California Suite (1978) 6.2
Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Director:Herbert RossWriter:Neil Simon (screenplay) |
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California Suite (1978) 6.2
Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Director:Herbert RossWriter:Neil Simon (screenplay) |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jane Fonda | ... | ||
| Alan Alda | ... | ||
| Maggie Smith | ... | ||
| Michael Caine | ... | ||
| Walter Matthau | ... | ||
| Elaine May | ... | ||
| Herb Edelman | ... |
Harry Michaels
(as Herbert Edelman)
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| Denise Galik | ... | ||
| Richard Pryor | ... | ||
| Bill Cosby | ... | ||
| Gloria Gifford | ... | ||
| Sheila Frazier | ... | ||
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David Sheehan | ... | |
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Michael Boyle | ... | |
| Len Lawson | ... | ||
4 totally different and seperated stories of guests in a hotel. Maggie Smith and Michael Caine came from England to attend the Oscars; Jane Fonda came from New York, Alan Alda is her ex who lives in California; in the slapsticky part Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor and their wives come to the hotel to relax and play tennis and find there is only one room vacant; in the fourth segment Walter Matthau has come a day before his wife for his nephew's Bar Mitzvah, his brother: sends a prostitute to his room. Written by Jonathan (jrd@netvision.net.il)
I've always liked this movie, ever since I saw it in the theater as a 12-year-old. (With my church youth group, no less -- what were they thinking??) It's flawed, but generally fun, and I like the sun-soaked, palm-fringed atmosphere.
Maggie Smith is the undisputed standout. Her portrayal is brilliant and she and Michael Caine fling one-liners at each other with biting abandon. I've always liked both Jane Fonda and Alan Alda, so I enjoy their storyline too, though their exchanges seem forced and a little too clever. I'm a Cosby fan, but his scenes with Richard Pryor are uncomfortable -- it's troubling that the film's only black characters are relegated to brute physical comedy. Walter Matthau and Elaine May do a great job, but I never liked the hooker skit -- not sure why.
I buy very few films, but I do own this one, and over the years I've watched it so many times I know all the lines...