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Cast

Sally Field
as Celeste Talbert/Maggie

Kevin Kline
as Jeffrey Anderson/Dr. Rod Randall

Whoopi Goldberg
as Rose

Robert Downey Jr.
as Barnes

Cathy Moriarty
as Montana

Elisabeth Shue
as Lori

Carrie Fisher
as Betsy

Garry Marshall
as Edwards

Teri Hatcher
as Ariel Maloney

Paul Johansson
as Bolt Brennan

Arne Nannestad
as Burton White

Tim Choate
as A.D.

Kathy Najimy
as Tawny Miller

Costas Mandylor
as Mark

Robert Camilletti
as Actor

Cornelia Kiss
as Receptionist

Robert Camiletti
as Actor

Lora Kennedy

Ben Stein
as Nitwit

Marianne Muellerleile
as Housewife

Mary Pat Gleason
as Housewife

Michael Berkowitz
as Young Autograph Seeker

Amy Nabi
as Woman Shopper

Sheila Kelley
as Fran

Ivory Ocean
as Bartender

Benjamin J. Stein
as Nitwit

Barry Kivel
as Nitwit

David Byron
as Nitwit

Willie Garson
as Nitwit

Vince Melocchi
as P.A.

Brick Karnes
as Homeless Man

Penny Gumeny
as Fan

Wai Ching Ho
as Fan

Mary Thompson Hunt
as Fan

Phil Leeds
as Old Man

Herta Ware
as Old Woman

Dorothy Patterson
as Old Woman

Nico DeSilva
as Bus Boy

Armando Molina
as Bus Boy

Gino Lucci
as Bus Driver

Clive Rosengren
as Doorman

Leeza Gibbons
as Herself

John Tesh
as Himself

Stephen Nichols
as Himself

Finola Hughes
as Actress

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News & Interviews for Soapdish

Critic Reviews for Soapdish

Audience Reviews for Soapdish

• Feb 19, 2017

  I've honestly never understood the appeal of soap operas. At least the ways Americans do them, where they literally go on for fucking DECADES, with a revolving cast of characters. Repeating the same preposterous stories with only minor variations. Terrible overacting. I'm more familiar with Mexican soap operas. Trust me, they're just as bad, but, at the very least, their soap operas end up going for several months, episodes air five days a week. Or South Korean soap operas that only go one season which lasts 20 or so episodes. I think that's the best method, even though their style features a lot of melodrama, you have to come up with new stories every year. They may rely on some of the same storytelling tropes, but they still have to come up with new characters and situations to put them in. The American method is outdated and counterproductive. But the fact that the American soap operas being the way they are is what gives this movie its material to completely riff on the genre. Let's make no bones about it, this movie is in no way respectful to daytime soaps. It tears them a new one, quite frankly. Mocking them any chance they get. Whether it's the ridiculous stories, or the stars' self-inflated egos, to the conniving and undercutting of other stars in order to get a better spot on the show. So, in reality, hardcore soap fans should not ever, EVER watch this movie. Unless they have a sense of humor about some of the sillier aspects of their favored form of entertainment. But I think the movie does quite with focusing on the madness surrounding the soap, the behind-the-scenes machinations. This may not have been the best farce I've ever seen, but it's a pretty damn good one. But I'm also a little bit on the fence as to whether this is a really good 'good movie' or a really good movie. And I realize that that might not make sense to a lot of people, but it does to me. I just mean a movie that's good, but it's better than most every good movie you've ever seen. That's the easiest way I can explain it. Because, if I'm being honest, there are instances where this film is on fire when it comes to the satire. But I don't feel that it was consistently on fire to the point where I thought the film turned a corner. The movie really hits its stride once Jeffrey Anderson returns to the show he was forced out of 20 years ago by Celeste, the star. The movie is never bad prior to that point, as I do think it gets across how manic it must be to get one of the episodes of the show made what with all of the egos at play. Obviously, the film is gonna be prone to exaggeration, but I don't believe that writing and producing, not to mention dealing with actors and TV execs, daytime soap is easy or, quite frankly, enjoyable. Looks like it's more stress than it's worth. Then again, you could say that for any scripted television series, but I'm sure the problems are magnified when you air five days a week for decades on end. The film does capture some of that stress though, as I mentioned, in an exaggerated and infinitely more entertaining fashion. But, again, I just don't think the movie has the consistency it needed to turn it from a good movie to a really good one. The performances are great, though. Pretty much everyone in the cast kills it. I can't really single anyone out for praise because they're all great. So, at the very least, even if you don't end up liking the movie, you get to see some really talented actors cut loose and just have fun with the silliness of their roles and the overall narrative. Yes, I had my issues with this movie, and I've made them obvious, but I just had a lot of fun watching this even in spite of that. Of course, I'm not gonna ignore the problems under the hood just because I had fun watching it. I'm gonna point them out and say that, even with that, this is still a good movie and one I would easily recommend if you ever get the chance to see it.
  Jesse O Super Reviewer
• Mar 20, 2013

  Soapdish has the talented actors but they aren't doing much here. It offers about as much entertainment as the soap operas that it satires.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Oct 16, 2011

  With the immense talent in front of the camera, Soapdish should be a sure-fire homerun. The only problem is its not. The why is harder to figure out. There are a plethora of storylines revolving around the behind-the-scenes antics of a soap opera. Each of the actors overacts the hell out of their parts. It's entirely possible the problem is the subject matter isn't all that funny-even to fans of soap operas-and the story itself is better suited to a half hour, television format. Every twist and turn happens entirely too quickly, especially the final revelations in a live show at the end (a live soap opera? Really?). There are a few legitimately laugh out loud moments, but most only require a knowing nod and a smile. That's not what the movie is going for...is it?
  Jason V Super Reviewer
• Aug 10, 2011

  The show within a show concept is the thing here with the question being: isn't the business of making a show more interesting than the show itself? Played, as daytime television frequently does, larger than life ... the result is the guilty pleasure of this film. Fields and Kline are marvelous.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer

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