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Movies / On DVD / The Big Kahuna
The Big Kahuna

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The Big Kahuna (1999)

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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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Aug 29, 2000

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Big Kahuna

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41 - 60 (sorted by date)
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Seems trapped between theatre and cinema, with nobody around to chew its leg off.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ed Kelleher
Ed Kelleher
Film Journal International

Spacey and DeVito are at the top of their game.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
01/01/00
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis Mitchell
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Blunt Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Blunt Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

It's smart, funny and insightful and it's quite easy to see what attracted the stars to it.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Ernest Hardy
Ernest Hardy
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

John Swanbeck has made a notable debut with The Big Kahuna.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Fiona Ng
Fiona Ng
Hollywood.com

Rather thin, derivative, obvious stuff, invigorated only by the quality of performance.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
01/01/00
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

What you will find are standout performances from each actor and subject matter that will evoke debate long after the movie has ended.

comment Comment
01/01/00
George Thomas
George Thomas
Beacon Journal

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Kahuna falters in its attempts at profundity or dynamic social commentary.

comment Comment
01/01/00
J. Rentilly
J. Rentilly
TNT's Rough Cut

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The performances are first-rate, particularly that of DeVito as The Big Kahuna's version of Willy Loman.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Mathews
Jack Mathews
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY

Despite my reservations about Spacey's performance, the film is generally very well acted.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jay Boyar
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel

It's no meal, but it'll tide you over.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If talk really is cheap, then The Big Kahuna must be one of the most inexpensive films ever made.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
01/01/00
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

DeVito's performance is as commanding as Spacey's, albeit a good deal quieter.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee
 
 
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