Noises Off (1992)

A stage director (Michael Caine) is frantically trying to get his Americanized English farce up to snuff but during the play's tech rehearsal, it's clear the play just isn't jelling. Peter Bogdanovich has one bona fide masterpiece to his credit, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, but the rest of his output is all over the place from good (MASK) to awful (THEY ALL LAUGHED). Bogdanovich doesn't have the knack for broad comedy. His screwball farce WHAT'S UP DOC? is pretty much a dud. That NOISES OFF works as well as it does is a credit to the premise and its expert cast of farceurs. Essentially, we're seeing the same act done three times in three different cities but each time with a new perspective as the play's cast change liaisons and alliances. I love farce myself but I'm not sure Bogdanovich does. Still, anyone who has ever appeared in a play will either smile or shudder at the shock of recognition of how the backstage rivalries, shenanigans and last minute changes play out here. But if you're not a fan of farce, material like this may well wear you down before it gets to the end. Kudoes to the wonderful cast: Carol Burnett, Christopher Reeve, John Ritter, Denholm Elliott (in his final film role), Marilu Henner, Julie Hagerty, Nicollette Sheridan and Mark Linn Baker (MY FAVORITE YEAR).