The Cat’s Meow (2001)
68%RT Audience Score: 51%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 1 nomination
The Cat’s Meow is a deliciously evoked period piece and whodunit
The Cat’s Meow is a purrfectly delightful film that will have you meowing with laughter. With a stellar cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Edward Herrmann, and Eddie Izzard, this movie tells the tale of a possible murder in classic Hollywood. While it may not be suitable for kids, it’s a funny and fun ride for adults. Director Peter Bogdanovich captures the allure of the era and the ruthlessness of its potentates, making for a featherweight but enjoyable film. So grab some popcorn and settle in for a meow-nificent time!
Production Company(ies)
American Zoetrope Zoetrope Studios,
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Kyparisi, Greece
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, a scene of violence and brief drug use
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 50m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 2002 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2002
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
The Cat’s Meow, Kirsten Dunst, Cary Elwes, Edward Herrmann, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Victor Slezak, Peter Bogdanovich, Steven Peros, Carol Lewis, Kim Bieber, Lionsgate Films, Drama, PG-13, $3.2M, reviewed by Richard Brody, Nell Minow, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Derek Elley, Geoff Andrew, Neil Smith, Jason Shawhan, James Croot, MaryAnn Johanson, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, written by Steven Peros, produced by Carol Lewis, Kim Bieber
Worldwide gross: $3,646,994
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $6,048,768
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,118
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 659,626
US/Canada gross: $3,209,481
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,323,125
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,784
US/Canada opening weekend: $111,037
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $184,162
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,694
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $11,609,938
Production budget ranking: 1,609
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,251,952
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$11,813,122
ROI to date (est.): -66%
ROI ranking: 1,787
Cary Elwes – Thomas Ince
Edward Herrmann – William Randolph Hearst
Eddie Izzard – Charlie Chaplin
Joanna Lumley – Elinor Glyn
Victor Slezak – George Thomas
Director(s)
Peter Bogdanovich
Writer(s)
Steven Peros
Producer(s)
Carol Lewis, Kim Bieber
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (97) | Rotten (32)
Bogdanovich ruefully links the allure of classic Hollywood and the ruthlessness of its potentates.
February 22, 2021
Richard Brody
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
This story about a possible murder isn’t for kids.
December 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
The strongest achievement of The Cat’s Meow may be the performances, especially those of Kirsten Dunst (Davies), Edward Herrmann (Hearst), and even Eddie Izzard (Chaplin).
October 15, 2009 | Rating: 3/4
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The ’20s-set pic is given considerable bounce by a splendid cast, led by Kirsten Dunst in an eye-opening perf as Marion Davies.
October 18, 2008
Derek Elley
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Featherweight but fun.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
It”s still a tasty footnote in the chequered histories of both Chaplin — rumoured to be Davies’ secret lover — and Hearst.
August 3, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Neil Smith
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
Funny, fun and also relentless in holding responsible those who would tap-dance over the corpses of the inconvenient, this is an absolute gem.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
While it may be slow, it is lifted by the playwright’s attention to atmosphere, the script and the obligatory charleston.
December 21, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
The Cat’s Meow is a spiky, if unexciting return to form for Bogdanovich.
April 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Eddie Harrison
The List
…a missed opportunity that’s rarely as engrossing or intriguing as its premise might have indicated.
May 7, 2011 | Rating: 2/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
It’s good to see Peter Bogdanovich working again, but his Hollywood tale feels like a minor, trashy TV melodrama
May 3, 2011 | Rating: C+
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Though The Cat’s Meow just sorta comes to a so-what ending and stops short, the getting there is delicious.
November 19, 2008
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher…
Plot
In November of 1924, a mysterious Hollywood death occurred aboard media mogul William Randolph Hearst’s yacht. Among the famous guests that weekend were: film star Charlie Chaplin; starlet Marion Davies (who was also Hearst’s mistress at the time); silent-film producer Thomas H. Ince (known for creating the first Hollywood-studio facility and for creating an “assembly line” system for filmmaking); and feared gossip columnist, Louella Parsons.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Kirsten Dunst playfully flaunts her effortless charm as the glamorous Davies.
Peter-Bogdanovich.jpg
