Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Ever since Elizabeth Taylor passed away earlier this year, I've had this movie sitting and waiting. When she passed away there was plenty of talk about her, and what movie she was most remembered for. More often than not, that movie was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I don't think I've ever seen her in a movie at all before watching this, but the strong dramatic nature of the film has kept me away this whole time, thinking it would be yet another aging film that just doesn't live up after so many years. Ever since my decision to knock out more classics lately, it was only a matter of time before I pressed play on this one. So what makes this the movie everyone remembers Elizabeth Taylor for? What makes this such a highly rated film? All that on the other side of the jump.


The story in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is about a family being torn apart by wealth, greed, and lies. Not just lies, but an unwillingness to accept the truth even when it's right before your eyes. The key players in this household are Brick (Paul Newman) and his wife Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor). It's clear that Brick can't stand his beautiful wife, but it's not clear why. She does everything for him and more, but he almost refuses to even talk to her, and certainly won't touch her, even though she begs for his love. Her only flaw seems to be that she hates his brother Gooper, along with his wife and ill mannered, bratty kids. She initially comes across as a bit of a snob, while Brick does nothing but drink in an attempt to escape the world around him. Gooper seems oblivious to his brat kids, and his wife dotes on them lovingly. But no one is as they appear, and there is much tension beneath the surface of everyone here. The main focus of their gathering being the birthday of their father "Big Daddy" (Burl Ives) and the secretive news of their father's cancer.

Elizabeth Taylor is young and beautiful, and the film makers know it!

While I didn't know what to expect from this movie when I started watching it, what I never expected to find was a deep dialog driven drama. And when I say "dialog driven" I mean it! Almost nothing happens in this movie except for the various characters talking, or sometimes yelling, at each other. All the characters are drastically different, and all have their own unique motivations and personalities. At first they play off the characters a certain way, but enough is left unsaid and slightly mysterious to leave you wondering. As the movie unfolded, I realized that almost none of the characters were initially what they seemed and they all grew or changed, for better or worse, as the film progressed towards the finale. One side note, in case I'm being too dramatic myself, don't expect any reveals that someone is a killer or something crazy. This isn't that kind of film.

Also, most of the film, apart from some short scenes at an airfield and a stop along the road, all take place in and around a massive plantation house. Even though the film doesn't go many places, all the rooms we see are clearly different, and it's obvious where they all are physically in the house. We always know where all the characters are at all times instantly, and there's enough movement through the house to keep the pace flowing. Not that it needs much help in that respect. With all the shouting and arguing that goes on, the movie is never boring.

Brick's wife and father are equally concerned about his non-stop drinking problem

The acting in the movie is genuine and personal. All the characters feel real with all their problems and issues. There are 6 primary characters, and not a single one is the same as another. Paul Newman is fantastic in this role, even if he never seems that drunk considering the amount of alcohol he downs. He has some very impassioned scenes in this movie between himself and his wife or his father. Elizabeth Taylor is also great, and I don't think I've ever seen her look so good. All my memories of her, are from when she was already older. She's like a different person in this, she's truly stunning! I was also impressed by Burl Ives, who plays the head of the family, known to most as "Big Daddy". The moments that he has to finally face his mortality are pretty powerful, and the honesty finally gets shines through to his son Brick who is disillusioned by all the falseness surrounding him. The father/son moments here are some pretty great moments, that's for sure. I found all the characters fascinating and I was totally engrossed with what was going on, even though the whole movie was essentially just talking.

Brink and his father finally see each other for who they really are

There are also plenty of questions that you want answers for, that will definitely get answered. Why does Brick despise his wife Maggie, and why does he drink so much? Why is Brick and Gooper's father so mean and obsessed with success? Why did Brick hurt himself trying to jump hurdles, drunk at 3 in the morning? And of course, when will all the lies stop? There is a great word is brought up in the movie, and it's repeated several times: Mendacity. It means lying, and lairs, and the whole concept of being untruthful. It becomes a key word, as this family is filled with it, as is the world. The theme comes back on more than one occasion. Some of the more interesting scenes are brief moments when one part of the family is loudly arguing about something that another member or two aren't expected to hear, but unknown to the screamers, those people walk by the door and can finally clearly hear the truth. The truth seems like such a simple thing, until you're in a situation that is nothing but lies.

I've been holding off for so long on this movie, so worried that it would be boring and old. In the end it turned out to be a great movie, filled with rich characters, and completely driven by a great script, great acting, and tons of character arcs, character development and growth. It's a rare film that can keep your attention solely with dialog, and almost never going anywhere. This is one of those rare films. I was never bored, and I was constantly impressed. If you couldn't have guessed by now, I would definitely recommend this movie. In fact I would strongly recommend this movie. I know most people won't bother with older movies, but I've been finding that there's a definite reason why so many of these films are held up as classics. If you're looking for a smart film filled to the brim with story and character, look no further than Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.