Cat On a hot tin Roof 9/10

Just watched this again the otherday and couldn't find a review for this undisputed classic, so heres a brief one.


In the hands of great directors, Tenesse Williams plays translate so well to the screen (Sweet Bird Of Youth, Streetcar named Desire) and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof is no exception.

It is gorgeous to look at, the whole thing oozes a southern atmosphere that comes out of the screen. The script of course is full of turmoil, conflicts and tragedy and all the cast relish the chance to bring these charecters to life.

Paul Newman, Burl Ives and Elizabeth Taylor are all in top form and each brings so much charisma to the screen you cant help but stand back in awe of the skills on display. Its like watching an Olympian diver, focused,precise and professional.

I could go on for days about this film but Im sure there are heaps of other fans who will have something to add.......

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******"The Majority Is Always Wrong" Steve Mcqueen in Enemy Of The People******

My review of the film:

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF is the 1958 film version of Tennessee Williams' classic Broadway play, that is still powerful entertainment despite a watered down screenplay. The story follows the Pollitt family, headed by Big Daddy, who has just returned to his southern plantation after an extended hospital stay in time for his 60th birthday party where his family will gather and long hidden resentments, greed, machinations, manipulations, and, of course, secrets will rear their ugly head. Big Daddy has two sons: Gooper is a brown-nosing, if well-intentioned moron who desperately seeks his father's approval so he can inherit the estate someday and bows to his father's every demand and keeps Big Daddy awash in grandchildren. Despite all his good intentions, Big Daddy can't stand Gooper or his grasping and perpetually pregnant wife or his obnoxious children. Gooper's brother Brick is an alcoholic loser who has arrived at the plantation for the birthday party, but has injured his leg trying to relive his youth as a track star and lays up in his bedroom drinking and ignoring his beautiful wife Maggie, who Big Daddy adores and continues to pressure for grandchildren, but Maggie can't get Brick to touch her since the death of his college buddy, Skipper. Williams' play makes no bones about the fact that Brick and Skipper were lovers, but all references to homosexuality were dropped in the screenplay, making much of Brick's motivations for distancing himself from Maggie unclear, but making the film suitable for 1958 film audiences.

Despite the watered down screenplay, the film is still an emotionally-charged experience thanks to the taut direction of Richard Brooks and sterling performances from an all-star cast. Paul Newman has rarely been better as the tortured Brick and Elizabeth Taylor is a revelation as sexual dynamo Maggie the Cat. During production, Taylor lost third hubby Mike Todd in a plane crash during production and Taylor apparently channeled her grief into her work, producing one of her finest performances. She and Newman both received richly deserved Oscar nominations. Newman should have won. Burl Ives is brilliant as Big Daddy. Ives ironically won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for that year, but for another film (THE BIG COUNTRY). Jack Carson also gave one of his strongest performances as Gooper as did Madeline Sherwood, playing his obnoxious wife, Mae. Judith Anderson is heartbreaking as Big Mama and Larry Gates has his moments as Big Daddy's doctor, who is forced to reveal that Big Daddy is dying. Though slightly diluted from its original source, still a powerful movie experience that merits multiple viewings. Don't miss this one.