Watch Curtain Call

Curtain Call is a 1998 comedy-drama film directed by Peter Yates and starring James Spader, Polly Walker, and Michael Caine. The film revolves around a failing theater company that is struggling to stay afloat. The company is producing a play which is not attracting much attention, and its director has just quit. The producer, Stuart (Spader), is desperately trying to find a replacement for the director and also hopes to attract a big-time actor to play the lead role.

Stuart is a bit of a con man, and he meets up with a famous actor named Sir Charles (Caine) who has recently been released from prison. Stuart convinces Sir Charles to join the play as the lead, but Sir Charles has a few conditions of his own. He wants his girlfriend, Lily (Walker), to appear in the play as well, and he also wants to make some changes to the script.

As rehearsals begin, the tension between the actors and the director starts to build. Sir Charles is not happy with the script and decides to rewrite it, which causes chaos amongst the other actors who are unsure of how to handle the changes. Meanwhile, Lily's presence on stage is causing problems as she is not a trained actor, and her inexperience shows.

The film is a character study of the various individuals involved in the production. Stuart is a smooth-talking producer who is constantly trying to smooth over any issues that arise. Sir Charles is a famous actor who is trying to redeem himself after falling from grace, and Lily is an aspiring actress who is willing to do anything to get her break.

One of the strengths of the film is the strong performances from the cast. James Spader is particularly impressive in his portrayal of Stuart. He is a master at playing flawed characters, and Stuart is no exception. He is manipulative and deceitful, yet somehow manages to remain charming.

Michael Caine is also excellent as Sir Charles. He brings his usual charm and gravitas to the role, and it's easy to see why he is one of the most respected actors of his generation. Polly Walker is perhaps the weakest link in the cast, but she still manages to bring a certain vulnerability to the role of Lily.

The film is shot in a very old-fashioned way, with lots of close-ups and long takes. This gives the film a certain grandeur, and the scenes on the stage are particularly impressive. The play-within-a-play is a clever device, and it allows the film to explore the differing perspectives of the characters involved.

One of the film's themes is the nature of art and the role that it plays in society. The play that the company is producing is seen as being old-fashioned and outdated, and the characters are forced to confront the fact that what was once considered great art may no longer have any relevance today. The film also explores the idea of fame and the price that some people are willing to pay for it.

Overall, Curtain Call is an enjoyable film that is well worth watching. It's a character-driven piece that explores some interesting themes, and the performances from the cast are excellent. The film is a bit slow-moving in places, but it's worth sticking with it for the great payoff at the end.

Curtain Call is a 1998 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.