Or perhaps this movie should have been titled "Endless Arguing".
After watching this original made-for-television movie, I started to wonder just what on Earth everyone involved had been thinking? I can understand the CEOs at ABC nodding their heads in approval at reuniting actresses from the silver screen (I suppose Joan Collins would be included in that category). But what on Earth was Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins and Elizabeth Taylor thinking?
Okay, maybe Joan Collins knew what she was doing. After all, she did headline that hilarious 1978 film "Empire Of The Ants" and she did play Alexis Carrington for all of Dynasty's entire 80's run on television. Looking timeless as always, she spent the entire movie arguing with everyone who stepped in her path. Her wigs and wardrobe were fantastic. Her acting was a notch below embarrassing. The only slightly amusing thing about her character was that she called her British accent her 'Hollywood accent'.
When Elizabeth Taylor appears in the earlier part of the movie, her performance was reminiscent of the blunders she made at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. She appeared discombobulated, jittery and somewhat scary. No doubts, she is still in remission after her brain tumor operation, but she didn't have to appear in this dull telemovie to show it! I kept wondering how many takes the director had to make while she tried to memorize her lines. Half the time her accent changed from "Noo Yawk" to Australian. I love Elizabeth Taylor, but this telemovie exploited her for all she is currently worth. The most unfortunate thing is, the most laughs in this telemovie were during Elizabeth Taylor's scenes and the sad thing is, I don't think she was trying to be funny either.
Debbie Reynolds barely got enough screen time. She made several references to her ex-husband Eddie Fisher, disguising him as "Freddie". Most of the time she spent bickering with Joan Collins who kept trying to make a move on her husband, played by Peter Graves. I started to wonder what exactly her character meant to the movie's plot. She seemed to appear only to either get into an argument or break one up.
And last but not least, Shirley MacLaine. You might have thought after "Mrs Winterbourne", she would have changed agents. I'm sure whoever her agent is now will receive the full brunt of her anger after starring in this movie. She spends half the time portraying her real-life persona and the other half arguing with her co-stars. The sub-plot involving her gay son was written into the movie to bring out her emotional side. It didn't work. Considering that not even five minutes after she confides in her son about his sexuality, she's driving off in an automobile on hot pursuit of Joan Collins and Debbie Reynolds to engage in yet another countless argument.
Sure, there were a few referrals to each actresses' real-life issues, but it was really a tongue-in-cheek joke to appreciate among themselves. When Debbie, Shirley and Joan appeared on stage for their final performance, the build-up of anticipation was almost non-existent. I wondered at the time if this part was the big hurrah? They really didn't spend that much time rehearsing for the performance, and what scenes they did show rehearsing, they always ended up arguing. At the end, there was really nothing to appreciate or applaud for.
I felt really sorry for these gifted actresses. The story was tired. The jokes got old really quick and became tired. They deserve better than telemovies, and certainly better than this garbage. ABC should be ashamed of themselves. As was the plot in the movie, this was obviously nothing more than shameless corporate thinking to obtain ratings at the expense of good talent.
1/10
After watching this original made-for-television movie, I started to wonder just what on Earth everyone involved had been thinking? I can understand the CEOs at ABC nodding their heads in approval at reuniting actresses from the silver screen (I suppose Joan Collins would be included in that category). But what on Earth was Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins and Elizabeth Taylor thinking?
Okay, maybe Joan Collins knew what she was doing. After all, she did headline that hilarious 1978 film "Empire Of The Ants" and she did play Alexis Carrington for all of Dynasty's entire 80's run on television. Looking timeless as always, she spent the entire movie arguing with everyone who stepped in her path. Her wigs and wardrobe were fantastic. Her acting was a notch below embarrassing. The only slightly amusing thing about her character was that she called her British accent her 'Hollywood accent'.
When Elizabeth Taylor appears in the earlier part of the movie, her performance was reminiscent of the blunders she made at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. She appeared discombobulated, jittery and somewhat scary. No doubts, she is still in remission after her brain tumor operation, but she didn't have to appear in this dull telemovie to show it! I kept wondering how many takes the director had to make while she tried to memorize her lines. Half the time her accent changed from "Noo Yawk" to Australian. I love Elizabeth Taylor, but this telemovie exploited her for all she is currently worth. The most unfortunate thing is, the most laughs in this telemovie were during Elizabeth Taylor's scenes and the sad thing is, I don't think she was trying to be funny either.
Debbie Reynolds barely got enough screen time. She made several references to her ex-husband Eddie Fisher, disguising him as "Freddie". Most of the time she spent bickering with Joan Collins who kept trying to make a move on her husband, played by Peter Graves. I started to wonder what exactly her character meant to the movie's plot. She seemed to appear only to either get into an argument or break one up.
And last but not least, Shirley MacLaine. You might have thought after "Mrs Winterbourne", she would have changed agents. I'm sure whoever her agent is now will receive the full brunt of her anger after starring in this movie. She spends half the time portraying her real-life persona and the other half arguing with her co-stars. The sub-plot involving her gay son was written into the movie to bring out her emotional side. It didn't work. Considering that not even five minutes after she confides in her son about his sexuality, she's driving off in an automobile on hot pursuit of Joan Collins and Debbie Reynolds to engage in yet another countless argument.
Sure, there were a few referrals to each actresses' real-life issues, but it was really a tongue-in-cheek joke to appreciate among themselves. When Debbie, Shirley and Joan appeared on stage for their final performance, the build-up of anticipation was almost non-existent. I wondered at the time if this part was the big hurrah? They really didn't spend that much time rehearsing for the performance, and what scenes they did show rehearsing, they always ended up arguing. At the end, there was really nothing to appreciate or applaud for.
I felt really sorry for these gifted actresses. The story was tired. The jokes got old really quick and became tired. They deserve better than telemovies, and certainly better than this garbage. ABC should be ashamed of themselves. As was the plot in the movie, this was obviously nothing more than shameless corporate thinking to obtain ratings at the expense of good talent.
1/10