Customer Reviews

Curtain Call [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Be prepared to laugh. It is always a joy to watch Maggie Smith and Michael Caine play off each other. They are so accomplished. James Spaeder does a very good job holding his own with these two. This is not the average love story. After all there is nothing average about a ghost couple with a history of fireworks in their relationship. They have a lot to teach, and do it well just being themselves. In spite of the fact that everything seems to go constantly awry, all that unseen "help", Spaeder's character proves to be a clumsy but apt pupil. Just a pleasure to watch.

A delightful romantic comedy with the talented James Spader, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, and even Sam Sheppard, it is set in Manhattan, with a lovely old home furnished in fabulous antiques, including two ghosts who were famous theatrical personalities in life. Spader inspires giggles with another of his always surprising comedic presentations, especially in his "fright" when the ghosts appear. The music is warm and the characters are rich. The dialogue is bright. The film offers a beautiful fantasy escape to upper class New York and a look into the publishing business - enjoy it with a glass or two of wine, and it will seem very believable.

I'll watch any movie that has Maggie Smith and Michael Caine together; their comedic chemistry is strongly reminiscent of William Powell/Myrna Loy. It's also nice to see James Spader in a comic role, which he handles quite well.

This is a very entertaining, light-hearted movie which wears well over more than one viewing. The only part of the plot that ever-so-slightly annoys (at least, it does me) is that the girlfriend, played by Polly Walker, never gives Spader's character a chance to explain; she always interrupts him, then runs away. But of course, that in itself provides some of the "conflict" in what would otherwise be a mere piece of fluff.

This DVD is worth purchasing for Caine and Smith alone, and also for those of us who love old-fashioned fun.

This film was funny and very different. Wonderful to see Maggie Smith and Michael Cain together with James Spader equally matching them in the acting department. A plesant enough way to spend a spare hour or so.

A Fun and Funny love story. Caine & Smith are fabulous as always. Recalls the Topper movie and TV series. It's great seeing James Spader in a comedic role again.

There are actually two romances going on here, although the younger couple, which consists of Stevenson Lowe (James Spader), a young and successful 4th generation publisher, and his girlfriend Julia have quite a time of it just trying to come together! She wants him to marry her, but the old home he has just purchased has a few resident ghosts whom he needs to deal with first. Because to some degree they have contributed to his rift with Julia, (she says several times "I just don't want this" in confronting Stevenson's seeming inability to commit himself) the ghost couple also go to great lengths to bring the two of them together. However, there is another woman in the picture, one which Stevenson likes but not romantically and, well, things gets good and complicated down this path. Meanwhile, the ghosts, Max and Lily Gale, stage performers in their previous lives, dead as they are, have much to work on in mending their own age old romance. The acting is superb. The customes are posh if adequate. The story is original and thoughtful, and warm, it feels real, in spite of the infighting spirits. And -- a big plus -- the language is clean. It's a feel good movie. It's a great movie, bound to become a classic.

James Spader in a refreshing light-hearted comedy??
Without nudity and lots of sex?? Is it any good?? YES!!
I was overly pleased with Spader's antics. I had no idea he was good with anything physical above the eyebrows (graymatter). And these supporting actors are without equal. It's a sweet, fun script that flies by which you'll have to watch again - and show it to friends.
JDB 'movie taster'

Caine and Smith are wonderful of course, but the script was not witty enough to sustain the plot.

Peter Yates `s career has had too much peaks and some lows . From his famous thriller Bullit in the far sixties to the Dresser ( his masterpiece to my mind) . His concerns have always turned around the inner dragons hidden in the intimacy of the most of the human beings .
In this time he recreates a funny situation in which New York ` s dressy guy will be haunted for two old specters in the New Year `s 1927 . Obviously he will be the one who watches them . Since the plot has many intersections with previous films , the masterful hand of Yates and this splendid cast gets to lead this film to a happy land .
Michael Caine , Maggie Smith , Marcia Gay Harden and James Spader and my dear reader as you well know I have not seen any film accepted by Mr. Caine fairly mediocre . So considering all the cards in your hand , how can you lose with this clever and easy going picture ?

This is a nice litte ghost story with M. Caine, J.Spader and Maggie Smith. It's not a scary story. Something to rest your mind.