- 1991movierewind
Episode #145: Soapdish
Listen to Episode 145 of the Podcast here while you enjoy the show notes.
SUMMARY - In Soapdish, Celeste Talbert (played by Sally Field) is an award-winning, long-tenured beloved actress on the soap opera “The Sun Also Sets.” Sick of the adulation, co-worker Montana Moorehead (played by Cathy Moriarty) conspires with producer David Barnes (played by Robert Downey Jr.) to ruin Celeste’s career and install Montana as the new lead.
Screenplay by Robert Harling and Andrew Bergman; Directed by Michael Hoffman; and released on May 31,1991.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Before the movie, we had two trailers and a commercial. First was for an upcoming episode of ours: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The second was for Naked Gun 2 1/2, our second ever episode.
The commercial was very specific and strangely long but good. We took the liberty of uploading it to YouTube as we didn't see it on there and it stars a pretty young Leslie Jordan (and a well-trained dog) promoting used copies of Soapdish that you can buy from your video store.
FILM DISCUSSION
The movie has a huge cast and uses the award show beginning to help introduce a chunk of them
Then we quickly get into the main plot and the behind the scenes drama that dominates the comedy
In fact, we really don't see a whole lot of the actual soap opera and spending a little more time in those scenes might have been a fun way to bookend and add a couple jokes.
This movie deals with a lot of conventions like the casting director taking advantage of young actors, and there are big names in pretty small roles
The main arc is arguably that of Lori but it's mostly told through other people's reactions to her
Jon argued that there were too many characters and combining a couple might have helped a bit
Game Boy sighting!
But the film is largely enjoyable with great comedic acting and timing, especially from Kline and the production values all around were top notch
The biggest problem we had was the way a trans character was handled, even if it's far from the most egregious example of this in cinematic history.
Awards Talk: GG NOM Kevin Kline. American Comedy Awards NOM Kline, Sally Field, Whoopi, Cathy Moriarty
TRUE CRIME & POP CULTURE
This week we don't have any true crime so our pop culture segment centers around revivals and reboots of Soapdish
Soapdish Broadway News Sources
https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/kristin-chenoweth-soapdish-other-palace_42397.html/
Soapdish TV Show News Sources
Also, considering the subject matter at the end, we also briefly discuss the documentary "Disclosure"
RANKINGS & RATINGS
Nikki 1-5 star scale - 3 out of 5
Jon 0-4 star scale - 3 out of 4
Would you watch it again? - Despite the problematic ending, we both still would. However, it would have to be several years down the road. We need some time to forget the jokes and comedic beats. But either way, we would both easily choose this over another viewing of "Delirious."
If you want to watch Soapdish, as of this recording in January 2024, it’s available on Max, Showtime, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD. Check your local listings.
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