Watch Soapdish

In the 1991 comedy film "Soapdish," Sally Field stars as the neurotic, aging soap opera actress, Celeste Talbert, who still headlines the long-running daytime drama, "The Sun Also Sets." She's faced with the challenge of her career when the show's executive producer, David Seton Barnes (played by Robert Downey Jr.), decides to shake things up by bringing in Celeste's old flame, actor Jeffrey Anderson (played by Kevin Kline), to the show after a failed Hollywood career.

Celeste's fragile personality is tested when she discovers that she has been replaced as the show's leading lady with the younger, more attractive, but talentless Montana Moorehead (played by Cathy Moriarty), who has a feud with her ultimate goal of sabotaging her. Celeste struggles to find her footing in the face of all this new competition, while also dealing with her personal life backstage.

"Sopadish" is a hilarious send-up of the world of daytime soap operas as well as the cutthroat world of entertainment in general. The cast is talented throughout, with Field delivering one of her most memorable comedic performances as the soap actress who is taking things way too seriously. Kline is excellent as the charming yet insufferable Jeffrey, and Moriarty embodies the over-the-top diva that every soap opera needs.

Beyond the silliness of the soap opera industry, "Soapdish" also touches on darker themes such as fame, ego, and the lengths people will go to maintain their place in the limelight. As the show's leading lady, Celeste's obsession with her career and reputation come at the expense of her personal life, with relationships and friendships often taking a backseat to her soap opera character's needs.

The writing is sharp, and the movie features plenty of quotable lines and exaggerations that will have viewers laughing out loud. For instance, the character Montana Moorehead's infamous one-liner "I'm not a schemer. I just try to make all the stars align. Oh, by the way, would you like some cocaine?" - perfectly embodies the over-the-top, all-consuming nature of the industry.

Throughout the movie, the cast playfully skewer the industry's conventions while still staying lovable and relatable. Hollywood royalty such as Whoopi Goldberg, Carrie Fisher, and Teri Hatcher make memorable cameos throughout the film as segments of the cast and crew of "The Sun Also Sets."

As a comedy, "Soapdish" is a true classic, with its quirky cast of characters, over-the-top drama, and hilarious situations. And while the film has its fair share of ridiculous moments, it also serves as a loving homage to soap operas, those melodramatic daytime dramas that have endured for generations.

Overall, "Soapdish" is a fun, lighthearted movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's part of its charm. The film is an entertaining and hilarious satire that pokes fun at the absurdities of the entertainment industry, while still managing to convey a heartfelt message about the triumph of friendship, loyalty, and love in the face of adversity.

Soapdish is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 65.