The Big Kahuna

Name: The Big Kahuna
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: April 28, 2000
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey, Peter Facinelli

2000

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Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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The Big Kahuna

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Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: April 28, 2000 | TV-MA

Starring: Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey, Peter Facinelli

Summary: Two veteran industrial lubricant salesmen (Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey) attempt to break-in their enthusiastic young colleague (Peter Pacinelli) while sharing old stories in a hospitality suite at an annual manufacturer's convention in Wichita. All the while they hope they can persuade Dick Fuler, the "Big Kahuna," to place the mother ofTwo veteran industrial lubricant salesmen (Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey) attempt to break-in their enthusiastic young colleague (Peter Pacinelli) while sharing old stories in a hospitality suite at an annual manufacturer's convention in Wichita. All the while they hope they can persuade Dick Fuler, the "Big Kahuna," to place the mother of all orders which could revive their company's pitiful sales.… Expand

Director: John Swanbeck

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas

A drama of extraordinary power and insight with dazzling performances from not only Spacey but also Danny DeVito (who may well be at his best ever) and from newcomer Peter Facinelli. Read full review

Ted Gideonse

It is an intense study of the human condition, and man's relationship with God, aka the Big Kahuna.

Bob Graham

The dialogue is loaded with depth charges that take a while to explode beneath the surface. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

While it's done well enough here - written smartly, staged crisply and acted to the hilt - it doesn't last, except as a brief virtuoso piece for three players. Read full review

Dallas Observer Andy Klein

It doesn't have enough power in the first place to make a strong claim on our attentions. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

DeVito's low-key midlife crisis is consistently moving, but Spacey, saddled with the role of provocateur, is demonically boring. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Feels more like Barry Levinson's "Tin Men" on Prozac. Read full review

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User Reviews

YorkMan

Aug 11, 2016

Interesting film, but incredibly reliant on its source material (a stage play) which does lessen the 'closeness' that a live audience would have.
There's good and bad in that. The good points are the core performances of the three leads, all share screen time and all commit to theirInteresting film, but incredibly reliant on its source material (a stage play) which does lessen the 'closeness' that a live audience would have.
There's good and bad in that. The good points are the core performances of the three leads, all share screen time and all commit to their characters. The narrative is strong, with discussions of religion, life, death, overcoming adversity, and accepting failures. It works well.
The bad points are that the structure doesn't suit a film. As a single set stage-play I would imagine it would be far more electrifying, but over 90 minutes there are long scenes that do lag. Also there was (for me anyway) a muddled subtext. It's clear that the three characters are all meant to have their own sensibilities and we get to understand them, but the pay off at the end is somewhat anticlimactic. As such the movie fails to 'work', even if it's worth watching.… Expand

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