Under the Volcano (1984)

Under the Volcano poster

Universal Pictures
Starring: Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset
Directed by: John Huston

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

Synopsis: Geoffrey Firmin (Albert Finney) is a former British consul living in Mexico who is wallowing in an alcoholic binge his former wife Yvonne (Jacqueline Bisset) hopes to allay by her return.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): When Yvonne returns to the couples’ home in Mexico, she spies a gorgeous silver tipped Burmese cat sitting on the floor.

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset picks up Burmese cat Oedipus

She scoops the animal up and lavishes affection on the cat, asking Geoffrey if he thinks the cat remembers her. He assures her the cat does.

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus

The cat’s name is Oedipuss, which is rather a delightful pun.

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus with maid Concepta approaching

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus over her shoulder

Yvonne holds Oedipuss throughout the following scene.

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus while looking at dead plants

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus with Albert Finney in background

Later in the film a neighbor complains to Geoffrey about the cat’s incessant yowling and threatens to kill Oedipuss if something isn’t done. Geoffrey assures the neighbor that Oedipuss was only yowling for Yvonne. Oedipuss is not seen again.

Under the Volcano - Yvonne Jacqueline Bisset holding Burmese cat Oedipus in lap