This film showcases so much talent from actors and performers that have now passed into Hollywood Valhalla: Paul Bartel, Ray Sharkey, and tragically, Rebecca Schaeffer who died at the tender age of 21, and would probably have blossomed into a graceful and beautiful actor. The cast is unlikely, however they work well together and seem to have fun doing it. There is harmony and refinement as they interact, making it seem as a dance. The make-out scene with Jacqueline Bisset, Ray Sharkey and a chocolate cake is passionate and sexy. Wallace Shawn is smug and manipulative as a troubled gynecologist. Arnetia Walker is a show stealer as the former porn star wife of a self-deluded playwright played by Ed Begley Jr.. Edith Diaz plays Rosa, the Aztec-descended maid who spouts the meaning of life with a cultural twist and, according to Beltran's character, has a dustpan loose. Then there is Darren the West Highland White starring as Bo-Jangles, the terrier with an affinity for black women. The scenes are well edited, and not the least bit clunky or contrived. I don't think this is Paul Bartel's best film, but certainly it has its moments. A must see for anyone interested in off-color sexy films. Paul Bartel's works are certainly not voluminous, but he gets an A+ for effort on this one. Paul, I read recently, was a little disappointed with the film. It didn't live up to his expectations, and the gay relationship between Beltran and Sharkey, which Paul had said he wanted to bring out more, is minimally, but expertly alluded. It is an amicable film, unpretentious despite its subject matter, and almost innocent in its portrayal of an elitist LA establishment. I will never turn down a screening.
20 Reviews
Funny, surreal satire on the classes in L.A.
funkyfry31 October 2002
Often laugh out loud funny play on sex, family, and the classes in Beverly Hills milks more laughs out of the zip code than it's seen since the days of Granny and Jed Clampett. Plot centers on two chauffers who've bet on which one of them can bed his employer (both single or soon to be single ladies, quite sexy -- Bisset and Woronov) first. If Manuel wins, his friend will pay off his debt to a violent asian street gang -- if he loses, he must play bottom man to his friend!
Lots of raunchy dialogue, fairly sick physical humour, etc. But a lot of the comedy is just beneath the surface. Bartel is memorable as a very sensual oder member of the family who ends up taking his sexy, teenaged niece on a year long "missionary trip" to Africa.
Hilarious fun.
Lots of raunchy dialogue, fairly sick physical humour, etc. But a lot of the comedy is just beneath the surface. Bartel is memorable as a very sensual oder member of the family who ends up taking his sexy, teenaged niece on a year long "missionary trip" to Africa.
Hilarious fun.
Very Funny
deenariley-4987016 July 2020
Scenes From A Class Struggle in Beverly Hills is probably the classiest film on Paul Bartel's resume, but don't let that deter you. The script is just as uproarious and irreverent as many of his other films, but it has a professional gloss that many of his other films don't have.
It stars Jaqueline Bisset as Clare, a washed up former sitcom star whose husband has just died from autoerotic strangulation, leaving her feeling like she needs to make a big change in her life. Everything boils over during a fateful weekend at her mansion where her friends and family expose their own failings, kinks, and desires.
With a colorful cast including Ed Begley, Jr, Wallace Shawn, Mary Woronov, Robert Beltran, Ray Sharkey, and Bartel himself, it's hard not to enjoy this film. Each character has their moment to shine and a few funny bits to land. If there's any flaw, it's that the film feels a little overlong in places.
It stars Jaqueline Bisset as Clare, a washed up former sitcom star whose husband has just died from autoerotic strangulation, leaving her feeling like she needs to make a big change in her life. Everything boils over during a fateful weekend at her mansion where her friends and family expose their own failings, kinks, and desires.
With a colorful cast including Ed Begley, Jr, Wallace Shawn, Mary Woronov, Robert Beltran, Ray Sharkey, and Bartel himself, it's hard not to enjoy this film. Each character has their moment to shine and a few funny bits to land. If there's any flaw, it's that the film feels a little overlong in places.
Paul Bartel's Best
VerhoHo13 August 2000
I can't believe the user rating for this great film is so low! This is Paul Bartel's best film. It is a fantastically clever remake of "Rules of the Game" and is secretly beloved by film academics around the world. It is beautifully shot, well performed by an amazing cast and very well written. If you are a true fan of cinema, this one must not be missed. Hey Criterion, this film deserves a special edition DVD, get on it!
Another offbeat satire from the writer/director of "Eating Raoul"
a_chinn24 December 2017
Paul Bartel's final film as both writer/director feels consistent with his earlier black comic outings ("Death Race 2000," "Eating Raoul," etc.). Set in Beverly Hills among the rich and beautiful, the film follows a houseboy and a chauffeur betting who their recently widowed employer, Jacqueline Bisset, will bed next. The cast is a good one, which includes Ray Sharkey, Mary Woronov, Ed Begley Jr., Wallace Shawn, Bartel, Paul Mazursky, Barret Oliver, and an uncredited Little Richard, but it's really Bartel's unique voice as co-writer/director that makes this farcical sex comedy uniquely enjoyable. Bartel's plot set-up could easily have been a standard 80s sex comedy along the lines of "Class" or "My Tutor," but Bartel's exaggerated soap opera tone to the boundary pushing humor make it a hilariously mannered comedy that doesn't feel far off from John Waters. Bartel's films are never ones that were intended to appeal to a wide audience, but for those who do enjoy his offbeat satirical style, this is quite enjoyable.
Shapeless social satire
gridoon20249 June 2019
Cult figure Paul Bartel probably hoped for mainstream acceptance with this film, but it actually had the opposite effect; it practically stopped his movie-directing career in its tracks. And it's not hard to see why: the film lacks a dramatic center of gravity - it has nothing to compel you to keep watching apart from the familiar names in the cast. It's basically a bedroom farce that builds to some "outrageous" events which could hardly be considered shocking in 1989. It's not terrible - just terribly pointless. *1/2 out of 4.
Class Act - Funny, Sexy and Satirical
ninjaalexs21 November 2021
The illegitimate son of John Waters and the father of Todd Solondz. Neil LaBute with the austere edge. These are some comparisons I've invented to describe this film.
The plot is straight out of a lavish 80s soap opera. Chicano manservant and a body building chauffeur make a bet to see which one can bed their female boss first.
Films about sex are rarely sexy. Scenes manages to be tongue in cheek and surprisingly graphic in its handling of sex, but also funny with it. By going for a campy approach it manages to avoid the usual trappings of being boring. By comparison black comedy, The Opposite Of Sex was more subtle, but h had zero laughs for me. I was also reminded of Clueless another store about middle class suburbia, but without the acrid, briney tang.
Class Struggle is hilarious and biting with its satire and managed to be more than just a send-up of bad Soap Operas and Sitcoms. It has actors who are in on the joke and understand the absurdity of the material and a strong script with genuine heartfelt drama as well as a high hit rate for funny one liners.
The plot is straight out of a lavish 80s soap opera. Chicano manservant and a body building chauffeur make a bet to see which one can bed their female boss first.
Films about sex are rarely sexy. Scenes manages to be tongue in cheek and surprisingly graphic in its handling of sex, but also funny with it. By going for a campy approach it manages to avoid the usual trappings of being boring. By comparison black comedy, The Opposite Of Sex was more subtle, but h had zero laughs for me. I was also reminded of Clueless another store about middle class suburbia, but without the acrid, briney tang.
Class Struggle is hilarious and biting with its satire and managed to be more than just a send-up of bad Soap Operas and Sitcoms. It has actors who are in on the joke and understand the absurdity of the material and a strong script with genuine heartfelt drama as well as a high hit rate for funny one liners.
Bartel satire soap
SnoopyStyle3 November 2018
In the ritzy Beverly Hills neighborhood, Clare Lipkin (Jacqueline Bisset) is a widower haunted by the ghost of her husband. She and her daughter Zandra don't get along. Her friend Lisabeth Hepburn-Saravian (Mary Woronov) moves in as her home is getting fumigated. Lisabeth's brother Peter (Ed Begley Jr.) arrives for a visit with his new bride To-Bel. Juan (Robert Beltran) works for Clare and he's in debt to unsavory characters. Lisabeth's driver Frank suggests a different way to make money and then makes a bet with Juan on being the first to bed their employer.
Paul Bartel is a specific kind of filmmaker with his cast of actors, Woronov being his primary partner in crime. This is a social satire black comedy. Only I didn't laugh once. There are too many characters. It's an intertwining ball of sexual desires. The acting is deliberately broad and quite frankly deliberately bad. It gets tiring to watch so much deliberate fake acting that it becomes hard to distinguish from real bad acting. Rebecca Schaeffer's murder soon after the release also leaves a dark shadow hanging over this movie. This bundle of soapy interconnected mass of people holds no appeal. It's not surreal enough to be outrageous. It's not comedic enough to be funny. The social satire isn't sharp enough to bite. Bartel is not for everybody and in this case, it's not for me.
Paul Bartel is a specific kind of filmmaker with his cast of actors, Woronov being his primary partner in crime. This is a social satire black comedy. Only I didn't laugh once. There are too many characters. It's an intertwining ball of sexual desires. The acting is deliberately broad and quite frankly deliberately bad. It gets tiring to watch so much deliberate fake acting that it becomes hard to distinguish from real bad acting. Rebecca Schaeffer's murder soon after the release also leaves a dark shadow hanging over this movie. This bundle of soapy interconnected mass of people holds no appeal. It's not surreal enough to be outrageous. It's not comedic enough to be funny. The social satire isn't sharp enough to bite. Bartel is not for everybody and in this case, it's not for me.
An under-appreciated gem
inframan5 December 1998
This movie is outrageous, funny, ribald, sophisticated & hits the bullseye where 99 % of Hollywood movies don't even make the target. Paul Bartel should be recognized as one of the great directors of this or any era. He's the American Renoir & Bunuel _ combined!!! Glad I have the videodisc.
Intriguing but disturbing
ivo-gregurec27 December 2017
This type of movies played a big role on creating generations of deranged teenagers in the 90's. The absurdity of the plot is intriguing but it leads to the series of bizarre events which are mix of virtues and moral degradation. This subtile attempt of normalising degeneracy is far more effective than some explicit sexual content.
whip smart satire
moonvine271 June 2006
One of the unsung gems of the 1980's, Scenes... features razor-sharp satire and outstanding performances from Arnetia Walker (how did she not get a ton of roles after this?)and Wallace Shawn. It's a delicious send-up of class warfare and the people in those classes. The writing is hilarious and the characters, while not subtle, are nuanced. And, sorry, but the Asian gangs (if you can call one Japanese guy extorting one of the other characters a "gang") were not put in for "sociological value" as another review implies they should been. The value here lies in what the movie is making fun of and in the sparklingly wicked way it does it. I found it creative, funny, and idiosyncratic.
A tongue-in-cheek look at love and honor in a valueless culture.
Torch-629 January 1999
Pre-Voyager Robert Beltran and the the often-maligned Mary Woronov are the real stars of this show about the meaning of love and honor among those who know little of either.
While that sounds really dull and serious, keep in mind that this is one of the "sideways" comedies of Paul Bartel, the man who brought us "Eating Raoul," and starring the usual Bartel suspects.
The script is funny, all parts are fully fleshed, these are real people...not anyone I'd want to know personally, for the most part.
While that sounds really dull and serious, keep in mind that this is one of the "sideways" comedies of Paul Bartel, the man who brought us "Eating Raoul," and starring the usual Bartel suspects.
The script is funny, all parts are fully fleshed, these are real people...not anyone I'd want to know personally, for the most part.
Hilarious
cpattison6 August 2005
Saw this movie on its release and have treasured it since. What a wonderful group of actors (I always find the casting one of the most interesting aspects of a film). Really enjoyed seeing dramatic actress Jacqueline Bisset in this role and Wallace Shawn is always a hoot. The script is smart, sly and tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at almost everything "Beverley Hills". Loved Paul Bartel's "doctor" and Ray Sharkey's manservant. This was raunchy and crude, but thank god! Unless you're a prude, I heartily recommend this movie. FYI for anyone who likes to play six degrees of Kevin Bacon, Mary Woronov & Paul Bartel were in "Rock & Roll High School". Mary Woronov and Robert Beltran were in "Night of the Comet" together. They were all three in "Eating Raoul".
Underappreciated masterpiece!
kellytunes-932-1706016 January 2020
I think only people who aren't properly wired up for satire/black comedy and the ones that don't like this. Most of the cast from Paul Bartel's wonderful black comedy, Eating Raoul, are in this. The plot is spectacularly funny, very sexual, and also has a wonderful opening dream scene. Jacqueline Bissett, Mary Woronov, Wallace Shawn, Ed Begley, Jr, Arnetia Walker (who steals the show), Bartel, Paul Mazurskey, Ray Sharkey, Rebecca Schaeffer, the guy who played Raoul in Eating Raoul, and the grandson from Cocoon all turn in stellar performances.
This is truly one of the 5 or 6 funniest films I've ever seen. I'm perplexed as to why it was never released on DVD here in the States.
This is truly one of the 5 or 6 funniest films I've ever seen. I'm perplexed as to why it was never released on DVD here in the States.
A Very Funny Movie
veni_dajets2 March 2011
The movie stayed true to the movies of the 80's. Rarely I can watch the same movie at least more than 2 times a year.
How many movies can place a dozen actors in one movie and still keep you laughing? I enjoyed the one-liners and the various subplots. Sometimes you just want to laugh and watch someone's else weekend for a change. My favorites was (unsavory)Ray Sharkey and (sarcastic)Wallace Shawn. I loved their relationship with each other while using each other to satisfy their needs.
Who needs a long drawn out plot when you just want to laugh? The characters were entertaining for the weekend.
I also caught the last half of the movie on the A & E channel one night and enjoyed it. I finally found it on VHS. This movie is in my top five favorite movies of the 80's along with The Blues Brothers and Caddy Shack.
How many movies can place a dozen actors in one movie and still keep you laughing? I enjoyed the one-liners and the various subplots. Sometimes you just want to laugh and watch someone's else weekend for a change. My favorites was (unsavory)Ray Sharkey and (sarcastic)Wallace Shawn. I loved their relationship with each other while using each other to satisfy their needs.
Who needs a long drawn out plot when you just want to laugh? The characters were entertaining for the weekend.
I also caught the last half of the movie on the A & E channel one night and enjoyed it. I finally found it on VHS. This movie is in my top five favorite movies of the 80's along with The Blues Brothers and Caddy Shack.
Mary Moronov.
free-323 October 2001
A long time ago, I watched this movie from the middle on cable. I then had a crush on Mary Moronov. I saw her again in Eating Raoul. I was convinced that she's the hottest woman on screen.
I maybe biased about this movie. 9 out of 10.
This's the only movie I own on original tape.
I maybe biased about this movie. 9 out of 10.
This's the only movie I own on original tape.
Rococo rondelay
matt-20118 June 1999
Great title; and in its day Bruce Wagner's extravagantly purple dialogue made a lot of eyes widen. In his fiction, Wagner scales astonishing heights of cruelty and scabrousness, but writing a SHAMPOO-style rondo, he seems miscast; it's as if Terry Southern had ambitions of being Ernst Lubitsch. There are savory performances generously sprinkled: Paul Mazursky is the wistful shade of a TV producer, brought by lust back to this mortal coil, and Wallace Shawn makes a sumptuous entrance, flanked by two LAPD officers, telling his hostess, "These perverse gentlemen have made a slanderous assertion."
Overlooked, underrated 1980's black comedy
bb7411 January 2024
This is one of the funniest movies made in the 1980's that unfortunately did not get a wide release, resulting in it being overlooked. It premiered on HBO shortly after its release date. Great acting with a good script that keeps you engaged, interested and laughing.
The film's cast is probably its biggest strength - Jacqueline Bisset, Arnetia Walker, the late Ray Sharkey, Robert Beltran, Mary Woronov, and the late Paul Mazursky who does a wonderful performance as Sidney Lipkin. We also see another side of Barret Oliver who played Bastian Bux from The Neverending Story; this was also his final film.
The dark shadow that looms over this film is the murder of the late Rebecca Schaeffer, who was murdered a month and a half after the release of this film. It was this film that enraged Schaeffer's murderer, after he saw her in a scene in bed with another actor (the late Ray Sharkey).
The film's cast is probably its biggest strength - Jacqueline Bisset, Arnetia Walker, the late Ray Sharkey, Robert Beltran, Mary Woronov, and the late Paul Mazursky who does a wonderful performance as Sidney Lipkin. We also see another side of Barret Oliver who played Bastian Bux from The Neverending Story; this was also his final film.
The dark shadow that looms over this film is the murder of the late Rebecca Schaeffer, who was murdered a month and a half after the release of this film. It was this film that enraged Schaeffer's murderer, after he saw her in a scene in bed with another actor (the late Ray Sharkey).
Sick and raunchy - not worth it
SoftKitten8012 December 2004
This movie is so sick and raunchy, just thinking about it makes me think, vulgar. The movie is extremely crude, and rides on the Beverly Hills image to sell the movie. A friend said it is a poor man's Eating Raoul. It is a movie I would like to forget. It has some marketing value for sure since Rebecca Scheaffr was in it. That tragedy has brought a little bit of fame to this movie. Other than using those marketing ploys, I don't recommend this movie to anyone. It is full of stereotypes and you feel like you've just been in a gutter. The party scene toward the beginning is perhaps the most memorable part of the movie. While there are Asian street gangs around, you don't get any kind of sociological value from this movie. No one really acts like they do in the movie, but it has no camp value. The title is the most interesting part of the movie.
It's like Philip Barry meets John Waters.
mark.waltz2 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What a fabulous ensemble. Everyone is having a blast camping it up in this delicious black comedy written and directed by fellow co-star Paul Bartel who knows how to parody daytime and nighttime soap operas just as he did with the other subject matter in his career of pushing subtle bad taste to the limit. The recently widowed Jacqueline Bissett it's surrounded by her large family and staff members and hangers on which includes daughter Marisa Tomei, brother Ed Begley Jr. And his new wife Arnetia Walker (a sassy but big-hearted black woman), neighbor and best friend Mary Woronov, her ex-husband (Wallace Shawn), and horny man servants Ray Sharkey and Robert Beltran. Bartel plays the eccentric family doctor who has a pet dog who has a fabulous reaction when it sees Walker.
Played out to be over the top, this is delightfully funny, especially when the sets dead husband, Paul Mazursky, begins appearing to her envision. Everybody in this large household of wackos has their own secrets and little story, yes there is enough of a classy atmosphere to where it's not like a Charles Busch play. Subtle insinuations of the sexualities of the male servants (with Beltran funny in trying to prove his masculinity and making a fool out of himself) are hinted at with hysterical glee. This is a lavish production that has opening credits that are straight out of a Ross Hunter 50's soap opera, every archetype possible and some great twists. Bissett is a great matriarchal figure with a big heart and certainly no stereotypical rich witch. Woronov is great in a part that a decade later Christine Baranski would be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But Walker walks off with the film, an absolute dreamgirl.
Played out to be over the top, this is delightfully funny, especially when the sets dead husband, Paul Mazursky, begins appearing to her envision. Everybody in this large household of wackos has their own secrets and little story, yes there is enough of a classy atmosphere to where it's not like a Charles Busch play. Subtle insinuations of the sexualities of the male servants (with Beltran funny in trying to prove his masculinity and making a fool out of himself) are hinted at with hysterical glee. This is a lavish production that has opening credits that are straight out of a Ross Hunter 50's soap opera, every archetype possible and some great twists. Bissett is a great matriarchal figure with a big heart and certainly no stereotypical rich witch. Woronov is great in a part that a decade later Christine Baranski would be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But Walker walks off with the film, an absolute dreamgirl.
See also
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