The Big Kahuna

1999
6.5| 1h30m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 17 November 1999 Released
Producted By: Franchise Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

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.

Genre

Drama, Comedy

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Director

John Swanbeck

Production Companies

Franchise Pictures

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The Big Kahuna Audience Reviews

Scanialara You won't be disappointed!
Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece
AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
wes-connors In a Wichita, Kansas hotel suite, three salesmen wait to make the big deal with a man called Dick Fuller ("The Grand Kahuna"). There is an obvious double meaning in the name "Dick Fuller" and the men sell industrial "lubricants." There are other, more subtle, incidents of wordplay in Roger Rueff's script. It's adapted from the writer's play "Hospitality Suite" (a much better title). John Swanbeck directs it well, bring us closer to the three characters than would be possible on stage, and with enough movement to avoid becoming static. However, there is no reason to get close to these characters and the movie has little business being cinematic...The first unlikeable character is foul-mouthed Kevin Spacey (as Larry Mann). Among other things, Mr. Spacey delights in describing how a man can watch himself wipe better, after discharging his feces, with a three way mirror. Less vulgar is recently divorced smoker Danny DeVito (as Phil Cooper). A tired and sad-eyed "average Joe," Mr. DeVito is trying to stop drinking. Nobody gets drunk. The two middle-aged men are joined by fresh-faced young Peter Facinelli (as Bob Walker). A taller, younger and (arguably) handsomer Tom Cruise type, Mr. Facinelli is also a Christian. He claims Jesus is more important than either Dick Fuller or lubricants...It ends with a "Desiderata"-like rap, which further distances us from the interesting and well-acted trio.***** The Big Kahuna (9/16/99) John Swanbeck ~ Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli, Paul Dawson
SnoopyStyle Two experienced salesman are taking a young guy from the research department under their wing in their hospitality suite. Larry Mann (Kevin Spacey) is a bombastic guy obsessed with landing the big kahuna, a particularly big customer. Phil Cooper (Danny DeVito) is a world wearied veteran. Bob Walker (Peter Facinelli) is a religious kid who is relegated to be the bartender. Unbeknownst to Bob or the other two, Bob strikes up a conversation with the big kahuna but lets him go without giving him a pitch on their industrial lubricant.This is a big juicy part for Kevin Spacey to go off on. However, he's left too much on his own. Danny DeVito is playing down on his energy and much more reserved. It's very much out of his character. After an interesting 3 role first half, the movie turns into a lifeless exchange between Spacey and DeVito. Instead of going off after an interesting start, this movie flattens out into something slightly less. Adapted from a stage play, this never really gets beyond that.
Elswet It is a shame when brilliant performances are wasted on a piece of crap screen play, as is the case with The Great Kahuna. Kevin Spacey and Danny DiVitto are wonderful actors, and nothing here says any different. They both contribute the kinds of quality performances we have come to admire and expect from them.The screenplay, however, deserved none of their labors. It is preachy, and proselytizing tripe, which has no business on any theater screen, much less MY television set. The "story" centers around a deluded rose-colored-glasses kid who still has his head in the clouds and doesn't realize that religion and business do NOT mix. Instead of doing his job, he openly proselytizes with the clients, and then rebels against the disparaging opinions of his betters, when they discover what he has been up to.I was neither amused, nor entertained, though DiVitto and Spacey turned in beautiful performances.It rates a 3.9/10 from...the Fiend :.
Lee Eisenberg Following his Oscar win for "American Beauty", Kevin Spacey starred in the semi-cynical "Big Kahuna", about three businessmen (Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli) trapped in a Wichita hotel room expecting an important client. The movie has the distinct feeling of a play, with the single room setting and emphasis on dialog. It's certainly got an interesting plot, with its look at the unpleasantness of life for traveling salesmen. However, aside from the strange similarity to his role in "American Beauty", Kevin Spacey also sort of repeats his role from "Glengarry Glen Ross".But don't get me wrong, I thought that the movie was worth seeing. Not any kind of masterpiece, but OK.