Review: The Big Kahuna (1999)
Frankie Paiva
rated R
90 minutes
Lions Gate Films
starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Peter Facinelli
written by Roger Rueff from his play
directed by John Swanbeck
A Review by Frankie Paiva
Plays that become movies usually have a different feel than normal pictures.
Few rise above the play on film point, and most often those who see it
onstage like it the best. The strange Parker Posey comedy The House of Yes
comes to mind when thinking of the unsatisfactory play to film movie cooked
up by several independent studios. The Big Kahuna is the same in lots of
ways. It takes away any chance for visual originality and instead puts the
movie on the shoulders of the actors. Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Peter
Facinelli brilliantly play the main characters. Add Roger Rueff’s smart
adaptation of his play to the mixture. The result is a comedy turned drama
that asks serious questions and forces the audience to think. It never dips
below the satisfactory mark.
Larry (Kevin Spacey), Phil (Danny DeVito), and Bob (Peter Facinelli)
represent an industrial lubricant sales company. They are attending a
convention in a Kansas hotel. Larry is an individual who is not afraid to be
frank when talking to people. He often voices his opinion loudly and says
what’s on his mind. Phil is an alcoholic who is starting to lose interest in
the lubricant business. He is Larry’s best friend and acts in a middle child
way. He rarely participates in Larry’s oral sparring matches and tries to
promote peace with himself and others. Bob is a young, devout Baptist whose
religious and traditional ways clash with Larry’s beliefs. All three are
hoping to catch the grand kahuna. A deal with a company so big, it would put
their tiny business on the map. As the search for the kahuna goes on, the
characters begin to search inside themselves for answers to their confusion
about life, mortality, and the heavens.
It may take place almost entirely in a hospitality suite, but The Big Kahuna
is never boring or familiar. Things are constantly changing for the trio and
the script moves around as well. What starts as a wickedly sharp comedy ends
as a solemn and meaningful drama. There is not as much tension as the recent
one room drama Deterrence, and in the end that is a better thing. The film
always moves along in a relaxed and comfortable way. Kevin Spacey is
marvelous as fast-talking Larry. His performance reminds one that he is not
only a great leading man, but a creative character actor as well. Danny
DeVito makes a wonderful recovery from Drowning Mona and Screwed. His
redemption here gives hope for his next movies. Peter Facinelli is excellent
as well. While he has been bad in bad movies (like Can’t Hardly Wait or
Supernova) he shows the excellent promise here that he exhibited in Dancer,
Texas Pop. 81. When the actors work together, they create a fantastic
chemistry unseen in recent movies.
The questions asked and advice given from character to character is
unparalleled. Among the subjects examined are life, death, fidelity, and God.
Everything has such an air of truth to it. A character will handle and often
defend their position when met with a judgement of himself in a real way.
Nothing ever feels fake, and the depth that’s reached is astonishing.
This is a verbal movie of conflicting views. Despite being a tad slow near
its end, it is always interesting and perfectly fits its short running time.
The acting is superb, and the script well written. The Big Kahuna should be a
pleasing surprise for adults. It has the rare qualities of being smart,
poignant, and reality based. This is a true wonder indeed.
A-
Frankie Paiva
Swp...@aol.com
http://www.homestead.com/cinemaparadise/mainpage.html