Customer Reviews

Neil Simon's London Suite

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The most redeeming segments of the show were the one's between Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Clarkson. They had been divorced for eight years and she had become a big TV star and he had gone off to Greece with a gentleman friend. They clearly loved each other still, but the bi-sexuality of Grammer clearly made the situation impossible. Their scenes together were funny, sad, heart warming and in the end joyous and hopeful. It is worth seeing just to watch their scenes together.

The other three relationships in the story bordered mostly on slapstick and were not well constructed. The Madeline Kahn, Richard Mulligan relationship could have been really funny and heart warming but missed the mark.

The other two relationships, Julia-Louis Dreyfus/Jonathan Silverman and Michael Richards/Julie Hagerty, had their moments but could have been done better.

One highlight throughout the show was the hotel manager. He had some great lines and facial takes that were really funny. Somewhat reminiscent of the late John Gielgud.

I admit I am probably somewhat less critical since I was able to see it free on a local cable channel, maybe you will be as lucky as I was.

Don't even think of buying this DVD for a buck and a half, new or used. The film is a turkey, a television attempt to revive a failed play. Imagine a Neil Simon play without a single laugh, without a semblance of wit, without a glimmer of insight into the human condition. And you have London Suite. Why go into the details of the story? It isn't Plaza Suite or California Suite. If you think the agonies of a man with a bad back are funny, this is made for you. Poor Madeline Kahn, being reduced in her mortal illness to taking a part in this disaster.