Customer Reviews

The Telephone [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I vividly remember the very first time I saw this about 15 years ago. I was NOT well!

This is a chilling expose' on the potential pitfalls of excessive denial. It follows the exploits of a down-trodden actress who is obviously behind on just about everything but most importantly, her telephone bill. There are only about 4 people in the whole film, Whoopi, Elliott Gould, his blond companion, and the telephone man.

This would be an eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent Twilight Zone episode because the first time I watched it, I was completely taken aback by the ending.

This is a wooooooooooooooooonderful showcase for that sorely underappreciated talent that is Whoopi. It is intense, surprising, poignant, heartbreaking, and laugh-out-loud funny.

A tour-de-force!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE TELEPHONE features the one and only Whoopi Goldberg front and center, essentially delivering a one-woman show (with some assistance from an owl and a goldfish) and has a genuine twist ending that you will never see coming.

Vashti Blue (Goldberg) is an eccentric, out-of-work actress who depends on her phone for everything she needs. We follow her story for one crazy night of mixed personalities and hijinks, learning along the way that this woman is in fact teetering on the very edge of her sanity. Solid support is provided by Amy Wright, Elliott Gould, Severn Darden and John Heard.

Goldberg herself regards this film as the worst in her career (though I'd personally put MADE IN AMERICA in that spot). She sued the filmmakers and tried her darndest to have the film pulled but to no avail. It's not as bad as she'd have you believe. This film features her in fine form and I enjoy revisiting it often.

Although, no one may have like this film, I still enjoyed Whoopi's performance. It's a very dark comedy. I've heard that Whoopi didn't like the script for this film and tried to back out, but couldn't because she was under contract. That may be why Whoopi's performance wasn't as well received by the critics.

I also think this Film is a play... and it's a good one too. Unfortunatelly it is a play made for Europe (or Off Off Broadway...) The whole concept of the movie is brilliant. Whoopy shows diverse personalities in a detached from reality actress with no job... and wait untill you get to see the end... When will this movie be released again ????

I agree with the other two reviews. Don't waste your time watching this. I couldn't handle it till the end, so I was never amused. I rented it only because Whoopi was in it. Don't make the same mistake.

Anyone who appreciates one-person shows needs to see this...
Anyone who appreciates psychological thrillers needs to see this...
Anyone who needs be sanctimoniuos and subscribe this as theatre knock-off, needs to leave...
Anyone who needs to post the spoiler needs to leave...

A movie for anyone who appreciates an actor giving their all no matter what the budget; no matter what the credits!

This movie is not for everyone, particularly not for those looking for Whoopi Goldberg's trademark "speak up to authority" personality and humor. The play focuses on Goldberg's character, is very serious and pretty unusal. Has the quirk of a Twilight Zone episode but with a much narrower appeal. I liked it, but I don't expect too many to. I liked it as a "character study" and for the excellent acting and the ways the play (it's a play, in my view) take you by surprise. I've been trying to get a copy since I saw it when it was first released.

If you liked "Jumping Jack Flash" or "Fatal Beauty," don't see this. If you enjoy film that will stretch and challenge your psyche (not TV-style, teen mentality comic drivel), you may find this worthwhile. This is Whoopi in the style of her old stand-up routines -- her in-your-face, don't-be-so-stupid style that she, sadly, has long since abandoned in favor of commercial success. The classification of this work as "comedy" does it and viewers a true injustice.

I loved this movie and its unexpected ending, kind of like 'The Sixth Sense', you never see it coming. It could happen to anyone.

Ok.. i dont care what anybody thinks about this movie( including Whoopi) i love this movie from begining to end its soooooo funny, complete whoopi, surprising ending that give the movie a complete twist that u dont see coming.the road to struggling and making it in a tough city is al wrapped up in the movie... very funny, crazy, wacky...and just plain crazy in the full picture that really makes u think....... i seen this movie when it came out ad i was hook from the first 15 mins,,....it worth viewing of whoopi's early work...and if yur a fan u can not have this in your collection...... u have to have it!!!! get over it Whoopi...yur great in this movie!!!!Whoopi - Back to Broadway (The 20th Anniversary Show)