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California Suite (1978)
Director: Herbert Ross
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Quick and varied comedy, highly suited to Neil Simon's machine-gun gag-writing. The four sketches about guests in a Hollywood hotel range from out-and-out banana peel slapstick (Cosby and Pryor) to tragi-comedy of a superior kind (Fonda). Inevitably Fonda provides the film with its centre, giving another performance of unnerving sureness. Also on the credit side is a bedroom farce of epic proportions from Matthau and May. The other vignettes are a bit glum.Author: DP
User reviews of this film
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- Jack Taylor said...
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Posted on Dec 17 2007 03:40
California Suite offers something for everyone, for those who tend to like the serious, there's Jane Fonda delivering a performance that should have been noted and celebrated for its subtlety and style. Alan Alda doesn't do much to help, but he doesn't get in the way either. Maggie Smith cannot be outdone by anyone in the business and here she shows why people will pay almost anything to see her. Miss Smith should just learn to say to all of us, You're welcome. Michael Caine, as always, is class. Can the slapstick of Cosby and Pryor be outdone by anyone today, probably, but by Matthau and May, never.
The tone of the film is somewhat plaintive but in the end I found it hopeful and one can always use a dose of hope! - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Herbert Ross
Producer: Ray Stark
Cast: Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Bill Cosby, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Richard Pryor, Maggie Smith full cast
Duration: 103 mins
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