Palais Royale (film)
Palais Royale (alternative titles Smoke Screen or Smokescreen) is a 1988 Canadian comedy film.
| Palais Royale | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Martin Lavut |
| Produced by | David Daniels Lawrence Zack |
| Written by | Hugh Graham |
| Screenplay by | Hugh Graham, Joanne McIntyre, David Daniels. |
| Story by | Hugh Graham. |
| Starring | Kim Cattrall Matt Craven Kim Coates Dean Stockwell |
| Music by | Jonathan Goldsmith |
| Cinematography | Brenton Spencer |
| Edited by | Susan Martin |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes[1] |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Plot
This dark crime comedy is set in 1959 where Gerald Price (Matt Craven) is a newcomer to Toronto. He competes with mobster Tony Dicarlo (Kim Coates) for the affections of Odessa Muldoon (Kim Cattrall). Meanwhile, Michael Dattalico (Dean Stockwell) is eager to expand his organized crime business in Toronto.[2][3] Much of the action takes place in the art deco dance hall of the title, a historic building set on the shores of Lake Ontario.
The film does feature a nice turn by Cattrall channeling Marilyn Monroe as a gangster's moll before her departure to the U.S. and fame in Sex and the City.
Cast
- Kim Cattrall as Odessa Muldoon
- Matt Craven as Gerald Price
- Kim Coates as Tony Dicarlo
- Dean Stockwell as Michael Dattalico
- Henry Alessandroni as Dominic
- Victor Ertmanis as Sal
- David Fox as Bob
- Brian George as Gus
- Sean Hewitt as Mr. Gillis
- Michael Hogan as Sergeant Leonard
- Helen Hughes as Mrs. McDermott
- Sam Malkin as Sam
- Dee McCafferty as Officer Nichol
- Robin McCulloch as Rick
- Mario Romano as Joey
Release
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 1988, then given a general Canadian release on 12 May 1989.[4][5] The film was also released under the titles Smoke Screen or Smokescreen.[6][7]
What the critics said
'There is humour in Palais Royale, if you don't mind Toronto in-jokes.' – Paul Townend, Cinema Canada
References
- "Palais Royale". Ontario Film Review Board. 27 April 1989. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- Laycock, John (15 September 1988). "Crime comedy taints Toronto the Good's halo". Windsor Star. p. D11.
- Goddard, Peter (12 May 1989). "Wimpy Mob no threat to Toronto the Boring". Toronto Star. p. D17.
- Quill, Greg; Adilman, Sid (12 September 1988). "Everyone loved movie - except the directors". Toronto Star. p. C4.
- Dafoe, Chris (12 May 1989). "Out of step at the Palais Royale". The Globe and Mail. p. C1.
- Catchpole, Terry (23 November 1990). "Smokescreen (1990)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- "Palais Royale". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2 February 2012.