Soapdish (1991)

Though this movie did decent box-office business, it was never as funny as it should have been or as clever as it thought it was. The film is set behind the scenes at The Sun Also Sets, a soap opera starring Sally Field that is suffering a ratings slump. To lure the audience back, the producers resurrect a dead character, played by Kevin Kline, with whom Field was once a lover of but is now at odds (and helped exile to dinner theater, where he is first glimpsed playing Willy Loman). Written by Andrew Bergman and Robert Harling, the script has its funny moments but never manages to string them together, despite a cast that includes Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Downey Jr., Cathy Moriarty, and Carrie Fisher. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com essential video

A Must Watch

Great romantic Comedy. Great plot, a little dark at times, which you'll love. What a cast! Really, you need to see this flick! June 24, 2008

Plain fun

When this movie came out I was younger than 10. But I remember watching it every single time they had it on TBS or TNT. This movie is, plainly put, a lot of fun. Very funny interpretations and a hell of a cast. April 12, 2008

A film for soap opera buffs featuring actors playing actors

This 1991 release features actors playing actors and is ideal for soap opera buffs. It's like what Michael J. Fox did in THE HARD WAY,what Ted Danson did in THREE MEN AND A BABY and THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY and what Richard Dreyfuss did in MOON OVER PARADOR. Anyway,actress Celeste Talbert(Sally Field) wins an Emmy for her portrayal on the (fictitious) daytime serial The Sun Also Sets. She returns home only to be met with great sadness. She learned via message on her answering machine that her married-but-separated boyfriend has suddenly left her and moved out of the home that the pair shared. Adam,the boyfriend,reunited with his wife and their kids. Celeste goes ballistic and she,probably a former smoker,begins the habit again. Celeste is so upset that she has Tawny Miller(Whoopi Goldberg),a friend of hers who's one of the serial's writers,write her out for a while saying Celeste's character Maggie went abroad to study. Surprisingly,an aspiring actress named Lori Craven(Elisabeth Shue) comes to New York looking for work. Lori was happy to have reunited with her aunt Celeste. OK now,here's another actor playing an actor:Kevin Kline himself is Jeffrey Anderson whose genres are dayime serials and dinner theaters. Jeffrey,at various points,is romantically involved with a number of women,including Celeste and Lori. Jeffrey commits an act that makes headlines,angering many,including Lori and Celeste. Differences are patched and the two woman work beautfully with Jeffrey and Lori herself wins her first Emmy! February 27, 2008

Wonderful! Funny!

If you grew up watching soap operas or had to watch them for a living as I did (yes, seriously) you will LOVE THIS MOVIE! Super performances by all, especially Cathy Moriarty. Even my husband loves this flick! Highly recommended! February 8, 2008

it's enough to make me write one liners for a person without a head

Soapdish is a delightfully funny comedy about the actors on a soap opera (The Sun Also Sets) whose real lives top their lives on the television show. The convincing acting and the zesty script with its one liners kept my attention all the way through; and the choreography works wonders in the scenes where we see the soap opera show within the movie.

The action begins with Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriarty) plotting with David Seton Barnes (Robert Downy, Jr.), TV exec, to get the older Celeste Talbert (Sally Field) kicked off the show so that Montana can be the new star. David is motivated to help Montana because he wants romantic time alone with Montana; and together David and Montana cook up all sorts of ideas to kick Celeste off the show--none of which work.

Of course, it doesn't help them when Rose Schwartz (Whoopi Goldberg), head writer for The Sun Also Sets, strongly opposes Celeste being written off the show. In the wildest stunt to make Celeste miserable, Montana and David plan to bring Jeffrey Anderson (Kevin Kline) back to the show. Hilarious complications ensue between Celeste and Jeffrey as a blossoming romance slowly heats up between Celeste's niece Lori Craven (Elizabeth Shue) and Jeffrey.

Look for some great acting by Whoopi Goldberg and Sally Field is excellent as Celeste Talbert. Garry Marshall also plays the part of studio big wig Edmund Edwards with panache. Excellent!

Will Celeste eventually be driven off the show because of some plans of Montana and David? What will happen when Edmund Edwards and his peers decide to air a live installment during which Celeste, Jeffrey and Lori learn which one of them has to leave to show so that there is more peace behind the scenes? No spoilers here, folks--just watch the movie, enjoy and find out!

Overall Soapdish may not be the funniest movie I ever saw but it comes rather close. I highly recommend this film for people who enjoy a good comedy with excellent actors to support it.
January 5, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...