by Mark Murton

Also Known As: The Ultimate Solution of Grace Quigley

Directed by: Anthony Harvey

This review contains an Implied Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Elderly Grace Quigley (Katharine Hepburn) witnesses hit man Seymour Flint (Nick Nolte) in action. Learning his identity she coerces him into agreeing to kill her, since she feels she has no reason to live but lacks the courage to do it herself. However Flint quickly develops a fondness for her and is unable to do the deed. Instead they start assisting in the suicides of Grace’s friends who no longer wish to live.

Kitty Cameo: The first target under this arrangement is Harvey Jenkins (William Duell), and Grace invites Seymour to his farewell party, but when he arrives he finds five other guests, all of whom wish to avail themselves of his services; Dorothy (Paula Trueman), Sarah (Frances Pole), Homer (Walter Abel), Sam (Truman Gaige) and Emily (Elizabeth Wilson). Sarah cradles her fluffy tabby cat as Grace informs Seymour that “Sarah’s deaf, and so’s her cat.” (This isn’t actually followed through as in all other scenes she has no trouble hearing people speaking at normal or low volume.)

Another guest soon arrives, Muriel (Kit le Fever), who puts on a show for Harvey as the others look on.

When the time comes the four victims (Emily having changed her mind, at least temporarily) gather at Homer’s house as Seymour prepares their demise. Grace suggests they indulge in a sing-along to keep them distracted.

Implied Kitty Carnage Warning! Grace slips quietly from the room as they sing a hearty rendition of When Irish Eyes are Smiling. At the funeral service tribute is paid to the four humans as well as Sarah’s “faithful cat Winifred.”

Final Mewsings: Just because you think life is no longer worth living don’t assume your cat feels the same way.

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