Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Review By Fallenlords

I have to say I was a little surprised to find no reviews about this film. To my mind this is somewhat of a ‘classic’ and it is one of my favourite films. Which overall is odd, because I am an action junkie not normally a fan of a film that is all ‘talk’.

This film is based on the original stage play by Tennessee Williams who is probably most well known for writing ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Although the film is based on the play it is not the same. Remember this is 1958 and although the play made references to the main characters homosexuality, this was dropped from the film version. Much to the disappointment of Paul Newman, who accepted the role based on the original stage play.

What I find wonderful about this film is the play was originally written with Burl Ives in mind for the role of ‘Big Daddy’. He starred in the stage play and reprised the role in the film. To have a part specifically written with an actor in mind adds a different element into the mix. Burl Ives was a fantastic all round performer, he won an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1958 for the film ‘The Big Country’. He recorded over 30 albums for Decca, another dozen for Columbia, having hits on both popular and country music charts. He basically did it all.

Madeline Sherwood also reprised her role from the Broadway production as Mae Flynn Pollitt. Mae is a rather annoying woman who keeps her husband ‘Gooper’, Bricks elder brother, under the thumb. Which I think adds even more strength to the final screen version.

Paul Newman takes on the role of ‘Brick’ an ex-football player and alcoholic. The opening sequence see’s Brick drunk, trying to take on the 100 metre hurdles – with disastrous results. Leaving him house bound with his leg in plaster.

Elizabeth Taylor plays the role of ‘Maggie the Cat’ who is fighting hard to regain the affections of Brick. After an incident between her and the now deceased ‘Skipper’, Brick’s best friend. Here is where the relationship between Brick and Skipper is a little shady, the homosexual element being dropped but still hinted at in a way.

Jack Carson plays the role of ‘Gooper’ the type of person that tries to please everybody except himself. A down trodden man but he has his heart in the right place.

Judith Anderson, plays the role of ‘Big Mamma’ who walks in the shadow of ‘Big Daddy’ and tries to fool herself that nothing is wrong. There appears to be little love between the pair, but underneath there is true affection.

The main concern for all the characters is the health of ‘Big Daddy’ (Burl Ives). He is a wealthy businessman and landowner, who built his fortune up from nothing. Unknown to him he is dying of cancer. But the other characters are aware of his situation and circle around like vultures ready to pick at the bones.

Only Brick has no concerns about the estate or the money. Which does not sit well with Maggie his wife who sees’s the whole thing going to Gooper and his family of ‘no-neck monsters’. Maggie, childless, views this as a major obstacle – no heirs to carry on the legacy.

What we end up with is interplay between all the characters that have their own concerns at heart. But the main story is about Brick and Big Daddy, their relationship. Right or wrong Big Daddy favours Brick but despairs at his current state – being an alcoholic. He is also concerned about the relationship between Brick and Maggie.

What this all leads to be is an open and honest conversation between father and son. For the first time both of them lay it all out in the open warts and all. This is probably the most poignant moment of the film. Here we understand the motives of Big Daddy and his reasoning. We get to know about Brick, Skipper and Maggie.

The film overall has one setting, the mansion house of Big Daddy. Because of this the film has the feeling of a play. As we have scenes reminiscent of a stage production. Dialogue for the most part is used as explanation not visuals. But the interaction between the cast is spell binding on times.

Burl Ives and Paul Newman are the show stoppers in this, both playing excellent parts. But the other performances really do support the interaction between the pair. I have to say there are solid performances all around and one worth noting is that of Elizabeth Taylor. She had recently lost her husband Michael Todd in a plane crash.

I must admit this is either a love or hate film, it either draws you in or it repels you. There doesn’t seem to be a half-way house with this one at all. You don’t for the most part hear people say this is an ‘alright film’. They either think it is great or think it is terrible.

What I would say is if you enjoy watching a play, you will probably enjoy watching this film. I give it 5 stars on all fronts. This is certainly not my usual taste in films, so I was actually surprised I loved it so much.