P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! (2002) User Reviews

Average

[Enchorde · 5/10 · 22 May 2005]

** HERE BE SPOILERS ** Recap: Jimmy Zoole (Guttenberg) is at the end of a disastrous year. His play cancelled, his best friend died, his apartment has been robbed frequently (and his precious book-project stolen), his girlfriend is leaving him and, o yeah, his beloved cat just died. Jimmy is losing his grip on the world. He has a spectacular fall out with his girlfriend, witnessed by his frequent burglar. When the girlfriend has left, Jimmy discovers the burglar, and after some fighting, knocks him out cold. But instead of alerting the police, he ties the burglar to his sink...

Comment: Somewhat odd movie, interesting idea for a story. Mostly a drama with small comic traces. I had hoped for more comedy, and also missed more story about the cat, that made it to the title, but has an extremely minor part in the story. Good effort by the cast, but nothing more. An average movie experience.

5/10

P.S. This film ain't funny

[vagrantfilms · 4/10 · 25 October 2002]

Well , so Steve Guttenberg got a hold of a great Play, and managed to adapt it, into a watered down, ham fisted Grand standing star vehicle for Himself. Now I like Steve-o (I'm a huge Short Circuit Fan), and was excited at the Prospect of him adapting this, but boy oh boy did this get wattered down. But props for getting AJ Benza to play a Nelly Queen, I loved that, just not this film.

Meh

[culwin · 6/10 · 11 August 2022]

Steve Guttenberg and Lombardo Boyar are great, and probably are the main reasons for watching this. The other actors are good too, but these two dominate most of the film. It starts out interesting enough, but before long it's just Steve and Lombardo, for a loooooong stretch of the movie. It gets kind of dull after awhile. And ultimately, none of the problems introduced are really resolved by the end. Not a great movie overall, but then I've seen a lot worse.

Not quite the character I read in the novel

[mindnbody · 3/10 · 5 January 2005]

Having recently read James Kirkwood's novel, I was interested to see the movie, which received much film festival exposure not too long ago. Although I'd never seen the play, I found the novel engrossing: sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes squirm-in-your-seat uncomfortable. Still, the story of a man who appears to have so much going for him -- steady acting jobs; beautiful, successful girlfriend; great best friend; fabulous (and cheap) apartment in NYC; and, yes, a loyal cat -- who finds himself experiencing devastating setback after setback really held my attention.

While I think that Steve Guttenberg's adaptation was actually commendable -- e.g., having Jimmy interview Eddie in order to provide exposition for the burglar's character -- I cannot help but wonder if the Jimmy Zoole that he wrote was an entirely different character than the one I read. The Jimmy Zoole that I envisioned was more of a neat, conservative, draw-inside-the-lines type of guy. That is, boring. However, Guttenberg's portrayal showed only a very narrow part of Zoole: the needy, unhinged and sleep-deprived man who refused to be burgled one more time. Unfortunately, because little of the character's history made it into the screenplay, the impression that I got was that Zoole was always a sad-sack. And that's what doesn't make sense to me: how could such a desperately miserable man have ever occupied that amazing loft, or won the affection of such a smart and beautiful woman, or had such wonderful friends (not shown in the movie)?

I'm curious to see how versions of this story are played out on the stage. Perhaps my read of the novel differs from most. Nonetheless, I was sorely disappointed by the film, in spite of the powerful performance by Lombardo Boyer.

It all works out in the end

[tulsastorm · 7/10 · 11 December 2003]

Jimmy is still getting over the death of his best friend. His one-man show gets the axe. He's being evicted from his apartment. His girlfriend leaves him for another guy, and his cat dies. He's been burglarized 2--now almost 3 times--this month. Eddie the divorced father turned gay burgler picked the wrong day to mess with Jimmy.

After having wrecked my car this week, enduring some rotten weather, and a handful of other minor complaints, I watched this movie. I realized, like Jimmy, that it could be much worse, but everything works out for the best in the end. This isn't the best (or worst) movie, but it is worth the warm, fuzzy feeling you get at the end.

Lucky Cat!

[jimbeaux101 · 2/10 · 30 April 2004]

Question: How many unlikeable people can you fit in one film?

Answer: As many as appear in P.S. Your Cat is Dead.

Rarely has a movie with such potential turned out so badly. The acting is atrocious. The usually adept Steve Guttenberg, who also directs this debacle, is, to put it kindly, horrid. The once magnificent Shirley Knight is reduced to a bad cartoon character. The rest of the cast should remain nameless.

This tale of a down-on-his luck actor/writer on New Year's Eve confronted with a gay burglar who's ripped him off many times before just ain't funny, and it's not even fun!

Even the direction is off-center. Filmed in closeups, with odd angles and missing body parts, this is a splash of color with no substance and nowhere to go.

I guess this is supposed to have a happy ending and we're supposed to end up wiser. I'm not. Just older. Oh, and P.S. - the cat is dead! P.P.S. The cat is lucky!

Guttenberg definitely puts the noir in film noir.

[xxxneon · 7/10 · 15 January 2003]

(spoilers)

Poor guy-he's having a bad day, on New Year's Eve, no less. But that's typical karma for Jimmy Zoole (Steve Guttenberg). Come to think of it, he had a pretty bad year, too, even by bad-aspiring-actor/writer standards. Yes, life has kicked him hard and repeatedly in his not-so-golden globes. Trust me, if the highlight of your year is a one-man show of Hamlet with puppets, you're in need of some serious help.

Guttenberg tells us all this in the opening voice-over, piquing both our interest and our sympathy. Well, WHAT ELSE can go wrong? we wonder. Plenty. His best friend died a while back and his girlfriend Kate (Cynthia Watros) is leaving him, moving out and spending New Year's Eve with new beau Fred (Tom Wright) instead. Ouch! And that's just the start of Jimmy's misery. Did I mention he's being evicted? All he wants to do is go home, make a TV dinner and go to bed. Uh uh. Before we're done, his cat dying will seem like GOOD NEWS, relatively speaking.

Kate walks in on a burglary, the third to hit Jimmy in recent months (yep, same guy each time). Eddie the thief (Lombardo Boyar) astutely hides in the closet while Kate leaves a Dear John letter (with that bummer of a P.S.). Then Jimmy comes home and they get into a fight about his Aunt Claire (Shirley Knight), his liking to be alone and a couple dozen other things.

So Kate leaves. Then Jimmy finds Eddie hiding under the bed and just plain loses it-he ties up Eddie (he's so pathetic, he doesn't even have rope and duct tape to do it properly). Then he steps out to put in an obligatory appearance at his aunt's party. She gives him his monthly support check but balks at providing front money for any more writing projects (good move, I say).

Number one on Jimmy's angst list is the fact that Eddie previously stole the novel he wrote. To make up for that, when he gets back, he proceeds to interview the guy (I told you he wasn't thinking straight). Eventually, they arrive at a sort of camaraderie, kind of a male Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. He comes to regret inviting over Crazy Carmine (A.J. Benza) and a couple of his pals. I'm not gonna say what THEIR idea of "fun" is, but it makes Jimmy's previous tales of woe pale by comparison.

Watros is ideal as the kind, misunderstood, yet subject to random rants and raves girlfriend. Alas, she's onscreen less here than in an episode of Titus; but considering what goes down in that apartment, perhaps that's for the best.

Guttenberg utilizes a nice, slow pacing throughout, the soothing jazz and opera strains playing a nice counterpoint to the building tension. I was left wishing the relationship between Jimmy and Eddie, two opposites that somehow attract, had been explored further. Maybe in a sequel-P.P.S. Your Girlfriend's Still Gone, perhaps. The confinedness and isolation of the apartment are palpable and reminiscent of Rear Window. In this sordid downward spiral of a tale, Guttenberg definitely puts the noir in film noir.

Not even a "NICE TRY" for this one.

[doned88 · 1/10 · 29 January 2003]

I never walk out on a film (well, hardly ever). But this one prompted me to do so often..and finally I left.

The original play, I had seen in San Francisco many years ago and I remembering laughing and thoroughly enjoying the performances. However, it was so long ago, I can't remember who the actors were.

Guttenberg's first problem is looking depressed. He can't do it without looking like someone trying to imitate a monkey's mouth. His forced emotion is both false and nearly laughable.

His rages of anger, however are totally believable and near demonic. If he is ever cast in a role as a demented killer, he'll do well. But as a depressed performer whose girlfriend has left him and whose apartment is burglarized and who's cat is dead.....sorry.

He also directed the film. If the performances of the other actors or the camera work is a reflection of his work as a Director, then I was impressed.

But it MUST be difficult for an actor to direct themselves. In this business where nobody dares say anything to a "STAR". That's a shame because he needed input regarding his acting.

OK, I acknowledge that by leaving the film about 3/4 of the way through I am subject to "but it got better" - "the ending was great" - "you missed the best part" type of comments.

I don't care. The rule of thumb for any form of communications is "get them in the first paragraph/ten minutes and you can keep them".

As for Guttenberg's adaptation of the original material (he cowrote the screenplay), it was a nice expansion of the original play which only had two actors and one set (I believe). The film added both cast and locations. One actor I began to like was the woman who plays his rich Aunt. I can't find her name among the credits on www.imdb.com however.

It's only because I liked the original play, that I stayed that long. And I'm glad because AJ Benza plays a nelly queen according to the credits. And I can't stand AJ Benza let alone ANYONE playing a stereotype nelly queen in features.

Cudos ? to Steve Guttenberg for getting this play filmed however. It's a success just by existing I guess. And it does make one look at him without thinking of Police Academy films.

But ........ don't bother!

Doesn't work

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 16 July 2006]

Jimmy (Steve Guttenberg), a failed writer and actor, comes home on New Years Eve to find his girlfriend has left him, his cat has died and a gay burglar (Lombardo Boyar) is robbing his place...for the third time that month. He captures him, ties him up and things get strange.

James Kirkwoods' play was an off-Broadway hit in the 1970s. I never saw it but I read the script and it was wonderful. This film comes far too late--the play was very much of its time. The gay character (which was pretty revolutionary when the play came out) is old hat by now and the movie feels washed out. Basically the comedy doesn't work. Boyar is VERY good in his role but Guttenberg (who can be good) was pretty bad. Maybe both directing and acting for the movie was too much. The two actors have no chemistry at all (even though Boyar is trying). The movie isn't unwatchable...it's just no big deal. Also Guttenberg's apartment was WAY too big and beautifully decorated for a starving artist. They also (badly) changed the ending of the play.

So it's worth seeing for Boyar alone. Also he's got guts--he spends half the movie tied down with his pants cut wide open showing his back side. I give it a 7 for him alone.

A Gem of a Film

[donwc1996 · 30 October 2011]

This film has without a doubt the most hilarious scene any movie has ever had. I laughed so hard I nearly hurt myself. I had no idea what to expect when I ordered the DVD online - the only reason I got it was because Steve Guttenberg was in it and I absolutely LOVE him - is there anyone more adorable in the movies than Steve? I don't think so. In fact it is his adorable nature that works so well in this film. It's such a contrast from the dark side that threatens to overwhelm the adorable side. It's hit and miss whether the good or the bad will win out and you are kept at the edge of your seat because you are with him 100% and you support whatever he does because he has a right to do it. Am I vague enough? Have I whetted your appetite to see the film? I have been a Steve Guttenberg fan ever since I can remember. He really has a unique quality that no actor in film has and that quality is what made him a star. The supporting cast is also superb - everyone of them - but it's Steve who really rules the roost. And you love him every minute.

P.S. Your Career Is Over!

[Faceoff941 · 1/10 · 10 August 2006]

Honestly this is some of the worst garbage I have ever seen. No one wants to see Steve Guttenberg anymore (not unless its in Police Academy 100). The fact that not only did Steve Guttenberg star in the movie, he directed it as well makes me wonder who out there put their money into producing this. There really are some stupid idiots out there if I can realize this is the first five seconds I see this and they actually go out and spend thousands of dollars to make sure that this actually gets made. There is no way to revive Steve's career so I suggest that someone do the world a favor and pull the plug on him. This movie should really be titled "P.S. Your Career Is Over!", because that is the obvious truth to all of those who have seen this sorry piece of trash. I'm sorry Steve, but do us all a favor next time and stay home.

Wonderful adaption of James Kirkwoods novel/play

[thepetshopboy · 10/10 · 17 July 2002]

Just saw a screening of this at Outfest. Despite it being based on one of my favorite novels (Kirkwood also wrote A Chorus Line) I was a bit disturbed to see 80's cheeseball actor Steve Guttenberg (he of Police Academy fame) as the director and star. Let me be the first to say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the film wonderful but Guttenberg's against type portrayal of a down-on-his luck actor who begins to doubt his heterosexuality in the face of tragedy managed to completely make me reevaluate his acting prowess. His hissy fit in the scene where he finds out his girlfriend is leaving him for another man is absolutely hilarious as are his comic interactions with his burglar/prisoner (Lombardo Boyar) which are both touching and funny. All in all a very good adaption of a very good book...one of the better independent films of the year from Steve Guttenberg of all people...who would have thought it?

Howard Stern fans keep on the lookout for one-time Howard sidekick/E! Scandals host/NY Gossip Columnist AJ Benza in a over-the-top turn as a gay hairdresser who tries to rape Guttenberg...LOL... hilarious!

Can be Entertaining

[danxo · 7/10 · 26 March 2016]

Can the worst of enemies become friends? It will make you wonder after seeing this film. Jimmy (Steve Guttenberg)has the worst day of life - getting fired, losing his girlfriend, and finding his apartment ransacked (again), only after a heated argument with his soon-to-be ex, he finds the burglar that ransacked his apartment - twice in a month - hiding under his bed..

In his zeal of capturing "Eddie" - his "gay" burglar as it turns out, Jimmy plans to torture him..during the impending New Year celebration, only to find that things just do not go this way.. And Jimmy finds himself in hotter water.. all with a twist near the end as He (Jimmy) sees something in himself that may have a future..

horrible experience

[jeremy_moffitt · 1/10 · 24 November 2003]

Supposedly a "dark comedy", P.S. has very few moments considered comic, or even enjoyable. The "plot" relies too heavily on characters trying to one-up each other and play off each others insecurities. The few scene breaks from the room where most of the movie takes place are disjointed. Some of the scenes seem like they were included more to try to make the viewer uncomfortable than to advance any sort of story or develop character. We sat through the movie out of a morbid sense of curiousity, and agreed en masse (about ten of us) that it was time out of our lives we unfortuantely cannot get back.

Ineptitude killed this cat

[grahamclarke · 8 December 2003]

Steve Guttenberg has always exuded a certain likeability which he carried through many money making mediocrities. It's always intriguing when a performer takes a surprising direction in his career especially when that direction is clearly a more meaningful one.

It was with a lot of goodwill that I approached "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead" which Guttenberg not only stars in but directs as well. However, as the movie progressed so did this goodwill fast begin to fade.

The cardinal mistake for Guttenberg was in taking on the role of director. As an actor he acquits himself fairly well, but his directorial ineptitude pretty much sinks this project. The cast of fairly unknown actors have moments of embarrassing amateurism. Even the much experienced Shirley Knight, in a small role, seems terribly ill at ease.

It's a great pity, for in the hands of an accomplished director this could have been an entertaining and even moving film, which unfortunately it remains very far from being.

Bad bad bad

[noblush-1 · 1/10 · 31 December 2004]

To start with, Blockbuster had this as a comedy. Wrong! The premise of the film, in my opinion, was about a 30-some single man who has no real idea of where he is going with his life, but his girlfriend knows what she wants and wants somebody with the same desire. A burglar is captured by crazy Zoolie, who just happens to still be mourning for his best friend that died several months ago and can't get on with his life. The burglar is captured and tied down, and in the conversation between Zoolie and the burglar, Zoolie discovers the burglar is gay, etc. Nothing sexually gay happens, but the implication is there and at the end, Zoolie frees the burglar and the next day the gay burglar returns. The intimation I saw is that Zoolie really was gay. I don't rent movies about gays as I do not approve of nor like their lifestyle. I dislike the lack of warning on the disc cover warning potential viewers of homosexual implications.

I will be getting a free movie from Blockbuster under their happy customer policy since I am unhappy about the movie.

what a waste

[crywardski · 1/10 · 13 July 2005]

i wish i could give this movie a negative score, because its one of the worst movies I've ever seen. i feel like a sucker for paying $3.79 to rent it at blockbuster, and the only reason I'm writing this comment is to save anyone from spending their money on it. if you really want to give someone $3.79 for wasting two hours of your life and ruining your day, at least rent something with someone attractive in it, because none of the characters in this movie are even nice to look at! its a double whammy!! all of the characters were boring and self-involved, you could really just walk in to any fast food restaurant and ask a fry cook if they wouldn't mind you following them around for a couple hours in exchange for a few bucks and not sacrifice any entertainment.

Just read the book, PLEASE

[gumbussy · 1/10 · 20 September 2008]

I was quite excited when I saw that someone finally decided to film my favorite book of all time. Upon further review, I became scared because:

1. It was VERY independent.

2. It starred Steve Guttenburg?!?

3. It was in the discount bin at my Blockbuster.

With much fear, I paid the $2.99 for the DVD & put it in my machine at home. What followed was constant disappointment. Bad casting. Bad acting. Poor use of the small budget it had. The only believable performance was by the fool from 'E' Network. I reached a point where I realized I would have hated this movie even without my prior knowledge of the story. I truly believe having this movie made was a labor of love for Mr. Guttenburg, but alas, not all love is beautiful. This film is a truly unwanted public display of affection.

A disappointment.

[caseymac1969-1 · 3/10 · 23 June 2022]

Sadly, the movie doesn't come close to matching the brilliance of the book. As a stand alone, it's just okay. As an adaptation, it is terrible. I was a fan of the book for 20 years before the movie came out. I was very excited to hear it was being made into a movie. I really like Steve Guttenberg but he couldn't save this project.

Sal Mineo would have been honored..GREAT!

[salmineo · 10/10 · 18 April 2004]

I am the owner of the official website of the great, late actor, Sal Mineo. I rented this as Sal was starring in the hit play shortly before his murder, which is now this film, and I was curious. I am impressed! Lombardo Boyer plays the role Sal was playing, and gave me an idea of what Sal's performance was like in the play. Boyer is great! Steve Guttenberg is great here too, who also adapted this to film and directed it. I am suprised it wasn't released by a bigger studio! The credits dedicate the film to SAL MINEO!! Bless you, Steve.

Had to shut this off

[rebeccal89 · 1/10 · 27 November 2014]

This is one of my favorite books, I've read it over twenty times, I know it like he back of my hand. Naturally, I was very excited to see a film adaptation. Boy did my excitement die down fast.

The opening scene was a dead giveaway. It wasn't very important in the book nor the movie, but why couldn't they at least get the "fleet enema" scene right? It's supposed to give you a feel for how the movie will be and they could't spare an extra minute to get it right.

The casting was terrible. Jimmy is supposed to look so handsome, tall, neat, a 38 year old man who passes for 32, not looking like he's in his late 40s or early fifties. Not to mention is face the whole time is either "woe is me" or his "acting" was just bad, not like the character at all. I've seen high school kids act better. Where's Vito Antonucci and who the hell is Eddie Tesoro? Jesus, they couldn't even get the names right. I don't even want to get started on Kate or Aunt Claire.

About halfway through, I had to shut it off. Sitting there for half of the movie was even too long. A kindergarten class play has better acting than this movie. Honestly, this shouldn't have been a movie, but rather a late night series, if on screen at all. Hollywood directors really should read the books carefully and try to connect with the characters before they cast.

I don't recommend this movie to anyone, it wasn't funny, it was sad to watch. If you want a good laugh, read the book.

I really don't like it :)

[dany_ylg · 1/10 · 24 October 2005]

In the middle of the movie, I stopped it, and then I begin to search after him on the IMDb site because I couldn't believe that it is a comedy. After that, the ONLY REASON for continuing to see the movie was that I observed that on my open DC I began to start download Fedora Core 4.Seriously, now I don't want to offense somebody but that is my opinion. Please excuse me if I was too mean. Dani from North Coreea. The next few lines (about 4) are just because this site wanted at least 10 lines. So now I have 8 lines, in conclusion I only have to complete 2 lines (after my poorly mathematic). I don't understand why you put this limit of 10 lines. Don't you hear about express the idea in just a few words? K, now I gave you more than 10 lines. Dani, upset on the movie that I saw tonight. Have a nice day!

... And so's this adaptation

[YAS · 3/10 · 28 April 2008]

I first saw this as a play back in the '70s, and after a few productions here and there that were always funny and rewarding, I began to regard "PS Your Cat Is Dead" as one of those perfect plays, like "Importance of Being Earnest," that can survive even the worst casting and direction.

Alas, Steve Guttenberg's little self-directed vanity production has proved me wrong, as he manages to pretty much kill the humor by grabbing center stage and then not doing much but occupying it. The play isn't really about Jimmy Zoole so much as it is about the events that occur, the burglar who triggers them, and, to a lesser degree, the puzzled /discomfited ex-girlfriend who just wants to get out of there. Unfortunately, Guttenberg has pushed all of these elements into the background so as to claim more of the limelight for himself, and then, just to really put his "stamp" on it (mark it with his scent?) he makes the "dump" apartment upscale and chic and throws out the gay elements that provided the play's best twists. When restrained by a good director, Guttenberg can be a charming and entertaining actor, but with no one to keep his ego in check, he's just a smug, aging bore.

Ah well, we can always hope that someone will someday do a remake that gives James Kirkwood's play the presentation it deserves.

This guy has the worst day in his life and comes home to find it just got worse, his place got robbed and the burglar is still there. He catches the burglar, ties him up and tortures him.

[splice-5 · 10/10 · 18 January 2003]

Funny stuff. I laughed my ass off. I went in on a whim and I was glad that I did. It was a real emotional roller coaster. I couldn't make up my mind with what they were trying to say with the ending, but aside from that it was fun.

Small, personal movie --very like an off-Broadway play.

[catman47 · 8/10 · 22 August 2003]

This is a small film dealing with people going through breakdowns of various relationships. The main character is on the verge of being evicted from his apartment, having his girl-friend leaving him for another man, learning that his feline companion has died from a urinary infection at the vet's, and being burgled for a second time in two day's.

Steve Guttenberg does a super job as Jimmy, the main character. In fact, the entire cast does excellent work, especially, Ms Watrous, as the Jimmy's girl friend, and Lombardy, the young actor who plays the burglar.

The sense of outrage and loss which Jimmy feels comes across powerfully, as he takes his frustration out on the captured burglar who is bound and strapped semi-nude over the kitchen sink. What could have become ludicrous becomes very touching as each of them slowly realizes that they have much more in common than they could ever have realized. They are each others salvation! (Actually, it seems that the core of this awareness has been edited out because things happen a little too quickly! Several lines don't make sense)

I would say that the film does not go far enough in conveying the emotion that is developing between Jimmy and the burglar. There is a holding back which does not seem realistic. Even on the special feature section of the DVD the cast was responding to the final scenes and began shouting out comments as to the lack of physical expression between the two men.