"The Big Kahuna" Review

"The Big Kahuna"

Credits:

Released 1999 by Universal

Director: John Swanbeck

Writer: Roger Rueff, Adapted from his play "Hospitality Suite"

Producers: Kevin Spacey, Elie Samaha, Andrew Stevens,

Category: Drama

Rating: R (for language) THREE STARS***

Starring:

Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli

The Review...

Probably the biggest controversy, after seeing this movie, remains: "Who was/is the Big Kahuna?" And, after reading all the reviews on the film, you will find very few who agree.

Picture three very different marketing reps (salesmen) for a large industrial lubricant corporation, who are hosting a Hospitality Room in a local Wichita, Kansas hotel. Larry (Kevin Spacey) and Phil (Danny DeVito) are long time friends and co-workers with one goal in mind...to sell their wares to a local businessman.

Along for the ride is the newest and most naive addition to the group, Bob (Peter Facinelli) whose priority, unlike his cohorts, is to enlighten others regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ. For Bob, selling is a sideline, a means by which he might support himself and his faithful bride. Bob is young, inexperienced and tends to sit in judgment quite frequently, not only of his brethren salesmen, but others, as well. In his short stay on Earth, he has already learned all the answers and is determined to plot his course putting Jesus first, not only in his life, but everyone else's, as well.

Larry (Spacey) on the other hand, in keeping with his usual powerful performance, when presented with the right vehicle, is the epitome of the cocky, super salesman who is focused on nothing more in life but enjoying "the moment" and padding his bankroll. His eloquence is blended with sarcasm and moments of sheer brilliance when he dresses down those he feels are overstepping their personal bounds.

But it is Danny Devito (as Phil) who steals the show, in spite of Spacey's and Facinelli's outstanding performances, with his patient portrayal of the personality who is the happy medium between his co-workers. Somewhere in the midst of all the dialogue, which is both intense and abundant, Devito's character simply listens, and in that listening, sees both sides of the issues at hand, and in turn, he too, questions what Life is all about.

Credit must be given to the author of the original play and the screenplay, Roger Rueff, for tackling a subject matter which has been so aptly covered by such other greats as Arthur Miller in "Death of a Salesman" and David Mamet of "Glengary Glen Ross" fame. While Rueff may not quite equal their two talents at this early stage, he is definitely headed in the right direction with his insightful and verbal acrobatics.

The biggest lesson to be learned here is that everyone, in some way, is a salesman. Every day, with stories, arguments, actions and/or discussions, we're all selling something. Whether it's a political opinion, a religious belief, or simply one's image, everyone has his or her own pitch. For this reason, The Big Kahuna succeeds, describing the world many of us inhabit in a provocative fashion and inspiring a new appreciation for the likes of salesmen everywhere.

And so, the question remains: "Exactly who was The Big Kahuna?" While the film itself may imply that it was the Wichita businessman the salesmen were after, it was simple logic to me that the author had a much more omnipotent figure in mind!

Of particular note: The closing song with spoken words called "Everyone's Free (to Wear Suncreen)", as recorded by Baz Luhrmann, is particularly moving and contains text that we should all strive to live by on a daily basis.