never be known for sure, but this film illuminates the most likely theory in an understated but involving fashion, allowing its fine cast to navigate the glamorous but hollow and faithless trappings of the Tinseltown elite during the height of silent picture fame. As a filmmaker exceptionally well read on the lore of old Hollywood, Bogdonavich was the perfect choice to bring this fascinating, gossip-heavy story to life; after a career marked by largely disappointing dividends since his early brilliance, this one rates as the director’s finest effort since the early 70s. The methodical introduction of characters could have been handled more elegantly, and the humor is a little too low-key when trying to generate interest before the dramatic gears start turning, but it exhibits such a restrained manner of seizing the viewer’s attention that it’s easy to miss just how well it all works in the moment. Played in several film festivals in 2001 and 2002 before finally getting a limited US release.

79/100