Complete credited cast: | |||
Whoopi Goldberg | ... | Vashti Blue | |
Severn Darden | ... | Max | |
Elliott Gould | ... | Rodney | |
John Heard | ... | Telephone Man | |
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Ronald J. Stallings | ... | Saxophone Player |
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John Hattan | ... | Sidewalk Vendor |
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Lina Chu | ... | Sidewalk Vendor |
James Victor | ... | Big Ray on Answering Machine (voice) | |
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Robin Menken | ... | Voice on the Freeway (voice) |
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Danae Torn | ... | Midge on Answering Machine (voice) |
Hervé Villechaize | ... | Voice on the Freeway (voice) | |
Don Blakely | ... | Larry on Answering Machine / Voice on the Freeway (voice) | |
Amy Wright | ... | Honey Boxe / Irate Neighbor / Jennifer on Answering Machine |
One evening, unemployed actress Vashti Blue (Whoopi Goldberg) returns to the apartment she shares with her pet goldfish and owl. On the answering machine, Vashti listens to her messages, and hears her agent remind her of an audition, as well as a notification about her overdue telephone bill. She also hears a voice she believes is her former lover, Larry. Throughout the night, Vashti entertains herself by dialing different telephone numbers, talking to the local market, video store, police station, and her friend, Jennifer. The noise from the calls causes Vashti's next-door neighbor to yell at her in frustration. Later, Vashti's former agent, Rodney, and his new client, "Honey Boxe," arrive, asking to use her telephone. However, Vashti refuses Rodney's request. Rodney tells Vashti that her bad attitude always made it difficult to find her acting jobs. Annoyed, Vashti asks Rodney and Honey Boxe to leave. But the best and and most is about to come.
The film has all the humor, wit and charm of Whoopi Goldberg's, multi-character, one-person shows with a more cohesive aspect defined by a single, central character. Notice the "hats-off" to Richard Pryor and a final plot twist that shocks and tugs heart strings simultaneously. This one might cruise right over your head. Watch it more than once.