NOISES OFF. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich; written by Marty Kaplan; produced by Frank Marshall for Touchstone. Starring Carol Burnett, Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve. Rated PG-13.
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It would be possible, I suppose, for someone to find Noises Off not hugely hilarious and entertaining. But I think, in that case, that the poor soul in question would have to be in such a bad mood that nothing would seem humorous to him. Personally, I can't remember the last movie that made me laugh so uncontrollably.
From first to last a farce, and nothing but, Noises Off has an intriguing premise. It shows the amusing nonsense simultaneously occurring both on- and off-stage as a production of "Nothing On" is taken on the road and readied for Broadway.
It's a "naughty" British play, but by no means an objectionable one, and the same thing can be said about the movie. There's a lot of sexual banter in the dialogue, but it's good-natured and silly and difficult to be scandalized by. And 99 percent of the laughs are just good, clean fun.
The large ensemble cast is uniformly excellent, but what really makes the movie so successful is their perfect interactions and impeccable comic timing. Some of the bits are so complicated, so prolonged and so utterly delightful that they must have been choreographed much like dance numbers.
One of the major running gags, from rehearsal of the play and into performances, is the misplacing of essential props (usually the culprit is a plate of sardines). The cast of "Nothing On" may have trouble with details of stage business like this, but the cast of Noises Off never misses a cue (unless, of course, they're supposed to).
It's hard to single anyone out for special mention, when the whole cast is so good, but I particularly liked Reeve's character. He's a slow-witted matinee-idol-type who reminds me of the best of Clark Kent from the early Superman movies.
If you're looking for some good belly laughs with no social relevance attached, and no bittersweet sections to spoil the mood, you'll love Noises Off.
April 1, 1992