Review of Noises Off... (1992) by Joel S — 24 Nov 2010

A cast full of stars cannot shine much brighter than this one. In a hilarious story that depends just as much on visual timing as it does on quirky characters, this cast creates mayhem like it's their job (literally and figuratively).

Each character is so dynamically different from the next that it's like a visual circus. Michael Caine is perfect at portraying the frustration of a director whose show falls apart in front of his eyes.

Denholm Elliott appears in his greatest role (even better than Marcus Brody in Indiana Jones) and delivers each line with hilarity. Henner and Sheridan are beautiful and dynamically deliver their opposite roles, particularly Sheridan's clueless moments toward the beginning.

Reeve, Hagerty, and Baker all bring life to their characters as Carol Burnett is as ridiculous as ever, switching between accents at exactly the right moments. And the best of all is John Ritter, who masterfully delivers every line without finishing a sentence.

The timing of his line delivery is more important than anybody else's and he nailed it. I don't know how this film did not win any awards, especially for best cinematography during the rehearsal scene as it quickly follows the action occuring at each door on both levels.

Also, the timing is absolute perfection as the characters grab things from each others' hands and pass them off to the next person without the camera ever cutting away. This movie will have you in stitches and if you haven't seen it before, it needs to jump to the top of your list A.

S.A.P.