The Big Kahuna 8/10

The Big Kahuna (R) 2000
Reviewer’s Tilt (10)
Adapted Play -91min
Special DVD Features worth a look-None

Virtue is more to be feared than vice,
because its excesses are not subject to
the regulation of conscience.
-Adam Smith

What a premise—Samuel Beckett referees a cage match between Adam Smith and Jesus Christ in a Hospitality Suite in Wichita. Well, not quite. The Big Kahuna is ambitious, however, asking questions such as: What is the meaning of life? Could it be that our simple souls and meager minds are incapable of grasping that life is entirely devoid of meaning? Are capitalism and religion merely our futile attempts to imprint order and meaning onto our lives? First-time director John Swanbeck examines these questions in his big-screen adaptation of Roger Rueff's play, Hospitality Suite. The premise is fantastic, but the execution falls a little short.

Kevin Spacey plays Larry, the consummate salesman, dedicated, honest and a certified “closer.” Danny DeVito plays Phil, an aging, divorced salesman, reexamining his erstwhile understanding of the meaning of life. Peter Facinelli plays Bob, the new guy, recently married, born again and excited about his job. Although their performances are fine, neither Spacey nor Facinelli deliver the internal fervor required of their characters. DeVito, however, steals the show, delivering one of his finest performances ever, and resetting the bar in the “less is more” category. The story evolves in the small Hospitality Suite where the three salesmen for an industrial lubricant company, are on a mission—to land the “Big Kahuna.”

The Big Kahuna is the president of one of the largest manufacturers in the Midwest, and landing his account will make them all heroes. The goal is to draw the Big Kahuna to a reception in their suite and glad hand him into giving them the account. As events conspire against them, they begin to confront each other, chipping away at each other’s most firmly held beliefs. Larry and Bob pit economics against religion, while Phil, the omniscient presence, subtly reveals the true meaning of life. Phil uses scripture, parable and example to explain that religion, economics and all other “Big Kahunas” are red herrings—rationalizations and distractions to avoid accepting the meaninglessness of life. Phil explains that accepting this reality is a seemingly impossible burden, but is the true mark of character. On we plow.

Format: Color, Widescreen Anamorphic, Closed captioned.
Sound: (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Extras: Trailer, recommendations.