Noises Off... (1992)

Touches You

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

I don't know why this movie doesn't get the attention it deserves. The first three times I watched it, I spat my drink all over my shirt. All punchlines are perfectly timed, the cast is amazing, and you can watch it over and over again, because there are so many jokes you will miss when you watch it the first time. Try it out, you will not regret it and have many funny evenings.

Many will argue I am sure about whether another movie lives up to being a real comedy better than this one. But here are a few things to remember when thinking of what is comedic genius.1. An all star cast that uses simply their acting abilities, stage performances, and comedic talent to make this movie great.2. No uses of vulgar language, distasteful montages or dialogue to elicit a laugh. Simply the writing and antics are enough to make you fall on the floor.3. And lastly, no modern music, or score is used, this movie relies heavily on its actors and even in a quiet space you find yourself laughing at facial expressions, or inward fighting amongst its characters.As I said this movies relies on nothing more than its cast to bring you a comedy that at first might escape you. I promise you will want a second or third viewing and you will laugh every time.The late John Ritter is excellent, he seems to forget things and not finish any sentences and does it superbly. The late Christopher Reeve is so seriously funny, you will know what I mean when you see this. Carol Burnett does her thing as always. Marilu Henner really surprised me as she fits in so perfectly with these comedic giants. Nicollette Sheridan, Denholm Elliot, and Mark Linn Baker round up the cast and all make fine performances. What can we say about Michael Caine, even his anger is hilarious in this role.All in all, this is one comedy that you will be able to look at over and over again and never get tired of it. It's one of my top 10.

Who was it that said, "Comedy is all about Timing?" Well whoever said it must have just watched Noises Off, as it is probably one of the best examples of true comedy timing ever brought to the screen.It follows a troupe of actors attempting to bring a 'farce' to the stage despite the entire performance falling down around their ankles, as personal disputes, dodgy scenery, missed queues, and backstage accidents take hold.Michael Caine is delightful throughout as the humourless director, desperately trying to bully a reasonable performance out of his unhappy band of players, who include Christopher Reeve, John Ritter, Carol Burnett, Denholm Elliot and Nicolette Sheriden.The film is basically split into three parts, the first third of the movie shows us how the play should be performed, introducing us, the flies on the wall so to speak to the important lines, the queues, the nature of the farce etc, which we then relate to later on when it is destined to all go so wrong. Even this segment is not without its problems as we see fluffed lines, confusing prop issues and the basis for future disagreements between the cast and crew become apparent.Fast forward a few weeks and we see another performance of the play, this time all the action we see takes place back stage, in the wings and behind the scenery as the comical slapstick feuding reaches fever pitch. We can here the dialogue of the play on stage as the cast silently fight behind the scenes, with weapons, bottles and props, being passed from character to character as their off stage antics threatens their entrances and exits, their lines and the overall smooth running of the play.Another few weeks later we see the play reach Cleveland and it's way to its big Broadway opening and the cast have practically given up, ad libbing and bringing their off stage issues right onto the stage and into the audiences lap.The action is so fast paced that it is hard to describe just how great and funny this film is, it just has to be seen to be believed. And anyone who has performed on stage and perhaps even acted out a farce, will appreciate just how brilliant the whole cast were and how their individual performances were just spot on.A nice angle in which to look at this film is that it is a group of actors playing farce on the stage and not quite managing to get it right, yet their offstage antics become the most perfectly performed farce you will ever see.I defy anyone not to enjoy this film enormously.

I have seen this movie a number of times but I never left my feedback. But I have to say something on one of the most creative and innovative movies ever to be made. How they all can remember not only their lines, but direction and substance is phenomenal! Whether you want to get into theater or films you should, no, you HAVE to see this movie! It is amazingly scripted, acted and a laugh non-stop masterpiece! Ritter, Reeves and Elliot who are no longer with us (a crying shame for the entertainment industry) was impeccable, even when they mucked up. I wonder how much rehearsal and takes it took to get it right? Being an aspiring actress myself this will definitely go in my vault of favorites. Run, don't walk to your closest video store and BUY this movie! I PROMISE you, you will NOT regret it!