This stripped-down, no-frills flick was shot in 16 days and seethes with the frantic energy that must have gone into making it.
The Big Kahuna (1999)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:76
Fresh:56
Rotten:20
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: Wonderful adaptation of the stage play.
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: First-time feature director John Swanbeck teams up with producer-actor Kevin Spacey for this big screen adaptation of Roger Rueff's play HOSPITALITY SUITE. The story concerns three lubricant... First-time feature director John Swanbeck teams up with producer-actor Kevin Spacey for this big screen adaptation of Roger Rueff's play HOSPITALITY SUITE. The story concerns three lubricant salesmen who have gathered in a Witchita, Kansas hotel room in order to throw a cocktail party for prospective buyers. They are Larry (Spacey), a harsh, cocky veteran; his partner Phil (Danny DeVito), a passive recovering alcoholic; and Bob (Peter Facinelli), a naïve new colleague whose ethics drive Larry into fits of disbelief. The trio waits for the night's arrivals--most specifically, "The Big Kahuna," a man so wealthy that he has the ability to single-handedly revive Larry and Phil's struggling careers. After the party, Larry and Phil are dumbfounded when they discover that Bob actually spoke to him, only their conversation consisted solely of religious dialogue. Larry sends Bob in search of "The Big Kahuna" with the order that he discuss business if he wants to remain employed. The subsequent hours provide each individual with the chance to exorcise his inner demons once and for all. Limited in its usage of locations, Rueff's big-screen adaptation of his play contains inspired performances from Spacey, DeVito, and Facinelli. [More]
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Danny De Vito, Peter Facinelli
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Danny De Vito, Peter Facinelli
Director: John Swanbeck
Director: John Swanbeck
Screenwriter: Roger Rueff
Producer: Elie Samaha, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Stevens
Composer: Christopher Young
Get This Movie
Reviews for The Big Kahuna
What a charge it is to see the way these three actors get loose and play off each other.
It is off-handed and a fitting reflection of our whatever-with-two-shrugs kind of age.
A well-acted if very stagy adaptation of Roger Rueff's play Hospitality Suite, The Big Kahuna offers lessons that might apply quite nicely to Arthur Miller's pathetic pavement pounder.
The only problem with the film, is that it's more of a play than a cinematic experience.
It's smart, funny and insightful and it's quite easy to see what attracted the stars to it.
Depicts how the ardent Christian faith of a true believer compels his two associates to probe their own ideas and ideals.
What you will find are standout performances from each actor and subject matter that will evoke debate long after the movie has ended.
The performances are first-rate, particularly that of DeVito as The Big Kahuna's version of Willy Loman.
Despite my reservations about Spacey's performance, the film is generally very well acted.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Big Kahuna at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



