I looked at this DVD for the first time in at least 5 or 6 years. I am a fan of the genre, but had forgotten about the film.
Looking back at it after all this time, I now understand what made this flick so forgettable.
Do not get me wrong, a couple of these type of ensemble movies are among my all-time favorites, including "The Big Chill" and "It's My Party." This movie, however, is nearly unwatchable in parts.
Sorry, but the casting of the entire Kline family to play....The Klines...was cringe-inducing. Similarly, the central characters are not believable from the get-go. The entire movie plays out as an actors exercise, with dollops of insider references sprinkled throughout to give everyone a sense of what Hollywood is allegedly all about.
I am not sure how many times the term 'self-indulgement' popped up in my mind while watching this, but it was my primary thought through the entire first half-hour. With a set-up this superficial, any of the developing drama was bound to fall flat. Who was there to empathize with?
The main reason I didn't rate this film worse is probably the performances of Posey, Hickey and Badie. Additionally, there were occasionally searing glimpses of narcissistic truth thrown in.
Honestly, though. I love a new age-type party, but watching the allegedly spontaneous performances at the celebratory portion of the evening, where the guests speak to the hosts was....how can I put this gracefully....making me glad I had not eaten before viewing it.
Considering my expectations for this sort of film, and the casting, it may be as disappointing a movie as I have seen.
Looking back at it after all this time, I now understand what made this flick so forgettable.
Do not get me wrong, a couple of these type of ensemble movies are among my all-time favorites, including "The Big Chill" and "It's My Party." This movie, however, is nearly unwatchable in parts.
Sorry, but the casting of the entire Kline family to play....The Klines...was cringe-inducing. Similarly, the central characters are not believable from the get-go. The entire movie plays out as an actors exercise, with dollops of insider references sprinkled throughout to give everyone a sense of what Hollywood is allegedly all about.
I am not sure how many times the term 'self-indulgement' popped up in my mind while watching this, but it was my primary thought through the entire first half-hour. With a set-up this superficial, any of the developing drama was bound to fall flat. Who was there to empathize with?
The main reason I didn't rate this film worse is probably the performances of Posey, Hickey and Badie. Additionally, there were occasionally searing glimpses of narcissistic truth thrown in.
Honestly, though. I love a new age-type party, but watching the allegedly spontaneous performances at the celebratory portion of the evening, where the guests speak to the hosts was....how can I put this gracefully....making me glad I had not eaten before viewing it.
Considering my expectations for this sort of film, and the casting, it may be as disappointing a movie as I have seen.