“California Suite” is Neil Simon’s west coast version of his earlier comedy “Plaza Suite” (1971). Director Herbert Ross (“The Goodbye Girl” 1977) and screenwriter Simon have four storylines proceeding concurrently, with all characters bestowed with Simon’s usual rapid-fire gag lines.
The cast includes Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, and Dan Plato as visitors from New York. Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Gloria Gifford, and Sheila Frazier are the Chicago group. Walter Matthau, Herb Edelman, Elaine May, and Denise Galik are from Philadelphia. Michael Caine and Maggie Smith are an English couple in L. A. because she is nominated for an Academy Award. Ironically, Smith won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this role she has as the Oscar nominee! (Two other Academy nods went for Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction.) Richard Burton and James Coburn both appeared in uncredited cameos.
“California Suite” is a fast moving two hours that was a hit in theatrical release for Rastar and Columbia Pictures.
California Suite (1978)
cinema
My Review
“California Suite” is Neil Simon’s west coast version of his earlier comedy “Plaza Suite” (1971). Director Herbert Ross (“The Goodbye Girl” 1977) and screenwriter Simon have four storylines proceeding concurrently, with all characters bestowed with Simon’s usual rapid-fire gag lines.
The cast includes Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, and Dan Plato as visitors from New York. Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Gloria Gifford, and Sheila Frazier are the Chicago group. Walter Matthau, Herb Edelman, Elaine May, and Denise Galik are from Philadelphia. Michael Caine and Maggie Smith are an English couple in L. A. because she is nominated for an Academy Award. Ironically, Smith won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this role she has as the Oscar nominee! (Two other Academy nods went for Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction.) Richard Burton and James Coburn both appeared in uncredited cameos.
“California Suite” is a fast moving two hours that was a hit in theatrical release for Rastar and Columbia Pictures.