The Big Kahuna (1999)

Simply Perfect

Overrated

Fresh and Exciting

Absolutely the worst movie.

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.

From his entrance in the opening to somewhere in the second act, Kevin Spacey's performance in "The Big Kahuna" was akin to a ripcord being pulled and our job was to watch him go. But as the film wore on, it was Devito who pulled out the really memorable performance. The one that sticks with you. The one who gives the film its center. He's the one that leaves you staring at the screen in awe. "The Big Kahuna" is a compelling character piece, the lion's share of which takes place within the confines of a hotel suite; three salesman stressing over a potential client. Facinelli's the guy tasked with holding his own against the other two acting titans, and thanks to the framework of his character, he does. This "little" movie has roller-coaster ups and downs, and I had no idea where the story would end up. But it was riveting storytelling that made sure I stuck it through to the end to find out. I mean, DeVito, my god. The guy was incredible!7/10

So what was Kevin Spacey thinking? Seems to me he was hoping for a successful re-has of "Glengarry Glen Ross". the end result however really isn't as good, due to its very uninteresting writing.Problem with this movie is really its story. It's just not interesting enough. This movie would had been a great one if it actually was about something. The movie doesn't have some life lessons in it and the movie and its story are more aimed toward the characters and actors portraying them The movie also isn't really a character movie though. For that we just never got to know the characters good enough. The movie remains with its characters and emotions pretty much on the surface.It's a movie that got made in a very stagy way. It's also based on a play in fact and it features the type of dialog and slow progressing story you could expect from it. It's also a movie that gets set at mostly one location. Normally I'm never a too big fan of this but there are some successful movies who use this approach as well, as for instance the earlier mentioned "Glengarry Glen Ross" but also the John Huston classic "Key Largo" and the Dutch movie example "Cloaca".Nevertheless it's a movie that becomes good to watching thanks to its acting. Danny DeVito is really good but truly great is Kevin Spacey, though his character in the movie is still the least well developed one. We never fully get to understand his character and he seems to have many different faces, which also doesn't particularly makes his character a likable one.It's a movie that I enjoyed watching, mostly thanks to its acting but it's not one I really liked very much though. Only really recommendable to the true fans of Kevin Spacey or Danny DeVito.6/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

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.