The strongest achievement of The Cat's Meow may be the performances, especially those of Kirsten Dunst (Davies), Edward Herrmann (Hearst), and even Eddie Izzard (Chaplin).
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
15 Oct 2009
fresh:
The '20s-set pic is given considerable bounce by a splendid cast, led by Kirsten Dunst in an eye-opening perf as Marion Davies.
– Derek Elley,
Variety,
18 Oct 2008
fresh:
Featherweight but fun.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
As the story progresses, the tension dissipates, probably because once Bogdanovich has set his wheels in motion, he just lets them spin.
– Mark Caro,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jul 2002
rotten:
Despite all the closed-door hanky-panky, the film is essentially juiceless.