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Noises Off

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Noises Off

PG-13

Released Mar 20, 1992

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Hired to helm an Americanized take on a British play, director Lloyd Fellowes (Michael Caine) does his best to control an eccentric group of stage actors. During practice sessions, things run smoothly. However, when Lloyd and his actors begin a series of performances leading up to a Broadway premiere, chaos ensues. Star actress Dotty (Carol Burnett) is quickly passing her prime, male lead Frederick (Christopher Reeve) has no confidence, and bit actor Selsdon (Denholm Elliott) is rarely sober.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

It unavoidably loses some of its brilliance on film: much of the fun was the suspense of seeing live actors survive the demands of the slapstick. But Bogdanovich's frenetic transplant supplies so many belly laughs it seems ill-spirited to complain.

Feb 9, 2018

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Apr 18, 2003

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Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a frequently hilarious yet increasingly erratic comedy...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 22, 2024

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Sexual innuendo in farce about actors putting on a play.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 11, 2017

Full Review

David Kaplan

Kaplan vs. Kaplan

Rated: 2/5

Mar 1, 2008

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Horror fan 4

One of the funniest movies I've ever seen. That plate of sardines was funny throughout the movie. Ritter and Reeve was my favorite performances. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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TJ H

Somehow I missed this movie my whole life, despite being a fan of theater and comedy. The amazing cast pulls off the best farce, even beating Frasier’s ski lodge episode, my old standard of farce perfection. I have no idea why everyone doesn’t give it 5 stars. Some say they think the movie isn’t as good as the play but that’s no reason to grade it down imo. If you want a good old-fashioned comedy that’ll give you belly laughs, this is it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Bruce L

Hilarious. Every time I see it I am surprised by how much I laugh. a real tribute to old school farce comedy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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Richard H

I either saw this on the stage or somehow it just feels predictable. I'm not a big fan of Christopher Reeve or John Ritter, although I typically love Carol Burnett. It consists of a lot of sight gags and slapstick humor, and I think Michael Caine overacts in this film. I lot interest less than halfway through.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

Full Review

Alec B

It comes pretty close, closer than I anticipated, to recapturing the brilliant and hilarious energy of the play. Of course even a master like Bogdanovich can't quite get it there. Also the movie is hurt by the wrongly triumphant ending.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Philip L

One of the funniest films I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Excellent timing between the actors and some wonderful talent, now gone from us, at their peak. Just brilliant on every level.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Carol Burnett

Dotty Otley

Michael Caine

Lloyd Fellowes

Denholm Elliott

Selsdon Mowbray

Julie Hagerty

Poppy Taylor

Marilu Henner

Belinda Blair

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Synopsis

Hired to helm an Americanized take on a British play, director Lloyd Fellowes (Michael Caine) does his best to control an eccentric group of stage actors. During practice sessions, things run smoothly. However, when Lloyd and his actors begin a series of performances leading up to a Broadway premiere, chaos ensues. Star actress Dotty (Carol Burnett) is quickly passing her prime, male lead Frederick (Christopher Reeve) has no confidence, and bit actor Selsdon (Denholm Elliott) is rarely sober.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Producer: Frank Marshall
Screenwriter: Marty Kaplan
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1992, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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