Soapdish (1991)

Summary

On a failing soap opera, the behind-the-scenes drama is more ridiculous than the show itself.

Director

Michael Hoffman

Downey Factor

Medium.

Character

David Seton Barnes, an apparently sex-starved soap producer.

Looks

Adorably geeky in power suits and black-rimmed glasses.

Performance

Fine. The character is not written to stand out.

Line

If she doesn't speak, we don't have to pay her as much. A homeless deaf mute. What could be more pathetic? God, I'm good.

Love & Sex

Pursues Cathy Moriarty, to no avail.

Dies, Gay or Villain

No, no, sort of.

Cast

Whoopi Goldberg, Sally Field, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Kline, Elisabeth Shue, Garry Marshall.

Connection

Cathy Moriarty in Hugo Pool.

Elisabeth Shue in Heart and Souls.

Michael Hoffman's Restoration and Game Six.

Kevin Kline in Chaplin.

RDJ Says

I want to take a modern-day Mephistopheles kind of angle on it. I want to make him more likeable than I am, which is pretty hefty. I make the mistake of stepping down to characters as opposed to shooting up. It's an ego thing to think, "This character is a little faction of me, a little of that, but not endowed with any of the things that make me me." This time, I want to make people uncomfortable liking this guy, knowing that, underneath, he really is still an asshole.

Time & Place

Present day (1991), New York.

Gossip

Downey suggested that his character have a urine fetish, but Michael Hoffman, usually open to suggestions from actors, said no.

In 2010, there was talk of a Soapdish remake focused on a telenovela.

Around 2019, there was also buzz about a Soapdish musical in London's West End.

Availability

Released in theaters 31 May 1991. On DVD in Regions 1, 2 and 4.

Foreign Titles

Argentina: Sopa de Jabón (Soap Soup)
Brazil: Segredos de uma Novela (Secrets of a Soap Opera)
Finland: Saippuakuplia (Soap Bubbles)
France: La Tele Lave plus Blanc (The TV Washes Whiter)
Germany: Lieblingsfeinde - Eine Seifenoper (Favorite Enemies - A Soap Opera)
Italy: Bolle di Sapone (Soap Bubbles)
Peru: Quien Rie al último Rie Mejor (He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best)
Poland: Babka z Zakalcem (Woman with a Raw Spot)
Portugal: Os Desvairados (The Frantic)
Russia: Soap Box (English translation)
Spain: Escandalo en El Plato (Scandal on the Dish)
Sweden: Älsklingsfiende (Darling Enemy)

Rotten Tomatoes

73% Fresh | 33 Reviews

Critical View

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The movie knows a lot about television, and has fun with such characters as ... the producer, who is played by Downey as a shameless liar who will blame anything on anybody just to protect his position on the show.

Desson Howe, The Washington Post: Downey plays his cartoonish role with understated success. When Field has a prima-donna fit at the costume designer, he walks up to the petrified costumer and says matter-of-factly: "You're fired." After a torturous moment, he gently adds, "Just kidding." ... Lines like this are amusing, but they pop instantly, like soap bubbles. For many, this will be just the ticket. But for those who cringe at shameless pandering, this movie will leave nothing but a soapy aftertaste.

Does It Hold Up

It hurts to admit it because Soapdish is an endlessly quotable sublimely ridiculous comedy, but it's a parody of a TV genre that is bordering on extinction, so sadly, it doesn't hold up so well these days.

2 Reasons to See It

1. Probably the most genuinely fun campy movie he's ever done.
2. Now that daytime soap operas are going extinct, you should be able to get history credits for learning about the days when they were still relevant.

Overall

An enjoyable culty comedy with a star-studded cast.

If You Like It

You might also like Heart and Souls (1994), Tropic Thunder (2008)

Photos

Video