"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was originally a successful play by Tennessee Williams, who had earlier created a sensation with "A Streetcar Named Desire". For the film adaptation, some changes had to be made to get past Hollywood censors, and to prevent Paul Newman from playing a character with homosexual overtones.
Newman plays Brick, a former football hero who has become an angry alcoholic. His wife is Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor), an aggressive Southern belle whose frequent attempts to seduce Brick are always rebuffed. They are visiting the mansion of Brick's father Big Daddy (Burl Ives), a wealthy, domineering man who has terminal cancer. Brick's grasping brother Gooper (Jack Carson) is also at the mansion, along with his pregnant, obnoxious wife Mae (Madeleine Sherwood) and their bratty little kids.
Although one would imagine that Big Daddy's estate would go to his wife Ida (Judith Anderson) upon his death, the plot has the brothers' families battling for the estate. Big Daddy despises Gooper and his family, but is also unwilling to cede everything to his other son, whom along with his marriage is deeply troubled. Also, the terminal nature of Big Daddy's illness has not been disclosed to him, and both he and his wife are in denial.
The story provides the frame for a script loaded with impassioned speeches and vicious arguments; the final outcome amazingly creating a happy ending with Newman's personal demons apparently cured. While never boring, the intense drama is sometimes overblown. Newman constantly drinks but, except for the opening scene, is never drunk. It is also difficult to believe Taylor's faith in her embittered husband, and that she would repeatedly throw her gorgeous self at him despite his rejection.
The film achieved strong commercial and critical success despite its excesses. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Newman), Best Actress (Taylor), Best Director (Richard Brooks), Best Adapted Screenplay (Brooks and James Poe), and Best Color Cinematography (William Daniels). (69/100)
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