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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :- I'm glad I saw it., 23 July 2000 Author: roarshock from Oregon USA
Flicking the TV, I caught this film somewhere near its beginning. Having no idea of what it was or what it was supposed to be, I got strangely caught up in it. It's not great, but it is unusual... and that's saying something nowadays. I see here at the IMDb that most people don't like it. Hate it even. However, to get a better idea of how good or bad other people think it is, I suppose I would have to screen out those people who would hate ANY film that consisted of essentially only one person talking. It would probably be appreciated better by those people who like live theater; it has that quality to it. Still, it's not great and I don't think I would find it worth the money and effort to go out somewhere to see it. But on TV or as a rental it's worth seeing, interesting enough in its own odd way. I'm glad I caught it.
6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :- Call back later!, 12 December 2001 Author: Robert Mofford from Vancouver, Canada
Love it or hate it, it's impossible to remain neutral about this movie. It's kind of like watching a train wreck-tough to look at, but equally tough to tear yourself away from. One thing its detractors point out is that the story is just not movie material, and they do have a point. This piece would play far better as a stage play or on TV, but it is totally unworkable on the big screen. Whoopi is one of the greatest talents of our generation but even she can't make this premise work. Since it more or less all takes place on one set, it does become claustrophobic. Still it does have its moments- Vashti Blue is definitely one sick puppy but she's still fascinating. This part is an actor's dream. And in lesser hands than Whoopi's this could have been a total disaster. It would have been easy to turn the whole part into a grotesque caricature but Whoopi, pro that she is sidesteps that. She makes the character oddly appealing. A definite wack-job, yes but also a very touching one. You definitely feel what this woman is going through, and almost wish you could help. And that ending? Whoa. I definitely did NOT see it coming, and afterwards I felt like I'd swallowed an ice-cream cone whole. I won't give it away, but suffice to say it's VERY disturbing. Personal taste will have to dictate its level of success.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :- Into the depths of insanity, 22 December 2006 Author: stevel-28 from United States
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie The Telephone and was very happy to be able to add it to my collection.While many criticize it as being slow, boring, and uneventful, I found it to be a thought provoking look into the depths of insanity and loneliness.The entire movie takes place inside of Vashti Blue's (played by Whoopi Goldberg) apartment as she gives you a look into the life of a person who, aside from the company of an owl, finds herself destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, which has driven her insane.If you're looking for action/adventure, avoid it. If you're looking for something unique that will make you laugh and leave you thinking, then definitely watch it.BTW, those that think it was horrible and that it's nothing but someone talking on the phone, obviously didn't fully watch the movie; the story has nothing to do with talking on the phone (yet at the same time it has everything to do with it).
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- This is one of my favourite Whoopi Goldberg films, 14 August 2005 Author: Robert Riley (drriley@cogeco.ca) from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Frankly, I'm surprised by all the negatives that I have heard about this film, including (and I don't know if it is true or not) that Miss Goldberg so disliked the piece of work that she sought to have its release blocked.There are some classic lines/phrases in this film, that I have remembered since first seeing it approximately ten years ago -- and it's worth noting that I have seen it many times since, and enjoy it every time. Whoopi's stand-up comedic talents shine in this production. Those talents become even more evident to the viewer at the conclusion of the film.This, along with Whoopi Goldberg Live on Broadway, is among my favourite work by Miss Goldberg -- both can be difficult to find in movie rental stores, but are worth searching for, or special ordering. I would hold The Telephone to be equal in comedic and entertainment value to Jumping Jack Flash.
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :- Like being a fly on the wall in a lonely woman's life, 21 January 2000 Author: JakersWild from Missouri, USA
While I won't reveal major plot points here, some plot issues are mentioned, so consider this a spoiler warning. If you want action, lot's of human interaction, romance, or explosions, this movie is probably not for you.It is largely Whoopi Goldberg talking on the telephone (of course) and to a neighbor's wall. But if you've seen Whoopi Goldberg's early on-stage work, she draws heavily on her ability to become a unique character in a moment with apparent ease. At times she can almost seem schizophrenic her demeanor changes so fast.What this movie boils down to is a mostly lonely woman, who's only strong connection with the outside world seems to be the telephone. If you've ever gone through a lonely time in your life, you may identify in some moments with her character. And I totally got the humor, and thought it was great.This is one of those movies that is definitely better when watched with someone though. If only to have someone to turn and give puzzled looks to at some of the odd happenings.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :- Trainwreck Whoopi Comin' Down the Tracks!, 28 May 2007 Author: shark-43 from L.A. CA
Sorry, usually much can be written off as "difference of opinion" but there is no way anyone can think this is competent, let alone good. And I'm not even talking this thing is so fantastically bad that it enters the realm of good/bad - it's just plain bad. Awful. Talented but famous hard drinking stoners, Terry Southern and Harry Nillson must have consumed great amounts of booze and drugs to put this thing to paper - it plays like a bad college play that someone high for the first time might consider "deep". Goldberg is a struggling actress who lives with a live owl and a goldfish - who have the misfortune of having to listen to this whole trainwreck. Whoopi calls people endlessly and shouts at her next door neighbor thru the wall and performs characters. There is not one accent she nails - in fact her bad attempts at accents (Indian, Irish, Jamaican, etc.) are stunningly off. At times it seems they just said to Whoopi - "do whatever you want, what the hell...." So she grins and dances to reggae - not entertainingly mind you. The high level of comedy is when Elliot Gould stops by as her agent and she farts on him to chase him out of the apartment. Seriously - she calls it The Dance of the Seven Flatuances and pretend farts on him to chase him away. And yes, wow, dude, what a twist ending - she turns out to be really insane because the phone co. guy comes by to get the phone telling us it has been disconnected for months. Oh wow - you MEAN she was just BABBLING away and no one was there? Wow - now it truly was a waste of time. Oh and then she stabs John Heard to death because he was going to take her phone. That's it. I would say it is the worst piece of crap Whoopi ever made but her dinosaur cop movie makes me wonder...
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :- Great movie. Hope to see it on DVD someday, 11 April 2006 Author: Jan Peter Plet (Filmfreak2002) from Denmark
I saw this movie on TV the first time, but got in about 15 min. into it so naturally I started hunting for it on video. I finally found it and have been watching it many times. Whoopie Goldberg gives a heartwarming/-breaking performance as VashiBlue, whose main contact with the surrounding world is her telephone and her answering machine. She is obviously a lonely person, living with an owl and a goldfish, but does get company once in a while and loves to argue with the neighbour, who constantly complains about her and threatens to contact immigrations to have her kicked out. The ending comes as a total surprise and I couldn't help crying after I saw it in full the first time. I still do, if it's been a while since I saw it last. Definitely a movie to see and I hope it will be released on DVD soon, region 2, since I live in Denmark.
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :- Fantastic One Woman Show - NOW ON DVD !, 13 October 2005 Author: (indybored@aol.com) from Midwest USA
I am so glad to find there are other people out here who liked this film as much as me. It is NOT the worst movie ever as some have posted. It is an amazing tour-de-force for the talents of Whoopi Goldberg. I was surprised to learn this piece was not originally a stage play that was adapted for the screen. It it written like a solo play, and the entire film takes place basically on one unit set ( a small studio apartment in NYC ) If you are not a fan of theatre, you probably will not like this movie. (and I mean real theatre, not Mamma Mia or Phantom of the Opera kind of theatre) This movie moves slowly. It has the pacing of a live one person show. There are no big action scenes. There are no special effects. As in theatre, the story is told through the dialogue, and you actually have to pay attention.If you are not a fan of Whoopi, you probably will not like this movie. Apart from a few brief scenes, the entire film is just her.If you enjoy film experiences that capture the feel of theatrical performances, or if you are a Whoopi fan - don't miss this one ! I just found it on DVD recently, released from Top Ten New Media, but no extras or features of any kind, just the movie. BTW the film is actually 78 minutes, not 96 minutes as listed on this site.
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :- I Didn't Hate it, but I Pretty much Regretted Watching it. I'll Explain why., 11 July 2007 Author: tonymurphylee from USA
* out of **** Rip Torn's directorial debut is an extremely unpleasant and disturbing mind-study of a woman who speaks on the phone. I will spoil this film in this comment, and so i think it would only be smart for only people who have seen the film to read this. Other wise, if you don't want to see the film, do but don't care if the plot is ruined for you, or haven't seen it but already know the ending, don't read this comment.Okay, now that this is out of the way, I'll tell the film. It is basically a film in which Whoopi Goldberg plays a woman with a pet owl who speaks on the phone with different people. it goes on like this for the whole film until the end when a telephone man shows up at her apartment and the audience discovers that the phone is disconnected. the woman then proceeds to murder the telephone man, showing the audience that she is not only neurotic, but a very sick and crazy homicidal woman.I believe that the film was made to be an interpretation on one event in which we've all had and make it into something not quite worthy of film. Then it falls back on itself by showing that the woman is crazy and that up until the ending, the audience has been misled. The trick is to show a quirky woman who the audience feels a little sorry for before blowing us out with showing us a dark side. Note that we were misled, and not lied to. The people who see this film will most likely feel lied to and will therefore hate the film. the audience who feels that the ending is clever and unexpected will like it for it's clever pacing, although maybe not immediately.Me, I'm going to have to say no. I only recommend this film to die hard fans of Whoopi Goldberg. This is one of her best performances. i don't feel that the people who see this will likely get the unfunny joke or the twist, or whatever it's supposed to be. It was interesting to watch and Whoopi Goldberg is undeniably charismatic, but I didn't think it was worth seeing. Oh, and one more thing. PLEASE don't go into this thinking that it's a comedy. It is not. It is very disturbing and not at all funny.rated r for violence.
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :- Solo Craft, 27 January 2004 Author: Dvd Avins from Kendall Park, NJ
This is the best example of a solo actor portraying characters that I've ever seen. Tracy Ulman was also good in a somewhat similar way at about the same time, but Whoopi does a clearly better job here.I agree with someone who said it doesn't work on a large screen, at least I'm pretty sure it wouldn't for me. I saw it on cable a long time ago and it worked.SPOILER BELOW: - Anyone who says it's just a woman talking on the phone may be describing their experience while watching it, but if that's what they think *after* watching it through, then they just weren't paying attention.
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