Pretty Good

Lack of good storyline.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

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

Danny DiVito, Peter Facinelli and Kevin Spacey really work well together. The serious and soft tone of DiVito, Facinelli's kind and naive portrayal of "Bob" and Spacey's dead pan delivery's throughout make the dialog powerful and riveting. The conversations and the monologues are well written and complement the personality and style of the players they are written for. It is an intriguing look into the lives of cooperate pitchmen with interesting discussions about religion, God and what friendship truly is. I just happened on this movie one day on cable and couldn't stop watching. For a movie that takes place, for the most part, in one room with three men in the style of a stage play it is awesome. Any lover of the cinema or theater this is a must see!!

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

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.