# Big Kahuna, The (1999)

### reviewed by
Frankie Paiva

    The Big Kahuna

    rated R
    90 minutes
    Lions Gate Films
    starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Peter Facinelli
    written by Roger Rueff from his play
    directed by John Swanbeck

    A Review by Frankie Paiva

Plays that become movies usually have a different feel than normal pictures. Few rise above the play on film point, and most often those who see it onstage like it the best. The strange Parker Posey comedy The House of Yes comes to mind when thinking of the unsatisfactory play to film movie cooked up by several independent studios. The Big Kahuna is the same in lots of ways. It takes away any chance for visual originality and instead puts the movie on the shoulders of the actors. Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Peter Facinelli brilliantly play the main characters. Add Roger Rueff’s smart adaptation of his play to the mixture. The result is a comedy turned drama that asks serious questions and forces the audience to think. It never dips below the satisfactory mark.

Larry (Kevin Spacey), Phil (Danny DeVito), and Bob (Peter Facinelli) represent an industrial lubricant sales company. They are attending a convention in a Kansas hotel. Larry is an individual who is not afraid to be frank when talking to people. He often voices his opinion loudly and says what’s on his mind. Phil is an alcoholic who is starting to lose interest in the lubricant business. He is Larry’s best friend and acts in a middle child way. He rarely participates in Larry’s oral sparring matches and tries to promote peace with himself and others. Bob is a young, devout Baptist whose religious and traditional ways clash with Larry’s beliefs. All three are hoping to catch the grand kahuna. A deal with a company so big, it would put their tiny business on the map. As the search for the kahuna goes on, the characters begin to search inside themselves for answers to their confusion about life, mortality, and the heavens.

It may take place almost entirely in a hospitality suite, but The Big Kahuna is never boring or familiar. Things are constantly changing for the trio and the script moves around as well. What starts as a wickedly sharp comedy ends as a solemn and meaningful drama. There is not as much tension as the recent one room drama Deterrence, and in the end that is a better thing. The film always moves along in a relaxed and comfortable way. Kevin Spacey is marvelous as fast-talking Larry. His performance reminds one that he is not only a great leading man, but a creative character actor as well. Danny DeVito makes a wonderful recovery from Drowning Mona and Screwed. His redemption here gives hope for his next movies. Peter Facinelli is excellent as well. While he has been bad in bad movies (like Can’t Hardly Wait or Supernova) he shows the excellent promise here that he exhibited in Dancer, Texas Pop. 81. When the actors work together, they create a fantastic chemistry unseen in recent movies.

The questions asked and advice given from character to character is unparalleled. Among the subjects examined are life, death, fidelity, and God. Everything has such an air of truth to it. A character will handle and often defend their position when met with a judgement of himself in a real way. Nothing ever feels fake, and the depth that’s reached is astonishing.

This is a verbal movie of conflicting views. Despite being a tad slow near its end, it is always interesting and perfectly fits its short running time. The acting is superb, and the script well written. The Big Kahuna should be a pleasing surprise for adults. It has the rare qualities of being smart, poignant, and reality based. This is a true wonder indeed.

    A-

    Frankie Paiva
    SwpStke@aol.com
    http://www.homestead.com/cinemaparadise/mainpage.html

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