Four Eyed Monsters
Advertisement
Sign in
Username   Password         Forgot password?
Wanna join? Tour Spout | Sign up
The Big Kahuna
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rate this movie.

trailerWatch trailer

Rent it, watch it, find it

Advertisement
Directed by John Swanbeck.
Three salesmen working for a firm that makes industrial lubricants are waiting in the company's "hospitality suite" at a manufacturers' convention for a "big kahuna" named Dick Fuller to show up, in hopes they can persuade him to place an order that could salvage the company's flagging sales. Phil (Danny DeVito) is in his mid-50s; he's devoted his life to his job but emotionally has little to show for it. He's learned to live with the loneliness of a salesman's life, but is smarting over the recent collapse of his marriage and is trying to quit drinking. Bob (Peter Facinelli) is a quiet but observant newcomer in his 20s, recently married and adjusting to his first business trip. And Larry (Kevin Spacey) is a bundle of energy who likes to drink, smoke, and start arguments; he's openly confrontational with Phil and Bob and quick to pick up on their foibles and failings. Phil and Larry become more impatient and bitter as the evening wears on, especially when they learn that "the big kahuna" already dropped by the suite; wearing someone else's name tag, he had a few drinks, talked with Bob about the recent death of his dog and Christianity, and never mentioned placing an order. Screenwriter Roger Rueff based the script on his play Hospitality Suite; Kevin Spacey was a co-producer as well as starring as Larry. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
[more]

Be the first to review this movie!

Write a review

Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
is neutral about it.
John Swanbeck's film adaptation of Roger Rueff's play Hospitality Suite is a thoughtful, sharply written, and entertaining, if less than original, take on the conflicts of commerce and religion as played out by a trio of industrial lubricant salesmen. Intent on capturing a figure they've dubbed "The Big Kahuna" as a client, the cynical Larry (Kevin Spacey) and the battered, desperate Phil (Danny DeVito) try to impress the importance of their mission on innocent new guy Bob (Peter Facinelli), while schooling him in some of the less savory aspects of their trade. The script, which has overtones of Waiting for Godot, The Iceman Cometh, and Death of a Salesman, carries far less weight than those classics, and could probably best be described as Mamet "lite." Yet, as the humorous interplay of Spacey's dialogue with DeVito reveals the emptiness of their lives, the juxtaposition of each of them with the deeply religious Bob yields even greater moments of comic epiphany. As befits its stage origins, the film is mostly confined to one location, a hotel room, which only intensifies the drama. Spacey gives a sly, diabolical performance in a role he wears like a cashmere coat, and DeVito is wonderful as his hangdog foil. While not quite playing in this league, Peter Facinelli is able to hold his own in the pivotal role of Bob. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
 

Community ratings

mavens
Spout mavens
are neutral about it.
most people
Most people
are neutral about it.

Other opinions

pariah
pariah
loved it.
Aaron_H
Aaron_H
loved it.
blink278
blink278
loved it.
nimbus39
nimbus39
disliked it.
joywithsunshie
joywithsunshie
disliked it.
thunderunner
thunderunner
disliked it.