The Getaway (1994)

The Getaway 1994 poster

Universal Pictures
Starring:
 Alec Baldwin, Michael Madsen, Jennifer Tilly
Directed by: Roger Donaldson

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

Synopsis: A remake of the 1972 Steve McQueen film. Doc McCoy (Alec Baldwin) and his wife Carol (Kim Bassinger) find themselves on the run when a large robbery goes awry.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): One can debate whether or not elements of this film in any way improved upon the original film but in one instance there was a definite improvement, and that is the casting of an adorable tabby kitten to play the part of Kitty. The kitten has such a screen presence that his (or her) part was expanded upon that of the original.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table with tabby kitten Kitty on chest

Kitty first appears when an injured Rudy (Michael Madsen) takes hostage a veterinarian named Harold Carvey (James Stephens) and his wife Fran (Jennifer Tilly). The kitten remains on Rudy’s chest during their first interactions.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table with tabby kitten Kitty on chest

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen with tabby kitten Kitty on chest holding gun on Harold and Fran

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table pointing gun with tabby kitten Kitty on chest

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table holding gun at Harold James Stephens with tabby kitten Kitty on chest

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table with tabby kitten Kitty on chest

The kitten is a real scene-stealer and even gets so comfortable that it falls asleep on Rudy’s chest near the end of the scene.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table with tabby kitten Kitty relaxing on chest

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen lying on table with tabby kitten Kitty sleeping on chest

This time Kitty is also clearly visible in the scene in the car in which a food fight breaks out. Wisely the kitten jumps into the back of the station wagon when the chicken and fries start to fly.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen in backseat of cat with tabby kitten Kitty walking on seat behind Fran Jennifer Tilly and Harold James Stephens

The Getaway - tabby kitten Kitty jumping into back of station wagon behind Rudy Michael Madsen

The most notable scene in which the kitten is given more screen time is when Rudy and Fran are in a hotel room lying on a bed. Fran is feeding Kitty some food. They keep calling for Harold to come out of the bathroom.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen on hotel bed with tabby kitten Kitty and Fran Jennifer Tilly

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen on hotel bed with tabby kitten Kitty and Fran Jennifer Tilly

When Harold doesn’t respond, Rudy picks up the kitten and carries it to the bathroom door.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen at bathroom door with tabby kitten Kitty

Going into the bathroom, Rudy finds that Harold has hung himself. He walks past Harold, placing Kitty on the dead man’s chest to cling in midair.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen holding tabby kitten Kitty while looking at hanging body of Harold

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen with tabby kitten Kitty hanging from dead man Harold's chest

The kitten eventually makes its way to the floor as Rudy calls to Fran that it is time for them to leave.

The Getaway - tabby kitten Kitty on bathroom floor beneath Harold's dangling feet

Kitty is only seen briefly after this, poking out of the cardboard box Rudy carries into the hotel in El Paso.

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen carrying tabby kitten Kitty in box with Fran Jennifer Tilly

The Getaway - Rudy Michael Madsen carrying tabby kitten Kitty in box with Fran Jennifer Tilly

Cat Cattle Call:  There are also numerous cats in cages in the Carvey’s veterinary office. The white cat with the calico markings on her head is a bit of scene stealer, too!

The Getaway - Fran Jennifer Tilly entering room with cats in cages in background

The Getaway - adorable cat in cage in background behind Jennifer Tilly

Final Mewsings: Cat actors know how to expand upon their limited roles.


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