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A co-production of PBS’ American Playhouse and Showtime, this 1984 made-for-television version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof presents an unedited visual document of the play. But it’s missing a certain something in the translation. As a Williams’ fan it’s an absolute treat to see a filmed version of the complete play. While I love the film version with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, it does take a certain amount of the sting out of the play by neutering the overt dialog about the possible homosexual relationship at the center of the story. But the main problem I have with this version is how lazily filmed and shoddily acted it can be in parts. Oh, don’t get me wrong, Jessica Lange is all fiery, neurotic, carnal glory as Maggie. And Rip Torn and Kim Stanley deliver the best performances as Big Daddy and Big Mama, especially Stanley as the naïve, tough and burdened matriarch of the family.
But Tommy Lee Jones as Brick is a terrible casting decision. As an actor he is limited in the scope and roles that he can play, and alcoholic, possible homosexual with a combination of daddy issues and a guilt complex isn’t one of them. His performances mostly just lies there not doing much of anything while Lange throws herself head first into her scenes. And the direction is lazy, never really escalating the tension, paranoia and claustrophobia that we’re supposed to feel in the household by the time the play comes to its emotionally draining conclusion. Elizabeth R was a series of filmed plays, and it’s direction managed to break free of the some of the inert and stuffy direction that sometimes happens when they point-and-shoot at a literal stage. But, ultimately, there’s more good than bad here. Even if the 1958 film version is an abridged version it's a more spirited and engaging reenactment of the play than this version.
