Soapdish (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Great Fun Film !  Great Acting !
Disadvantages:	A Sunday Afternoon Movie !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Soapdish, 1991, Rating 12, running time 97 mins approx.

This is a great comedy film with some great actors! When soap life becomes reality!

The Story

Soap star Celeste Talbert (Sally Fields) is famous for her role of Maggie, in the TV Soap opera 'The Sun Also Sets' she has won hundreds of awards and has been on the screens as Maggie for the last 20 years. She is a soap idol, it is her popularity with the viewers that has kept her in the show with some great storylines.
Supporting actress Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriaty) who plays Nurse Nan knows the only way she can progress with her role on the show is to get rid of Celeste.
Montana teams up with the show co-writer David Seton Barnes (Robert Downey Jr) to try and get her out, they try every trick in the book, casting her old flame Jeffrey Anderson (Kelvin Klein) in the role of Dr. Rod Randall as Maggie's new on screen love interest, trying to make Maggie and murder by killing a homeless girl Angelique (Elizabeth Shue) who turns out to be Celeste's niece Lori Craven.

My Thoughts

Confused yet? Well as the plots thicken it is hard to distinguish what is real life and what is part of the soap opera, with a farcical style this is a very funny , fast paced film. I think the story and characters are brilliant and I love the way they make a joke out of the American soaps, that are really cheesy and over the top.
This film is jam packed of some amazing actors in lead roles and supporting ones too, look out for Whoopi Goldberg and Teri Hatcher and Carrie Fisher.

Characters/Actors

Sally Fields plays the soap star Celeste Talbert in this film, Celeste has been the star of the soap for over 20 years and lives her life through her character Maggie. She has no other life and her role is all she knows, she is temperamental and demanding and has alienated her co stars.
Sally Fields is a fantastic actress and gives a brilliant theatrical performance as Celeste. Sally has starred in a great many films including ' Steel Magnolias' , 'Where The Heart Is' and ' Mrs Doubtfire'.

Cathy Moriaty plays soap supporting actress Montana Moorehead, Montana plays the role of Nurse Nan but feels she doesn't get enough screen time due to Celeste's growing popularity. Her plan is to bring Celeste down, so that she can get to the top.
Cathy Moriaty is great as the sexy seductive and domineering actress Montana, Cathy Moriaty has gone on the star in many films and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Raging Bull.

Kelvin Klein plays Celeste's old flame and co-star Jeffery Anderson, Jeffery is a struggling actor on the brink of breakdown, when he is offered the chance to appear in a soap he jumps at the chance, even when he finds out that his character Dr Rod Randall will be the love interest of Maggie played by Celeste his ex love.
Kelvin Klein is very good in this role, he is a strong comedic actor, Kelvin has appeared in many films including 'A Fish Called Wanda', 'French Kiss' and ' Wild, Wild West'

Robert Downey Jr plays the soaps co writer David Seton Barnes, David is in love/lust for actress Montana Moorehead so when she asks him to assist her in her ploy against Celeste in return for sexual favours he jumps at the chance.
Robert Downey Jr is brilliantly funny in this film, he is a great actor and has starred in many films including 'Chaplin', 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' and is best known for his role in the TV series 'Ally McBeal'.

Elizabeth Shue plays the role of Celeste's niece Lori Craven, following in her aunts footsteps Lori longs to be an actress, she is delighted when she lands a par as an actress on the same soap as her aunt. But whilst working together real life and soap life become very confused.
Elizabeth Shue is a delight to watch, I am a fan of hers, she has been in some great films including 'Cocktail', 'Karate Kid' and 'Leaving Las Vegas'.

This film was written by Robert Harling who also wrote 'Steel Magnolias' and 'The First Wives Club'.

Where can I buy this?

Available on DVD from Amazon new fro £5.97 or used from £2.80.