Eddie Izzard: 75%; Cary Elwes (now archived) - 50%

Two of the Tailors were lucky enough to see the premiere of Peter Bogdanovich's film at the Cambridge Film Festival this summer, and we're pleased to tell you that it's well worth the trip to the cinema. Set in 1924, it's based on true events surrounding the mysterious death of one of the guests on a cruise hosted by Hollywood media mogul, William Randolph Hearst. Amongst those on board are Hearst (Edward Herrman) and his mistress, silent movie actress Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst); producer Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes); and Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard). But as soon as the boat sets sail, it becomes clear that for many of the guests this is not merely a pleasure cruise - and love, betrayal, ambition and professional jealousy make for a very dangerous mix [Oooh, sounds like a new cocktail! - Ed.].

Eddie Izzard is an absolute revelation as Chaplin - he plays the role with charming, flirtatious intensity, especially when wooing Marion, but he also shows Chaplin's self-absorption. He is also surprisingly attractive with Chaplin's dark hair - I was amazed at how sexy he was! You won't be able to take your eyes off him, and if this pitch-perfect performance doesn't open doors for Eddie in Hollywood, I'll be very surprised.

Cary Elwes is carving out a nice little career for himself playing frustrated "golden boys" whose talent has never lived up to its early promise, and who have become corrupted by disappointment. For some reason, his patrician good looks seem to lend themselves to this sort of role. Here, as Thomas Ince, he is the model of professional desperation, clinging to his past triumphs but reliant on Hearst for any hope of a future.

The only criticism I have of this film is that its boat-bound set sometimes makes the film feel a little bit stagey. Having said that, the claustrophobic setting often adds to the atmosphere of suspicion and betrayal. It also seems odd to see Hollywood stalwarts like Kirsten Dunst, Edward Herrman and Jennifer Tilly in a film with British TV actors such as Ingrid Lacey (aka Helen from Drop The Dead Donkey), but everyone is so very good that you barely notice after the first couple of scenes. And with superb Brit actors like Joanna Lumley and Ronan Vibert thrown into the mix, you really can't fault the casting. You'll be entirely caught up in the story as it moves towards its inevitable, tragic conclusion.

Elegant, impeccably acted, fascinating and sexy, - all in all, The Cat's Miaow really is the cat's whiskers.