Soapdish is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Michael Hoffman and written by Robert Harling and Andrew Bergman. The film features an all-star cast including Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Robert Downey Jr., Cathy Moriarty, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Shue, and Teri Hatcher.
The film centers around the behind-the-scenes drama of a long-running daytime soap opera called "The Sun Also Sets." Sally Field plays Celeste Talbert, the beloved star of the show who is unaware that her character is about to be killed off. Montana Moorehead, played by Cathy Moriarty, is a rival soap star who is brought in to replace Celeste's character, much to her chagrin.
Meanwhile, Celeste's former flame, Jeffrey Anderson, played by Kevin Kline, is hired to play the new villain on the show. Jeffrey's arrival sparks tension between Celeste and her current boyfriend, a younger actor played by Robert Downey Jr.
As if that wasn't enough drama, David Seton Barnes, the show's pompous producer played by Garry Marshall, decides to bring Celeste's beautiful young niece, Lori Craven, played by Elisabeth Shue, onto the show to ensure better ratings. Celeste is initially horrified by the idea, but eventually takes Lori under her wing.
The film is a satirical look at the world of daytime soap operas, with plenty of over-the-top acting, melodramatic plot twists, and backstage drama. It was a critical and commercial success, praised for its ensemble cast and sharp writing.
