Cat's Eye (1985)

This darkly witty anthology lacks the polished narratives that graced Cujo and Carrie but still manages to offer plenty of mordant delights for the Stephen King aficionado. The film's disjointed framing device of a homeless cat weaving its way through the three stories (reportedly altered for the worse by post-production tampering) doesn't hold things together the way it should but the individual tales have plenty to offer in the way of chills and sly humor: "Quitters, Inc." mixes some wry commentary on the self-help movement into its tale of a mysterious treatment center, "The Ledge" overcomes its pro-forma 'life-and-death bet' scenario with witty dialogue and colorful characterizations and the final untitled tale has plenty of fun playing with the audience's ideas about superstitions. The appeal of Cat's Eye is further enhanced by inspired acting: Drew Barrymore makes for a plucky, likable young heroine in the finale and Robert Hays and Kenneth McMillan infuse their roles in "The Ledge" with a palpable sense of emotional desperation that gives the tale added depth. However, the big scene-stealers in the acting department are James Woods and Alan King, whose solid comic timing and willingness to act on the tale's darker conceits make "Quitters, Inc." a blackly comedic winner. Director Lewis Teague adds plenty of visual wit to the tales (avid Stephen King fans should look for all the film's references to his other works) and keeps things rolling at a speedy, suspenseful clip that is in keeping with the overall playful tone of the stories. In the end, some viewers might be thrown off by the odd framing device and the accent on humor in Cat's Eye but horror fans who can overlook these quirks will be rewarded with an amusing blend of chills and laughs. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide