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California Suite Reviews

1978
1 hr 43 mins
Drama, Comedy
PG

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Adaptation of Neil Simon's stage hit about intertwining stories connecting five couples staying at a Beverly Hills hotel. Among them: a divorcing duo; husband-and-wife actors; a pair of vacationing doctors and their families; and a philander caught in the act by his spouse. Maggie Smith won a Best Supporting Oscar for her role as the actress in town to hopefully pick up an Academy Award.

An all-star bitch fest, slickly served, but finally monotonous. The quartet of stories are weaved together more or less, with the Caine/Smith segment the most successful because the actors realize the value of comedic understatement--this kind of wordplay requires enough assurance to make it look as though you're not working. The Fonda/Alda sketch is interesting only because Fonda's character is such a welcome relief from her usual gung-ho over-achiever. Matthau and May are an acquired taste--your move. And the Cosby/Pryor sketch is so vile, you can't believe it even made it past an editor. Smith won an Oscar for her deft portrayal of an Academy Award nominee. Truly, a mixed bag.